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Highways changes to aid social distancing
The way roads and streets across the district are used is set to change as we prepare to introduce measures to support social distancing during the coronavirus crisis.
Like many cities around the world dealing with lockdown and planning for a post-Covid-19 world, we have been looking at a range of proposals, including temporarily widening pavements and cycle lanes to help people maintain a two metre social distance as they shop, walk or cycle around the district, improving crossings for pedestrians,reducing bottlenecks and slowing vehicle speeds to make the roads safer for cyclists and walkers.
Over the next couple of weeks a first round of measures will be introduced as part of the Council’s response to this challenge:
- Reducing Hall Ings in the city centre to one lane in both directions from Jacobs Well roundabout to Bridge Street to help passengers wait safely for their buses.
- Reducing speed limits in Shipley town centre and on roads near schools to 20mph to help children walk safely to school (June 2020).
- Provide social distancing measures on The Grove in Ilkley to help shoppers access local businesses.
- Widening the footway under the railway bridge at Wheatley Lane in Ilkley.
- Putting down temporary markings on widened pavements to help people queuing to access local shops and businesses maintain appropriate distance from others in the queue.
- Widening of non-segregated cycle lanes on roads.
- Pedestrian crossings at Princes Way and Bridge Street in the city centre have been modified to automatically provide a ‘green man’ crossing signal without the need for people to push the call button. Other crossings are being considered for similar modifications although all pedestrian crossings in Bradford are fitted with detectors which automatically extend the time given for pedestrians to cross the road, which will help with observing social distancing.
- Working in partnership with Capital of Cycling to loan bicycles to key workers and hiring a ‘Cycling and Active Travel Champion’ officer.
- Suspending, initially for 12 months, the £300 charge for an outdoor seating licence for pubs and restaurants.
These initial measures are likely to be followed by additional ideas to help maintain and increase levels of walking and cycling when the lockdown eases.
We are working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and local interest groups to develop these plans.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning & Transport, said: “We don't know how long social distancing will be necessary but we do know that in some locations there isn’t enough space to maintain the recommended two-metre distance. People must be able to walk and cycle safely, whether it's to get to work, for exercise or essential trips to the shops.
“Some of the immediate measures we are announcing today are temporary, but where appropriate, may become permanent. They will not only help us to emerge stronger out of lockdown, but they will also demonstrate the ways in which prioritising sustainable transport, where possible, can contribute to improving the health of our citizens and reducing the district’s carbon footprint in the years to come, in line with our Climate Emergency pledge. People are seeing the benefits of a less car dominated society during lockdown and we want to encourage that.
“We will also be pressing the Government for a Covid-19 response fund to help councils such as Bradford implement these types of measures, as well as asking for a further relaxation of the processes required to promote temporary and permanent Traffic Regulation Orders.
“We will also call on the Department for Transport to provide guidance on sign and road marking designs which can be used on the roads to help maintain social distancing measures, together with granting authorities outside London appropriate enforcement powers to maintain measures and deal with people who do not comply with these new arrangements.”
The Council and its partners are working on a range of projects to support sustainable transport, such as its 20mph zone roll-out, Transforming Cities programme, reopening Queensbury Tunnel, Shipley Streets for People, and City Village and wider redevelopment of Bradford city centre’s ‘top of town’ area.
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Other highways schemes
20mph zone roll-out – In August 2019 Bradford city centre became a 20mph zone, with Shipley town centre and the surrounding streets being rolled out for implementation in the summer. Ilkley town centre has been surveyed and £140,000 was included in the Council’s February 2020 budget to accelerate the roll-out of 20mph zones around schools, with schools in Keighley, Great Horton and City wards already benefiting from the programme.
Transforming Cities – This programme will see Market Street, Hall Ings and part of Bridge Street pedestrianised, while Well Street will re-open for buses only. Norfolk Gardens on Hall Ings will be expanded to take over part of the space currently occupied by road. A dedicated cycleway will be built from the city centre to Thornton and the Great Northern Railway Trail. The NCP car park on Hall Ings will be demolished to create a new frontage to the Bradford Interchange station, and a Park and Ride facility will be created in the south of Bradford with Manchester Road upgraded to have dedicated bus priority infrastructure.
Shipley Streets for People – A £1m programme to deliver more pedestrian-friendly public realm improvements to Shipley town centre, elements considered include widened pavements, more trees and greenery, improved crossings and bus access-only areas
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) – £925,000 for the Top of Town, funding secured to deliver public realm improvements to North Parade and the surrounding streets, including Oastler Square, as the first phase of the planned City Village. Works may include more pedestrian space, improved public realm and more street trees and greenery.
Do you need help or support?
If you need help or have a particular need please ring and talk to one of our friendly team who will take some details and pass them onto the relevant service. Call 01274 431000.
We can help by:
- picking up shopping
- delivering a food parcel to eligible people
- ringing for a friendly chat
- problem solving
See our website for more information about local support and volunteering to help others.
Are you concerned about someone's safety?
If you have a concern about the safety of a child or a vulnerable adult, do not keep it to yourself. Report your concern on the Safer Bradford website. We’re available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Or call:
- For children 01274 435600 (01274 431010 out of office hours)
- For adults 01274 431077 (01274 431010 out of office hours)
- If someone is at immediate risk of harm call 999
Don’t think, “What if I’m wrong?”. Think, “What if I’m right!”
Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work
- Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
Stay safe while out for exercise
Please follow the Government’s advice when leaving your home for exercise and observe the 2 metre rule for staying a safe distance apart. For more information about where you can walk in the Bradford district, and how to stay safe while you do so, visit our public green space and rights of way guidance page.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online. Use the NHS 111 online service if:
- you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
- your condition gets worse
- your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
Use the 111 online coronavirus service at 111.nhs.uk/covid-19/
Helpful links
Government advice: what you need to do
NHS coronavirus advice and information
Bradford district coronavirus advice and information
Support for businesses
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