Morgan Sindall Construction has been awarded the £17.3m construction contract to redevelop Forster Square Railway Station
The £17.3m redevelopment of Forster Square Station will include a new station building, lift and staircase tower to Cheapside and Manor Row.
The new, enhanced building would incorporate the arches behind the station and provide a new cafe, information centre, new toilets and seating, parking for 75 cars and a community garden and meadow area.
New ‘pods’ are to be installed in four of the old railway arches to provide extra facilities which could include a newsagent’s, cycle parking, a mess room for rail staff and a storage room for equipment for the community garden.
Funded through the Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, the redevelopment of Forster Square Station will also create better access to the city centre and the nearby Broadway shopping centre.
Forster Square Station consultation
Feedback from a consultation on the proposals by Bradford Council and WYCA, Network Rail and train operator Northern revealed that 86% of respondents either approved or strongly approved of the improvements.
The plans complement the recently announced Transforming Cities Fund bid plans for four major transport schemes in Bradford city centre. The four plans include improvements to Bradford Interchange, a park and ride at south Bradford, an extension to the City Connect cycle route to the west of the city and a package of measures in the city centre.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, commented: “We’re delighted to be able to be making this announcement that will take this much-needed redevelopment project for the city centre another step forward.
“The proposals will improve connectivity between the station and the top of town area of the city centre and provide an impressive and welcoming gateway to Bradford city centre for commuters, shoppers and visitors.
“They also complement the plans recently announced as part of the Transforming Cities Fund bid and the plans for more train services between Bradford and London in the near future.
“We look forward to working with Morgan Sindall Construction to develop the proposals further including preparation of a planning application for the new station in the New Year.”
Andy Hall, managing director of Morgan Sindall Construction – Yorkshire and North East, added: “The redevelopment of Forster Square Station is a landmark project for Bradford, and we’re delighted to have been appointed to work with the Council to help fulfil its exciting vision for a key gateway to the city.
“We are committed to creating employment and training opportunities for local people through our work on the project, and we look forward to collaborating with local organisations in order to ensure our presence leaves behind a skills and education boost for the people of Bradford.”
The Forster Square Railway Station redevelopment is expected to start in early 2021.
