LATEST NEWS: Calls for calm at busy Bradford crossroads amid £12.3m transformation disruption

WORKS on a Bradford junction are causing bus delays of up to 20 minutes - but operators say it will be worth the disruption once the project is complete.

After numerous delays, the long planned £12.3 million Greengates junction works began in July, and are likely to not be completed until next Summer.

A meeting of transport operators and users this week heard that the current works, which involve new traffic management measures and temporary traffic lights, are having knock on problems for bus punctuality in the city.

And this issue is likely to continue at least until Christmas.

Work to the Greengates junction, long acknowledged as one of the most congested junctions in Bradford, will involve the widening of roads, improved pedestrian and cycling crossings, new turning lanes and the creation of a mini link road linking Harrogate Road and New Line.

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Members of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Bradford District Consultation Sub-Committee met on Zoom on Monday afternoon to hear updates on public transport issues in the District.

Andrew Bradley, head of customer services at the Combined Authority, said bus patronage was gradually improving from its low levels during the full lockdown earlier this year, and was currently around 50 per cent of what it would be at this time of year.

However, although buses were busy with school pupils, and shoppers were gradually returning to buses, passenger levels during the usual morning and afternoon “rush hour” had plummeted due to many former commuters now working from home.

He added: “The main issue in the Bradford area at the moment for buses is bus punctuality, and that is a result of the four way traffic lights at the Greengates Junction, which is causing circa 20 minutes delay to bus services at present.

“This is likely to continue from now until after Christmas.

“We have been assured, and are quite confident, that the result will be much better for passengers and bus services. It is the pain before gain.”

New traffic management measures were introduced at the junction on Sunday, with roads reduced to two lanes in both directions.

A release from Howard Civil Engineering, the group undertaking the work, said: “We anticipate that these traffic management measures will be in place for the foreseeable future, certainly throughout the Christmas period. Please allow extra time for travel when passing through the junction.

“We apologise in advance for any disruption and delays which you may encounter as a result of these works and thank you for your continued patience and understanding.”

Alan Isherwood, General Manager for Transdev, was confident the works would eventually lead to much better bus services. He said: “The Greengates lights are causing problems, but the works will be helpful in the future.”