City centre congestion 'hotspot' upgrade approved

A £1m project aimed at improving bus journeys and tackling congestion in a traffic "hotspot" in Bradford has been approved.

Bradford Council's decision-making executive backed plans for the Westgate Bus Hotspot scheme, paving the way for work to begin in September.

The scheme will create new bus lanes, improved pedestrian crossings and better cycling facilities along Westgate, one of the city centre's busiest traffic locations.

Richard Gelder, senior highways officer at the authority, said: "Westgate currently suffers from congestion, unreliable bus services and safety concerns.

"The scheme provides a coordinated, funded solution to address these issues and it offers clear benefits to public transport, safety and the wider network."

A report presented to the executive at City Hall on Tuesday said construction was expected to begin in September and be completed by May 2027.

The works include the installation of camera-enforced bus lanes, including an inbound stretch next to Infirmary Fields and in both directions near the former Oastler Centre.

There will also be changes to junction layouts and traffic signals, improved pedestrian crossings, better provision for cyclists and the closure of St Thomas's Road at its junction with Westgate, the authority said.

Existing access to car parks along the road will remain, the report says, while the works will coincide with the first phase of the proposed City Village development.

Presenting the report, Gelder said the scheme formed part of a wider regional transport project and was fully funded through a government-backed investment programme.

"In Bradford we identified key bus hotspots where congestion is holding back public transport," he said.

"Westgate is one of those priority locations."

He said Westgate was "a key congestion point in the city", adding: "At peak times we see delays to bus services, unreliable journey times, pressure on nearby junctions and side roads and safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Put simply, the corridor is not working as efficiently or as safely as it should."

Funding for the scheme was approved by West Yorkshire Combined Authority last year.

A public consultation found overall support for the proposals, although concerns were raised over the closure of St Thomas's Road.

Gelder said there had been five accidents at the junction between 2018 and 2024, with the closure simplifying the junction.

Deputy council leader and Reform UK councillor Andrew Judson urged fellow executive members to back the proposals.

"I am more than happy that this will benefit the area," he said.

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