A FUNDING bid to refurbish Bradford Interchange has been approved.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority yesterday agreed to fund £461,400 towards the resurfacing of the station's bus carriageways.

It is the first stage of a £2 million project described as "essential" for the station's future.

The initial money will be used to draw up a full business case for the work, and the plan was discussed by the Authority's West Yorkshire and York Investment Committee this morning.

The funding is coming from the West Yorkshire Transport Plan - a £26.9 million pot of money for transport schemes across West Yorkshire.

It is hoped that in the near future the station could be transformed - ultimately culminating in a high speed rail link at or near the station.

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Other future improvements planned for the Interchange include the pedestrianisation of the station frontage and creation of improved public realm, improved station concourses, the creation of a new taxi turn-around, the creation of a new drop off area and accessibility improvements.

Project manager Nick Fairchild said: "The station is showing signs of deterioration. The cost of regular repairs is starting to become uneconomical when compared to the total resurfacing of the effected areas.

"This is the repair and resurfacing of the carriageway and suspended deck. It will significantly reduce repair costs over the next 10 to 15 years."

He said the work would be phased - meaning the station would remain open during work.

The resurfacing was necessary for the future regeneration of the station - members were told.

Before work starts there needs to be a full survey of the carriageways and their undersides.

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Bradford Council's Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: "This is an essential bit of work. The Interchange is an essential part of our plans to bring Northern Powerhouse Rail to Bradford, so we need to keep the station in good shape."

Work is expected to start in September and be completed by May 2021.