City bus station re-opening set for 5 January

The bus station at Bradford Interchange is to fully reopen almost exactly a year after it was closed, it has been confirmed.

The site was shut on 4 January due to structural damage, and a phased reopening is now under way.

At a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) on Thursday, a date of 5 January 2025 was approved for the full reopening of the bus station.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, chairing the meeting, said: "I really do recognise the challenge for the travelling public by this closure and appreciate their patience."

The terminus was closed in early January after a section of concrete fell into the car park underneath the building.

Following the closure, structural surveys indicated the interchange could be safely reopened with "mitigation measures in place".

The lower concourse of the station was re-opened to rail passengers on 28 October.

However, while 23 of the 29 bus stands would reopen in January, six would remain out of action until at least April 2025, the WYCA meeting heard.

Further discussions were still needed over compensation to retailers based at the station, it was told.

The full cost of the closure was expected to be at least £500,000.

At the meeting, Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, emphasised the importance of keeping the public informed while the station was re-opened.

"Constant communication, even if there is very little to say, is going to be vital," she said.

An update on the First Bus website following the meeting read: "We are now working to plan arrangements for the return of services to the bus station and full details will be made available as soon as this is completed."

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