City projects celebrated at construction awards

Three major regeneration projects in Bradford will compete against each other at a construction awards ceremony next month.

Bradford Live, Darley Street Market and the Shipley Sustainable Community Hub are shortlisted in the conservation and regeneration category at the Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards.

Other Bradford projects, including the pedestrianisation of the city centre and repair work to Bradford Interchange, are nominated in other categories.

Alex Ross-Shaw of Bradford Council said the recognition was a "testament to the value that these projects bring to the district".

Bradford Live, which was visited by the King and Queen last month as part of City of Culture celebrations, has started hosting smaller events with a full programme of concerts beginning from August.

Darley Street Market is due to open on 12 July, with Ross-Shaw promising a variety of traders that would "represent the best of Bradford".

The Shipley Sustainable Community Hub, formerly the Kirkgate Centre, reopened in October last year following a £3m restoration.

The Bradford projects will compete against schemes including the refurbishment of Hull's Maritime Museum and Leeds City College Mabgate Campus, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Meanwhile, the pedestrianisation of streets including Bridge Street, Market Street and Hall Ings, as well as the expansion of Norfolk Gardens park by Balfour Beatty, has been shortlisted in the infrastructure project of the year category.

Work by Balfour Beatty to reopen Bradford Interchange after a year-long closure has been shortlisted for the integration and collaborative working award.

The redevelopment of Bradford College's Garden Mills building on Thornton Road by Tilbury Douglas is shortlisted for the building project of the year.

Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "These major Bradford district projects being shortlisted for these awards in so many categories and also for multiple projects to be shortlisted in the regeneration and conservation category is a testament to the value that these projects bring to the district.

"I'd like to thank all those involved in all these projects for their hard work and determination to get the best for the Bradford district and its people and future."

The Constructing Excellence Awards will be handed out at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on 17 July.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.