Bradford Civic Society chair welcomes fences at arches

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the 10 arches in the pedestrian route between Cheapside and Forster Square railway station would be blocked off by three-metre-high decorated panels, with new lighting installed inside.

The work is being 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.

This week, the Council started the first stages of the planned work by erecting fences at the arches.

As previously reported by the Telegraph & Argus, a number of homeless people and rough sleepers regularly used the arches as shelter. 

Si Cunningham, chair of Bradford Civic Society, said: "A lot of people, myself included, will be relieved to finally see the arches at Forster Square fenced off.

Si Cunningham, chair of Bradford Civic Society (Image: Newsquest)

"For many years it has presented an appalling first impression of the city centre, and cannot have been safe or hygienic for those people living there."

Mr Cunningham said the "filthy" arches were not an "appropriate place for people to be sleeping or spending prolonged amounts of time".

"It certainly shouldn't be the job of Council workers to have to clean up human waste or drug paraphernalia on such a regular basis," he added.

Members of Homeless Not Hopeless - a group which offers support to those in need by handing out food, clothing, tents and toiletries - have been left disappointed by the erection of the fences at the arches.

Steven Richardson, from the group, told the T&A "we have no idea what has happened to the people" who often used the arches as shelter.

"That is our main concern," he said. 

"Where are these people now?

"I'm worried we won't be able to find these people in need."

Last month, the T&A spoke to a number of people who used the arches.

One man, called Lee, said: "I've used the arches for a year or so.

"There's a sense of community here - we're like family.

"We feel safe here."

Another man, Paul, said he had used the arches on and off for four-and-a-half years.

He spoke of the difficulties of living on the streets and said he felt safe when he was at the arches.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "The first stages of planned work to enhance the area near Forster Square railway station has started.

"This involves the preparatory work of closing-off the railway arches in preparation for installing gates and new lighting to the arches.

"Our Homeless Outreach Partnership (HOP) has been working closely on a daily basis for months with the people who sleep rough in the arches, to help them access the support that is available for them. 

"Our nine-strong HOP team includes drug and alcohol workers, complex needs workers, and specialists in housing options to offer accommodation and wraparound care."

The Council spokesperson added: "Living in the railway arches is not an appropriate, safe solution for people on the streets, some of whom are the most vulnerable in our society.

"Supporting these people is a key priority for the Council, and we will continue to work with our many partners and associated services to offer a wide range of support to anyone who needs it across the district."

Mr Cunningham also said he wanted to see improvements to the wider area of Forster Square railway station to "woo" more passengers from the Airedale and Wharfedale lines

He urged rail bosses to get the lift at Forster Square railway station working again.

The lift was closed due to water damage earlier this year.

A Network Rail spokesperson previously told the T&A: "We're sorry to passengers at Bradford Forster Square station while our engineers work to repair the water-damaged lift.

"We're working as fast as we can to get the lift back up and running.

"Step-free access to platforms is still available by using the alternative route down Cheapside and past the railway arches."