Detailed plans to redevelop Bradford in line with architect Will Alsop's visionary masterplan have met with a mixed reaction.

Two of the four Neighbourhood Development Frameworks for city centre areas known as the Markets and the Channel were put out for consultation by Bradford Council in March.

A wide range of public feedback is detailed in a newly-released Council report which will be used when planners draw up the far-reaching city centre action plan in September.

Dave Preece, Bradford Council's group planning manager, said: "The comments made by the public will carry considerable weight and will be fed into the process of producing the new city centre area action plan."

During consultation, the idea of an iconic footbridge spanning Drewton Road proved to be one of the most divisive aspects of the Markets Neighbourhood Development Frame-work.

Some of the 225 people who attended an exhibition on the plan feared the proposed Northgate Bridge would be used by people wanting to throw missiles onto the road below.

But others said the bridge would be an ideal way of creating stronger and easier pedestrian links between communities in Manningham and the city centre.

People's desire to see traffic reduced and parking improved in the markets area was another key point to emerge.

And a bus loop around the city centre to enhance links between the top and bottom of Bradford was warmly received. But some said that journey times in the city centre would have to be reduced to make the service effective.

There were also calls for through traffic to be removed from Westgate and Godwin Street.

The concept of a World Mile of specialist shops stretching from Ivegate to Whetley Hill produced excitement, with one resident suggesting that Victorian-style canopies over shops and markets would add to the attraction.

Fewer people came forward to comment on the Channel Neighbourhood Development Framework, with 39 visitors attending a three-day exhibition.

Re-introducing water to the city centre as part of a massive waterside development received a largely positive response.

But some said the basin would simply attract rubbish something strongly denied by Bradford Channel Limited.

Traffic issues in Little Germany were raised as a concern, with some residents not wanting to see Stott Hill or Church Bank used as major two-way roads through the area.

Meanwhile, the Highways Agency backed the idea of a mixed-use development in the Channel Neighbourhood because it could attract people who would otherwise commute, hence reducing car movements.

One respondent said the canal basin would have to be a welcoming area where people could leave their boats and visit the city's attractions, otherwise it would not be worth negotiating the 11 locks on the re-opened canal.

Mr Alsop's masterplan dissected the city centre into four sections: the Markets, Channel, Bowl and Valley.

Plans for the other two neighbourhoods will go out for public consultation next month.

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

WHAT'S PLANNED FOR WHERE

The Channel Neighbourhood is the northern part of the city centre:

  • housing, retail and water are the main themes of the plan, drawn up by consultants Arup
  • key projects include developing Forster Square station, a public space at Festival Square in Little Germany, an urban village with apartments around a new canal basin and encouraging families to live around Bradford Cathedral
The Markets Neighbourhood covers the Central Mosque, Oastler Centre, Kirkgate Centre, Westgate and Manor Row:
  • key projects include a garden of tranquillity; a new setting for the central mosque; a network of public spaces; a residential community and parking hub
  • a market and specialist shops would be set amid historic buildings
  • a footbridge would be built because the dual carriageway acts as a barrier