Old tram tracks re-laid in city centre

Antique tram tracks have been re-laid in a city centre street as part of a £45m pedestrianisation and traffic management scheme.

The tracks were uncovered last year when Bradford's Bridge Street was being dug up as part of the long-running project.

The find was described by Bradford City Council as "somewhat unexpected" at the time, as it was believed the area had been cleared of such items during the city's post-war redevelopment.

The lines were removed and cleaned before being incorporated into new paving, at almost the same spot they were found.

The council has previously described the scheme as a "monumental infrastructure project" to transform the city centre.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service the majority of the work is now complete, while work to extend Norfolk Gardens onto Hall Ings and a creation of a park on the former Hall Ings car park site is expected to be finished by Spring 2025.

The relaying of the tracks in Bridge Street comes as the city prepares for a new tram system.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority last year revealed that a tram line linking Bradford and Leeds city centres would make up the first leg of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit system.

Work on Bridge Street has also seen trees installed in new planters next to Centenary Square and a variety of different plants and flowers planted at the large "meeting circle" at the front of St George's Hall.

More benches and seating areas have been added in locations across the centre, including new seating on Market Street.

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