Rough sleepers to be prevented from using railway arches in city
CITY centre rail arches that are regularly used by rough sleepers for shelter are to be gated off.
The 10 arches in the pedestrian route between Cheapside and Forster Square railway station, Bradford, will be blocked off by three-metrehigh decorated panels, with new lighting installed inside.
The work will be funded by Network Rail, which owns and maintains the arches, and carried out by Bradford Council, which says the changes will lead to a “much improved public realm” around the station.
It will be part of a wider regeneration of Forster Square, which involves a new platform being built later this year.
The empty arches have been used by rough sleepers for years, but in recent months the numerous encampments there seem to have become more established. The council says it will work with homelessness charities to support those who currently shelter in the arches and will be unable to access them once the decorative gates are installed.
But one charity has argued that the new measures would not be needed if there was greater support in preventing people from becoming homeless.
Details of the plan were uploaded to the Government’s Contracts Finder website late last week. The site is used by organisations such as councils to invite businesses to apply for contracts to carry out projects such as public realm work.
The post said: “The scheme is aimed at fencing off a series of 10 stone arches adjacent to Forster Square railway station in Bradford. Anti-social behaviour has become an issue and the authority is looking to block public access by installing 3m high decorative corten panels.
“The authority has developed outline designs for the steel structure upon which these panels are to be attached. However further detail design work is required.” The contract is expected to begin in late May and end in late August.
Forster Square station is the fifth busiest in West Yorkshire, used by two million passengers a year. Earlier this year the Government announced a £24m investment in the station to build a new platform that will allow more direct trains to London.
When asked about the plans to gate off the arches, a Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “As part of station improvements including an additional platform at Forster Square, the condition of the arches is also being addressed.
“Network Rail, who owns the arches, have agreed to fund a scheme to further enhance the area with new lighting and greater security to create a much-improved public realm.”
John Tempest runs Bradford Soup Run, a charity that provides food to the city’s homeless. He said: “I understand why the council is wanting to eliminate all visual aspects of homelessness prior to their City of Culture celebrations next year.
“Maybe if they first addressed the problems of finding homes for the weakest members of society [the homeless]; and then help them find meaningful jobs there would be no need for them to congregate at The Arches.”