Closure of Bradford Interchange bus station appalling, says mayor

West Yorkshire’s mayor said the closure of Bradford Interchange bus station was “horrendous at times”.

The ongoing problems caused by the bus station closure were discussed by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) at a meeting on Thursday.

The authority previously announced that surveys of the structure were underway to determine whether it could be repaired or should be replaced.

The mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “It’s been awful at times, but we’re focused on making things as easy as possible.”

The station was closed earlier this year for safety reasons following the collapse of concrete in an underground parking area.

Mrs Brabin added: “The people of Bradford have shown great patience.

“It’s been really hard and I know people are very, very frustrated.

“We want to reassure the public that we are working firmly with partners to make the right decision about the future of the Interchange, keeping in mind the critical importance of public safety.”

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said people in the city were “very frustrated”.

“We want to see plans in place regardless of the outcome of the polls.

“When this happens, we want to implement the right solution immediately.

“It can’t happen soon enough,” she added.

Dave Haskins, interim director of transportation operations at WYCA, said potential sites for a temporary bus stop for the city are being looked at and the goal is to find a site that can be “delivered quickly.”

Leeds councilor Alan Lamb said: “Everyone appreciates that these are long-term issues, but what has been reported to me is how difficult it is at the moment for passengers.

“I’ve heard of bus users in tears because they don’t know where to get their bus.

“Is there any way to put more bodies on the ground so that those struggling passengers have someone to go to?”

He was told that work to improve passenger services was ongoing.