A BRADFORD group which helps rough sleepers and homeless people has raised major concerns about the gating off of city centre rail arches regularly used as shelter by those in need. 

The 10 arches in the pedestrian route between Cheapside and Forster Square railway station will be blocked off by three-metre-high decorated panels, with new lighting installed inside.

The work will be funded by Network Rail, which owns and maintains the arches, and carried out by Bradford Council, which said the changes would lead to a "much improved public realm" around the station.

Steve Richardson, of the Homeless Not Hopeless group - which supports rough sleepers - said he was worried where those who use the arches would go once the gates are installed.

He told the Telegraph & Argus: "I'm very, very concerned about this and the effect it's going to have on rough sleepers in Bradford.

"The arches are a safe place for people to sleep. 

"They're a place where they can congregate together, they're sheltered.

"I'm really concerned that once the gates go up, these people are basically going to be swept away to who knows where.

"I'm worried we won't be able to find these people in need - we know these people, we know their names, we know their circumstances. Many have tragic stories to tell.

"We help to provide things like food, clothing, first aid.

"We see up to 150 people when we're out on Wednesday nights.

"Where are they all going to go?"

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The arches which will be gated off The arches which will be gated off (Image: T&A)

Mr Richardson urged national Government to do more to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness.

"They could do it if they really cared," he said.

"National Government could solve this ongoing crisis."

A Government spokesperson said: "We are determined to end rough sleeping for good and we have a plan to tackle the root causes of why people end up on the streets, backed by an unprecedented £2.4billion."

Mr Richardson said that Homeless Not Hopeless would continue to support those in need.

The group meets at the Simes Street car park, at the junction of Manningham Lane, every Wednesday from 7pm.

"Homeless people, rough sleepers, anyone having a tough time, can come here for support from our service," Mr Richardson said. 

Details of the arches plan were uploaded to the Government's Contracts Finder website earlier this month.

The site is used by organisations such as Councils to invite businesses to apply for contracts to carry out projects such as public realm work.

The post said: "The scheme is aimed at fencing off a series of 10 stone arches adjacent to Forster Square railway station in Bradford. Anti-social behaviour has become an issue and the authority is looking to block public access by installing 3m high decorative corten panels.

"The authority has developed outline designs for the steel structure upon which these panels are to be attached. However, further detail design work is required to complete the design."

It said the contract is expected to begin in late May and end in late August.

Forster Square railway station is the fifth busiest in West Yorkshire, used an average of two million times a year.

Earlier this year, the Government announced a £24million investment in the station to build a new platform that will allow more direct trains to London.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said it would allow more trains to come to the city in time for Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations in 2025.

This will be followed by the long-planned regeneration of the station.

When asked about the scheme to gate off the arches, a Bradford Council spokesperson said: "As part of station improvements including an additional platform at Forster Square, the condition of the arches outside the station is also being addressed. 

"Network Rail, which owns the arches, has agreed to fund a scheme to further enhance the area with new lighting and greater security to create a much-improved public realm."

Referring to the rough sleepers who regularly occupy the site, they added: "The Council will continue to work with homelessness agencies and local charities to ensure those currently using the arches have the support they need to address health and wellbeing issues and access settled accommodation wherever possible."

The empty arches have been used by rough sleepers for years.