A SCHEME to re-vamp Bradford Forster Square Station will progress next year.

The changes would include the replacement of the station building, lift and staircase tower to Cheapside and Manor Row. The larger building would incorporate the arches behind the station and new ‘pods’ installed in the old railway arches to provide extra facilities.

A consultation held this year found that 86 per cent of people were in favour of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority funded project. The cost is predicted to be £17 million.

But after months of little obvious movement on the project, Councillors were this week told the plans were still moving ahead. Julian Jackson, assistant director for planning, transport and highways, mentioned the scheme at a meeting of Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday. He said: “Bradford Forster Square is really important as a gateway for the city. We’re moving towards our main procurement process for that redevelopment scheme, which will take place next year.”