Decision to close Bradford Interchange for safety reasons was 'correct' report finds
The transport hub was partially closed earlier this year after some of the concrete structure collapsed
An independent report has backed the decision to close Bradford's Interchange bus station earlier this year for safety reasons.
The transport hub, which also includes a station, was partially closed in January after a large chunk of concrete was found to have fallen out of the underground car park ceiling, located directly beneath the bus station.
All of the bus services have since been re-directed to nearby stops.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority commissioned an expert structural engineer to examine the decision and the overall condition of the building.
Dr Mike Webster found the Combined Authority had “proposed reasonably practicable steps for inspection, testing and assessment to address the uncertainties and assess the risks”
“The condition of the Interchange is compatible with what I would expect of a 50-year-old reinforced concrete structure,” Dr Webster said.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:
“It’s absolutely right that we take a belt and braces approach to the reopening of the Interchange bus station, so I welcome these findings.
“Public safety remains our number one priority – and we are working as fast as we can to ensure Bradford Interchange can safely reopen to bus passengers as soon as possible.”
The Interchange is currently set to fully reopen in January 2025.