Interchange closure was correct decision, expert says, as plans to reopen bus station continue at pace

07 October 2024

An independent expert has confirmed that the decision to close Bradford Interchange at the start of the year on safety grounds was the correct one.

Dr Mike Webster, a forensic structural engineer, has also backed a report which found the risk of resuming operations at the bus station is low, subject to control measures being in place.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is still working at pace on plans to bring the structure back into operation by January 2025.

The Combined Authority commissioned an in-depth report into the condition of the building after some concrete fell in the basement in January.

Public safety has been the number one priority throughout, so to ensure that Combined Authority is making a fully informed decision on reopening, it asked Dr Webster to examine the report and the steps it has taken so far.

Dr Webster backed the conclusions of structural engineering firm Jacobs, and said the Combined Authority had “proposed reasonably practicable steps for inspection, testing and assessment to address the uncertainties and assess the risks” ahead of reopening.

The findings will be discussed at the Combined Authority's Transport Committee on October 14.

Dr Webster’s report paves the way for the Combined Authority to take a final decision to reopen by January at its next full meeting in a few weeks.

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.”