“Things will only improve when the people – all of us – say to authorities, ‘I will hold you responsible.’ We should all be showing up at city council meetings, lighting up every community.”
Erin Brockovich
The worst kept secret in City Hall was unveiled this week as the Council revealed their approach to the sad decline of Bradford city centre.
It has purchased the Kirkgate Arndale Centre for a reported £15.5m…to knock it down.
Our council likes buying buildings to knock down. Just across town plans to demolish the NCP car park on Hall Ings will begin in November – with the car park shutting for good late next month.
The multi-storey car park, owned by Bradford Council, is due to be flattened to create a new “gateway” to Bradford Interchange. Which they would also like to flatten if they ever get their prized new central rail station…ten minutes walk out of town.
The grand plan so far as retail goes seems almost a last wave of the white flag so far as attempting any form of economic revival in the centre.
As for demolishing one of the biggest carparks in the centre ahead of the much-anticipated opening of the 4,000-capacity Bradford Live make your own mind up.
Granted the climate is tough but this will leave us with one main shopping centre when even the likes of Barnsley and Wakefield beat that.
The PR people were busy creating soundbites for our regeneration guru, Cllr Comical, who was apparently gushing about the expansion of the planned City Village.
Sadly the poor boy seemed as confused as ever claiming they will avoid low-quality housing and provide for families. This will be some trick when the so-called Masterplan commits them to around 1,000 new homes.
As for the terms of the sweetheart deal that will see Primark plug the big hole in the Broadway Shopping Centre left by Debenhams, doubtless this will be buried in council vaults for decades to come.
Cycle Lanes
Several years ago the council announced an £80m pot of Government money from the Transforming Cities Fund to tackle four projects; for varying reasons – take your pick – not a sod has been turned.
Of course, cycle lanes are included with plans for a multi-million-pound cycleway from Bradford city centre to the west of the city. Originally the scheme was expected to cost £17.5m, and create segregated cycling facilities along the Sunbridge Road, City Road and Thornton Road corridor from the city centre to Thornton Village.
It appears that the reduced scheme, almost halved in value, will see the first phase” will now only extend to the junction of Thornton Road/Cemetery Road/Allerton Road.
How on Earth is this good value for money and just how many lycra-clad lunatics will it actually serve? You only have to witness the state of the existing cycle lanes around the city to realise this is not the cyclist’s city of choice.
And yet they continue wasting millions.
Gloves Off
After seventeen days in the employ of the dental tycoon, it is time to hang my driving gloves up again. Over 2,500 miles, numerous certifiable drivers and all the sights and sounds of the cities of Yorkshire, as varied as they are.
I have gained an awful lot of respect for those that do this work day in and day out. We want it all and we want it now, brought to us by the hard-pressed delivery driver. Until the next time…
Horticultural Section
One of the plus points of driving is the lack of attention I have given to the local paper; I sense my mood has lifted several clouds as a result. All good things come to an end – see here.
Regular readers will know that our great leader is keen to bang the drum for our young and enterprising business culture.
More cannabis farms have been discovered in Bradford than any other area of West Yorkshire, according to recent figures, with 38 percent of all the area’s grows found in the district.
I wonder if they will be making the switch to peat-free compost just to be truly good citizens?
Tales From The Allotment
Finally, the much-missed Gregarious George has returned from his Greek homeland and his booming laughter swamps the allotments again; it is great to see – and hear – him.
Of course, leaving his plantation of 1,000 broad bean plants was always tinged with risk but he seemed unworried about the jungle that had now taken over most of his plot. Next year we would go again.
It hardly seems like yesterday when we were all busy digging, planting and then hoping the elements would be kind to us. And now the season ends and land goes fallow again.
Enjoy yourself. The years go by, as quickly as a wink.
Enjoy yourself, It’s later than you think
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