Petition to seek the pedestrianisation of Market Street, Bradford.
Bradford City centre is currently benefitting from a multi-million pound regeneration scheme and as a result, key areas of the city have undergone a very welcome and positive transformation. Extensive re-developments are the life-blood of any major conurbation, encouraging growth from tourism and new businesses alike.

During several stages of the redevelopment process, certain areas have been pedestrianized, forming thoroughfares and providing easy access to and from the new Westfield shopping centre.

Market Street was once a well frequented and popular shopping area in the past but has been on the decline since the Broadway shopping area was demolished in preparation for the new Westfield development. There are no current plans to redevelop this area however, the area adjacent to Market Street, currently known as ‘Broadway’ is included in the redevelopment program. Work on this transformation will begin shortly and a new and exciting shopping and café culture style environment have been planned.

Regrettably, many of the shops on Market Street stand vacant and in an effort to achieve full occupancy of the aforementioned shops, the local council has offered incentives. This is very encouraging as it does imply that the area can and will once again, become a busy shopping zone.

However, the fact is that the area is currently utilized as a bus route and until this changes, it is unlikely that Market Street can benefit as the Broadway will.

After carrying out a survey of local businesses and public, it is very apparent that the bus route does create a number of problems.

The following issues were mentioned by respondents, as key factors:

During peak times the pavements are gridlocked, forcing pedestrians off roadside curbs into the road,

Wheelchair access is virtually untenable
Entrances to shops become blocked, prohibiting safe entry and exit access,

Several pedestrian and vehicular accidents have occurred as result of the tight bus lanes

Environmental issues such as noise and air pollution are considerable, detracting from a pleasant shopping experience.

This petition is to bring these issues to your attention and request further investigation in to the possibility of pedestrianizing Market Street. There are many significant benefits to Market Street being a pedestrian zone including:

A clear thoroughfare which would link Centenary Square, Kirkgate, Broadway, Xchange and the Westfield shopping centre

Restricting access for non-essential vehicles

The positive promotion of social, cultural and tourism activities

Encourage more shoppers in to the city centre promoting economic growth and retail income

Provide additional planting areas adding to the carbon neutral policies adopted by Bradford City Council

Provide space for kiosks, benches and pergolas

Provide more low level areas for shoppers making the city centre more accessible for a wider demographic

Provide the perfect space for the proposed café culture that has been planned for the city centre.

Encourage more smaller retail outlets in to the area

Market Street deserves your support and we would welcome your endorsement of this petition.