Core Strategy Baseline Analysis Study - Bradford Metropolitan ...

Bradford also has a relatively
competitive position in terms
of its connectivity to wider
destinations. Junction 26 of
the major east-west M62
artery lies only three miles
from the city centre,
connected directly by the
M606. Rail access is good,
with direct services taking
around 20 minutes and
departing about 7 times per
hour. There are also good
direct services down the Aire
Valley to Leeds (and the
centre of Bradford) and from
Ilkley to Leeds. Frequent,
direct rail links are also
available to Manchester and
Map: Highways and Motorways serving Bradford
York. Air links to the district are provided by Leeds Bradford Airport, which lies around six
miles north-east of the city centre.
A key planning objective of the current national and local planning policies is to ensure that
jobs, shopping, leisure facilities and services are accessible by public transport, cycling and
walking. This is also particularly important in terms of social inclusion for people without
access to a car. However, one of the main transport issues for Bradford is the extent to which
developments that attract large numbers of people should be allowed in areas of poor public
transport accessibility. These are normally employment sites where redevelopment is
proposed for either more intensive employment use or for mixed use; for example in the
M606 corridor, which is accessible mainly by car. The impact may be mitigated to some
extent through the effective use of ‘Travel Plan’ initiatives that offer people and businesses a
choice of travel.
There are key services, employment and areas in Bradford, which are poorly served by
public transport, cycling and walking. These include employment sites such as East Bowling
in the M606 corridor as mentioned above, some housing sites in Bingley and Thornton and
areas on the Outer Ring Road. Bradford Royal Infirmary for instance though served by buses
from Bradford City Centre, is poorly accessed by direct bus services from adjacent
residential areas, and areas to the north of the district such as Shipley and Baildon.
9.4 Public Transport
Bus patronage in West Yorkshire has been declining for many years, however rail usage
continues to rise. The number of rail journeys increased by 43% between 1999/2000 and
2005/06 to more than 23 million per year.
299