.Bradford Trident Masterplan.

COMPLEMENTARY STRATEGIES

Introduction

This Masterplan is intended to provide the overarching strategy for the Trident area. However, to meet with the requirements of the brief and to take forward some key issues this section of the report addresses the complementary issues of:

  • Movement - and in particular areas where the pedestrian environment needs to be improved;
  • Open Space - an approach to improving the key civic and open spaces;
  • Lighting - identify areas where lighting improvements are required;
  • Gateways.

These complementary strategies are closely related to the overall masterplan. Improvements to the pedestrian environment and street lighting for example should, as far as possible, reflect development proposals and open space projects.

Movement

An overview of vehicle and pedestrian movement has been undertaken as part of this study.

Vehicles

Many of the key routes through the area, away from Manchester Road, have been the subject of traffic calming measures. The purpose of the traffic calming is to improve road safety and discourage rat running. Traffic calming along Ransdale Road and St Stephens Road are particular examples. Indeed West Bowling has been the subject of extensive traffic calming.

By and large the traffic calming is effective but in some case it does create isolated pedestrian only areas which, particularly after dark, can feel a little insecure and notably along Gaythorne Road and St Stephenís Road do little to reduce the dominance of the car.

Good access for vehicles throughout the area should be promoted. The key however is to manage vehicular movements so that they are safe and do not detract from the quality of the environment for the pedestrian. It is therefore not proposed that extensive additional traffic calming initiatives are proposed in the area.

However it is proposed that consideration is given to a programme of environmental and traffic works around the Gaythorne Road and St Stephens Road 'Village Centre'. This would provide the opportunity to:

  • Reinforce the Village Centre character of the area;
  • Reduce traffic speeds;
  • Discourage rat running, and Extend the Living Street concept along St Stephens Road from Manchester Road.

Works which could be considered include:

  • Widening of the pavements along St Stephens Road and along the parade of shops on Gaythorne Road;
  • Changes to the surface treatment to the carriageway at the St Stephens / Gaythorne Road junction to reinforce the Village Centre;
  • Improved lighting;
  • Tree Planting
  • Dedicated lay-by parking.

Such a programme of works would of course need to progressed in conjunction with the City of Bradford MDC. The indicative costs of such a project is likely to be in the order of £150,000.

Pedestrians

Away from Manchester Road the principles issues for pedestrian movement are:

  • The lack of a safe, linking route through Marshfields;
  • The safety and security of existing routes.

Both of these issues are addressed as part of the Open Space and Lighting strategies.

Road Closures

To improve traffic flows and road safety is it recommended that Bradford Trident discuss with the City Council the following, fairly minor, road closures:

  • Low Well Road, off Ryan Street and the junction of Manchester Road;
  • Wood Street - creating a dedicated parking and service area.

Open Space

The open space strategy refereed to in this report is considered in more detail in an Interim Report published by BDP Planning in September 2001. An appraisal of all the open spaces in the Trident area is incorporated in an appendix to this report.

Guiding Principles

Open space is a key element in the urban fabric. Reflecting this importance standards have been drawn up by the NFPA and others to allow benchmarking of areas and to assist in planning future open space provision.

These standards are useful and have been used in the appraisal outlined in this report. However, in an area such as Bradford Trident there needs to be a degree of flexibility when using such standards, not least because:

  1. Whilst the area does not in itself meet standards established by the NFPA and other in terms of access and quantity significant spaces do existing in the wider area - such as Bowling Park.
  2. The creation of new open spaces has, in large part, to be driven by opportunity.
  3. The cost of development and maintenance
  4. The use, ownership and sustainability of spaces
  5. Bradford Trident need not be guided by ëstandardí solutions but should seek the best.

Whilst this strategy has been developed in the context of open space standards covering quantity, access, role and facilities it is not determined by them. Other key factors include:-

  1. Realism in the delivery of change - particularly for early projects.
  2. The urban strategy for the area ñ an area of village and neighbourhood centres;
  3. The Living Street concept - the need to link spaces and people along safe attractive, vibrant routes.

Core Themes

An approach to open space is a key element of the wider masterplan and has an important role in the delivery of key objectives.

Core themes of the open space strategy are:-

  1. The creation of Trident Park as a unifying theme linking both sides of Manchester Road.
  2. The retention and development of all existing open spaces.
  3. The use of development and redevelopment as a vehicle to create new spaces.
  4. To identify a series of 'Early Win' projects.

Trident Park

The Phase 1 Masterplan for Bradford Trident established the principle of a major new community park in the Park Lane, Roundhill Street and Hutson Street area of Marshfields. The footbridge linking this area to the eastern side of Manchester Road at St Stephens School is to be retained.

The eastern side of Manchester Road in this area does have a significant, attractive if small open space. This space and adjacent routes act as a link to St Stephenís Road which has potential to form part of the Living Street idea.

The open space at the junction of St Stephens Road and Manchester Road and the footbridge over Manchester Road could be seen as part of the Trident Community Park. To fully realise such a concept significant investment in infrastructure, not least an upgraded footbridge, would be required. Such a project draws on the experience from similar ideas in Manchester, London and elsewhere. Similar projects have been funded through a combination of ERDF, Lottery, NDC, Local Authority budgets and commercial development.

New Spaces

The amount of open space in the Trident area is limited. Opportunities to create new spaces should therefore be taken up where and when they present themselves.

The principal opportunity to create new spaces outside of the Phase 1 Masterplan area is through the opportunity created by the proposed demolition of a number of private dwellings which are in a poor condition.

The identification of potential new spaces following on from demolition will need to be considered further in the light of the emerging Private Housing Strategy for Bradford Trident. In any event it would not be appropriate to identify specific sites in this document.

As the delivery of such sites would ideally be dependant on negotiated purchase it will be necessary to have a number of potential options.

The Open Space Strategy Plan does however identify ëAreas of Searchí which combine potential redevelopment opportunities and areas currently poorly served by open space.

In terms of new development, the former Woodroyd School is the key opportunity in the area. The redevelopment of the site is likely to comprise community uses and housing. In developing the site the opportunity should be taken to develop up to two pocket parks.

Early Wins

A key element of the strategy is the identification of Early Wins. The Early Wins are intended to realise a number of benefits:-

  1. Provide an opportunity to demonstrate regeneration at an early point;
  2. To provide a Pilot Project for delivering open space improvements in each of the Community areas;
  3. To provide a focus around which the Trident Board, the local community and others can make detailed decision on design, costs and other issues;
  4. To create 'groups' who have been involved in the decision making progress and who can be involved in other projects as they come forward.

The Early Win projects have been identified for a number of reasons:-

  1. There is a degree of certainty about the future of the site and surrounding area so they can progress now;
  2. The sites are existing spaces and are in public ownership;
  3. The sites have the potential to be improved with a sense of ownership from adjacent residents and/or young people.
  4. They provide the opportunity to test a range of delivery issues and urban design ideas and develop partnership working.

The Early Win projects will be considered further, later in this section.

Projects

A list of open space projects is entered in the Appendix. It is useful here to consider the Early Win projects in each community area together with the overall open space strategy.

Little Horton

Little Horton has very little open or play space. Large parts of Little Horton are a Conservation Area and so the opportunity to develop new spaces in the short term is likely to be limited. The area is close to open space improvements within the Phase 1 Masterplan area. The area has the potential to act as a link between the Trident area and the University Quarter.

In this context it is considered that there is merit in seeking to create a play street or Home Zone in this area. This could be seen as a potential early win. Ideas on Home Zones are included in the Annex to this report.

The approach would be consistent with the idea of improving the pedestrian links from Little Horton to the play and other spaces of the Phase 1 Masterplan ñ including the Living Street concept.

The idea would clearly need to be developed in conjunction with the local community as well as the local authority. There may well be a need to alter traffic circulation in the area.

Should any demolition of private housing take place in the Little Horton area then any redevelopment should comprise a pocket park and/or off-street parking.

Marshfields

Again Marshfields has very little open space and links to spaces outside of the immediate area will be important.

Selective demolition of a limited number of residential properties in the area could contribute in both providing new open space opportunities and creating a new, safe route, linking the whole of the Marshfield community to the proposed Mayfield Community Centre. Such a project will take time.

To demonstrate action in the short term it is proposed that the space at Burnett Avenue be taken forward as an 'Early Win' project.

The Burnett Avenue space is small and unattractive. It has very limited play elements in it and is somewhat 'tucked away'.

It is considered that this space should be developed as a 'Civic Space' with the use of pavement material to bring the space out in to Burnett Avenue - reducing the influence of the car in this corner and developing a ëvillageí square character.

New seating, a feature and some element of play could be incorporated together with improved lighting.

West Bowling

West Bowling has a number of spaces that require attention and these are addressed in the Action Plan. As in Marshfields, the opportunity of the proposed demolition of some dwellings should be taken to create new pocket parks in key locations. The redevelopment of Woodroyd School creates a similar opportunity.

There are a number of options for Early Win projects in West Bowling. However, it is considered, for differing reasons, Parkside Park and the space at Clipstone Street should be progressed as Early Wins.

Parkside Park is perhaps the most significant open space in West Bowling. Indeed it is the largest public space within the Trident area. Nevertheless it is a rather unattractive, uninspiring space with problems of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

The Park, owned by the City Council, does have some sports and play equipment. This could be enhanced to create a high quality sports/activity park geared mainly towards young people. The park could also incorporate a youth shelter. The project would provide the opportunity to engage with young people early in the delivery of the strategy.

In Clipstone Street, good quality improvements in the public realm are in danger of being dissipated.

The space, bounded on all sides by housing and accommodating a local Community Centre, should be seen as a single entity. The local residents and the Council, as land owner and occupier, should be drawn in to strategy to create a ëresidential court yardí with opportunities for plays as well as passive recreation.

Lighting

Crime and security have been consistent concerns of the community and this is reflected in many of the programmes of Bradford Trident.

The Masterplan strategy should contribute towards addressing issues of crime and security by creating safe places and routes, particularly after dark. Good lighting has an important role to play in meeting that objective.

This lighting strategy has been based upon:

  • 'After dark' surveys of the Trident area, one of which was undertaking by BDP with the assistance of local police officers in order to gain there views;
  • An awareness of 'crime backstops';
  • Community comments;
  • A understanding of the key projects and initiatives that are being proposed in this masterplan and those that are already being progressed by Bradford Trident.

The lighting strategy acts as a crucial component of the Masterplan, especially regarding issues of security, the perceived and actual threats of crime. It also fully complements other integral elements of the Masterplan including movement, focal points / community hubs, landmarking and the approach developed for environmental quality and open spaces.

The lighting strategy does not address the Park Lane and Marshfields Masterplan area or the Manchester Road (Quality Bus) Corridor. Lighting improvements will form part of both those initiatives.

City of Bradford MDC

The City of Bradford MDC is responsible for street lighting in the Bradford Trident area as they are throughout the District.

The Council undertakes planned maintenance and responds where they are aware that lights have gone out. Some improvements have recently been made on St Stephens Road. However further improvements in the area will need to be prioritised against other areas in the District.

Strategy

Given the need to prioritise action and investment in lighting improvements this strategy comprises three elements:

  • Priority 1 - 'Black-Spots Targeted for Action';
  • Priority 2 - Existing and Emerging Focal Points;
  • Priority 3 - Linking Routes
  • Priority 4 - Landmark Buildings Targeted for Action

In addition lighting improvements will be required as part of some open space projects.

Black-Spots Targeted for Action

The first component of the strategy has been to identify and address the streets and local areas where lighting is at it poorest. Eight black spots / streets have been identified in the Masterplan area.

High Priority 'Black-spots' Targeted for Action

Marsh Grove - Marshfields

Montague Street - Marshfields

Marsh Street, Marshfield Street, Marshfield Avenue, Reginald Street, Ellis Street, Burnett Place & Burnett Avenue

Drove Road Estate - West Bowling

Bowling Old Lane / Drove Road House - West Bowling

Baird Street, Bowbridge Road, St Stephens Road (E), Dalcross Street, Birklea Street, Spring Mill Street, Pembroke Street, Ackworth Street - West Bowling

Parma Street / Ludlam Street underpass - Broomfields

Holme Top Place - Little Horton

These areas currently suffer from poor very poor street lighting. This condition has been created by both lack of maintenance to existing streetlights and in some cases, no provision at all.

A further issue is the form and function of the identified areas. Streets off Ransdale Road in Marshfields for example take the form of cul-de-sac development. Other areas, including Briar Street, Bowling Old Lane and the Ludlam Street underpass are existing or proposed pedestrian routes, that suffer from features such as low tree canopies and a poor quality environment. These characteristics compound the existing lack of street lighting provision.

Black-spot areas should receive attention at the earliest opportunity.

As noted earlier improvements to lighting will need to be progressed with the City Council. The cost of lighting improvements will be dependent on the nature of lighting using and the amount required. However schemes for a street are likely to cost between £3,000 to £15,000.

Existing and Emerging Focal Points

In relation to the overall Masterplan Strategy, six specific areas are proposed for improvement that will develop them into focal points for activity within the Trident communities. These are:

Existing & Emerging Focal Points

Proposed Civic Space, Burnett Avenue - Marshfields

St Stephens / Gaythorne Road junction & community facilities

Little Cross Park - West Bowling

Woodroyd School, proposed community hub - West Bowling

Proposed Home Zone, Howard Street (and other streets) - Little Horton

This improved activity can be complemented by appropriate street lighting measures. This is to firstly tackle issues of security and community safety and to secondly make these areas suitable for use in the evening - especially during the winter months.

Intermediary Street Works to Support Wider Network

The following streets are seen as key routes which would benefit from improved lighting;

Key routes

St Stephens Road - West Bowling

Gaythorne Road - West Bowling

Sawrey Place - Little Horton

Lansdowne Place - Little Horton

Edmund Street - Little Horton

Landmarks Buildings

The environment of Bradford Trident, particularly at night can feel somewhat insecure and isolated. Whilst much of the area needs environmental and physical regeneration there are a series of fine buildings which do act landmarks, but only during the day.

To enliven the environment at night, to add to the sense of place and security and to highlight the built assets that Trident has, there is merit in considering, in conjunction with building owners the lighting of some key landmarks. A number of potential landmark lighting projects are listed below.

In progressing such a schemes there will be a need to reflect the cultural diversity of the Community. The landmark lighting strategy will also need to relate to proposals associated with the Quality Bus Corridor.

Landmark Buildings

Mayfield Building, Broadway Avenue - Marshfields

Hields Mill - Marshfields

Thornton Lane Temple - Marshfields

Long Close House - West Bowling

St Stephens Church - West Bowling

Cotewall Road Mill - West Bowling

Douglas Mill - Broomfields (as part of a development strategy)

St Josephs RC Church - Little Horton

All Saints Church - Little Horton

Lighting Types

The most appropriate type of light that has been recommended to the project team are Metal Halide lighting columns.

These luminaries give the best colour rendering and therefore a concentration of this type of lighting in these problem areas seems the most appropriate action to undertake, as they will provide better lighting for security. Whilst these bulbs have a slightly shorter life-span they create a significantly better lighting effect than more traditional sodium lights.

Gateways

In developing public realm, lighting and other strategies as part of the Masterplan strategy there is merit in seeking to establish a number of ëgatewaysí to the Bradford Trident area, and to sub-areas within it.

The Gateway status of a given site could be reflected in the use of lighting and public art features. Many gateway sites are already the subject of other complementary initiatives.

Gateway sites are:

  • The junction of Parkside Road and Manchester Road;
  • St Stephens Pedestrian Bridge over Manchester Road;
  • The open space at St Stephens Road and Manchester Road;
  • The open space at Little Horton Lane and Thornton Lane;
  • The junction of Bowling Old Lane and Manchester Road (Broomfields Industrial Estate); The junction of Mill Lane and Manchester Road (Broomfields Industrial Estate);

Conclusions

These complementary strategies are an important element of the overall Masterplan strategy. There will be a need to work closely with the City of Bradford MDC in delivering many of these projects.

 

 

 

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