Bradford FS 4th Platform (Construction updates)

[Noddy]

Two more from this morning.

As you can see Platform three is going to remain it’s current length. There is little they can do to lengthen it.

If you look at the OPs photos of platform 3, the section blocked by the embankment is actually relatively short. I’m not saying it would be extremely cheap to do, but it should be easily possible to cut back the embankment. Once you’ve done this there are no other real constraints beyond (other than the usual trackside paraphernalia) to extending the platform.

 

[InkyScrolls]

If you look at the OPs photos of platform 3, the section blocked by the embankment is actually relatively short. I’m not saying it would be extremely cheap to do, but it should be easily possible to cut back the embankment. Once you’ve done this there are no other real constraints beyond (other than the usual trackside paraphernalia) to extending the platform.

There aren't any plans to extend P3.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The Ilkley-Bradford services are now only hourly outside peak times so won't be interworked with the half-hourly Leeds services.

My understanding is that interworking was introduced following electrification. I read somewhere (can't find the link) that prior that, Bradford services only went as far as Guiseley and Keighley. There was apparently some complicated manoeuvring to clear the platform for the connecting Leeds train.

That may have been the case at some point earlier in the 1980s, maybe before the 142s and 144s came in, but by about 1988 everything interworked and the diagrams were "circular" (or "triangular" maybe? ) as per my previous post. Once the wires went up and the direct Leeds to Bradford runs were added, the diagrams were changed to make space for the directs.

 

[Halifaxlad]

I believe the scope includes both the new P0 and extending P3. Presumably P0 is getting done first so they still have three platforms available when P3 gets worked on.

Just what I presumed is happening.

Hopefully we will be able to give updates to this thread when it does!

 

[Noddy]

There aren't any plans to extend P3.

I can’t comment on that, my response was to a poster who said it could not physically be done. Other contributors (including the OP) seem to think it is happening so perhaps you could clarify:

I believe the scope includes both the new P0 and extending P3. Presumably P0 is getting done first so they still have three platforms available when P3 gets worked on.

 

[30907]

The Ilkley-Bradford services are now only hourly outside peak times so won't be interworked with the half-hourly Leeds services.

My understanding is that interworking was introduced following electrification. I read somewhere (can't find the link) that prior that, Bradford services only went as far as Guiseley and Keighley. There was apparently some complicated manoeuvring to clear the platform for the connecting Leeds train.

Bradford-Guiseley was sometime in the 70s - by the early 80s Ilkley was restored and gave Bradford-Keighley 2tph, which were extended to Skipton once Cononley and Steeton reopened IIRC.

 

[quantinghome]

There aren't any plans to extend P3.

Two alternative design options have been considered to address the constraint of the retaining wall at the end of the existing P3. It's possible these plans are not being taken forward (I've not heard either way, maybe you have).

 

[InkyScrolls]

I can’t comment on that, my response was to a poster who said it could not physically be done. Other contributors (including the OP) seem to think it is happening so perhaps you could clarify:

Two alternative design options have been considered to address the constraint of the retaining wall at the end of the existing P3. It's possible these plans are not being taken forward (I've not heard either way, maybe you have).

Currently Northern internal sources are saying that platform 0 will be it, and that there's no extension to platform 3 planned. I'd like to be proven wrong but honestly I don't think BDQ needs the extra capacity. There aren't plans to run 331x2 6-car sets to Forster Square so there isn't any particular reason to extend it.

 

[quantinghome]

Currently Northern internal sources are saying that platform 0 will be it, and that there's no extension to platform 3 planned. I'd like to be proven wrong but honestly I don't think BDQ needs the extra capacity. There aren't plans to run 331x2 6-car sets to Forster Square so there isn't any particular reason to extend it.

Ah, OK. Looks like the project may have been reduced from its original scope.

 

[Halifaxlad]

Although not directly in Bradford City Centre it is for the same purpose as this new platform at Forster Square.



It looks like vegetation works have began at Shipley to facilitate lengthening of Platform 4 for LNER services. A safety rail has also been errected adjacent to the line.

 

[skyhigh]

It looks like vegetation works have began at Shipley to facilitate lengthening of Platform 4 for LNER services 6 car 331s.

Amended that for you.

 

[Bob55G]

Amended that for you.

I'm sure that Halifaxlad's post (#40) is correct. The KX to Bradford FS services currently have to run 'wrong-line' through Shipley to use platform 3 which is the only one long enough to accommodate the LNER services to/from Bradford. The proposed extension for platform 4 would take the platform length from 98m to 198m. This would allow the southbound LNER services to avoid any potential conflicting moves through Shipley, and would obviously also comfortably handle any 6 car Northern services.

 

[JRT]

Although not directly in Bradford City Centre it is for the same purpose as this new platform at Forster Square.

View attachment 165712

It looks like vegetation works have began at Shipley to facilitate lengthening of Platform 4 for LNER services. A safety rail has also been errected adjacent to the line.

LNER have mentioned that they want to be able to use Shipley platform 4 for their KGX–>BDQ trains (sorry I haven't the link, but it was in a document), to introduce flexibility into the (existing) timetable. I didn't think of it at the time, but obviously this would be needed for the additional trains on the increased timetable.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Sep 2024 ==

Interesting - I thought it was just the Leeds-Bradford FS services that were being disentangled from the rest of the Leeds North West services.


P0 probably replaces the P3 extension.

There was originally talk of a Platform 4 at Bradford Forster Square, extending past the ticket machines, but this may have been just for a siding. As noted above, Platform 4 and its replacement Platform 0 are not for the London trains as widely thought, but just to add flexibility to the layout, much the same way as Platform 0 at Leeds is just a standard length platform for NORTHERN.

 

[IanXC]

In the days before electrification, everything interworked on the "triangle" with units going Leeds-Ilkley-Bradford-Skipton-Leeds or v.v. though there were no Leeds-Bradford services in those days. Presumably this is no longer the case, with many of the Bradfords being reduced to 3-car.

As i understand it from electrification to the last timetable change all the various routes interworked with each other.

From the last timetable change Leeds - Ilkley and Leeds Skipton interwork, and the various Bradford routes interwork, but outside the peaks these service groups remain separate.

 

[hawk1911]

I managed to take a quick photo, whilst walking up to Valley Parade today.

The photo was taken from the bridge over the railway (A6181 Hamm Strasse) and is looking away from Forster Square station, towards Valley Parade (i.e. the Shipley direction) and shows the new track from the new platform 'zero' towards where it joins the existing track infrastructure.

 

[MichaelTrains]

Few more from this morning.

 

[mr_jrt]

Do we know if that's the intended final position of the new platform track, or if it will be shifted over later? I'd imagine it's the final position, which is interesting, as it appears to be much closer to the platform 1 line than the existing lines between platforms 2 & 3. If Platform 3's line were able to be shifted to a similar distance towards platform 2's, then it might ease extending platform 3 later, with less work needed to the retaining wall.

 

[quantinghome]

Do we know if that's the intended final position of the new platform track, or if it will be shifted over later? I'd imagine it's the final position, which is interesting, as it appears to be much closer to the platform 1 line than the existing lines between platforms 2 & 3. If Platform 3's line were able to be shifted to a similar distance towards platform 2's, then it might ease extending platform 3 later, with less work needed to the retaining wall.

That was one of the options considered. I understand there's a fair bit of equipment between the two platforms that would need to be shifted.

 

[matacaster]

If you look at the OPs photos of platform 3, the section blocked by the embankment is actually relatively short. I’m not saying it would be extremely cheap to do, but it should be easily possible to cut back the embankment. Once you’ve done this there are no other real constraints beyond (other than the usual trackside paraphernalia) to extending the platform.

That reinforced concrete retaining wall is not very long, but is really substantial. Whilst I am sure it could be removed and hillside cut back it would be neither cheap, simple or cheap. I remember it being put there in the first place.

 

[Rikki Lamb]

Ironic that platform 0 at the buffer end is roughly where the end of the original pre 1990 Platform 1 was located.

I believe services up until the late 80s or early 90s only ran to Keighley or Ilkley due to the awkward manoeuvring required at Shipley due to the station layout.

 

[JRT]

Ironic that platform 0 at the buffer end is roughly where the end of the original pre 1990 Platform 1 was located.

I believe services up until the late 80s or early 90s only ran to Keighley or Ilkley due to the awkward manoeuvring required at Shipley due to the station layout.

Not really. Beyond Keighley was outside the WY Metro area, so trains weren't subsidised Beyond Keighley until Steeton & Silsden was planned, then trains ran through to Skipton. At the time, there wasn't a big demand for Bradford to Leeds trains, so the route via New Pudsey was deemed adequate

 

[MichaelTrains]

Latest update showing the new platform 0 being put in place.

 

[jpaul81]

WORK to create a new platform at a Bradford rail station is well underway, and is on track to be completed by May 2025

New platform at Bradford rail station takes shape as expected opening date revealed

WORK to create a new platform at a Bradford rail station is well underway, and project bosses have told the Telegraph & Argus when they expect…

www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2024 ==

Images taken Friday 11

 

[jpaul81]

Couple of photos from today…

 

[InkyScrolls]

I've been driving into/out of there the past few days and I can't see the point of the 'accelerate' A on platform three. The limit before the 20 board is 20 anyway!

 

[Halifaxlad]

Keep the updates comming its great to see!

 

[MichaelTrains]

Quick update from me before I catch the train to Ilkley.

The new platform 0 roof is slowly taking shape as is the new ramp and platform access.

I spoke to one of the engineers who says they still are on target for a May opening.

 

[modernrail]

Did NR have to buy back land that has previously been sold off by BR to build this new platform?

 

[Rikki Lamb]

Did NR have to buy back land that has previously been sold off by BR to build this new platform?

Yes, as daft as it sounds. This end of the platform starts roughly where the old platform 1 ended

 

[modernrail]

Yes, as daft as it sounds. This end of the platform starts roughly where the old platform 1 ended

They really did make a complete mess of the downsizing of the station. Removing any sense of a proper entrance into the station from the urban core and squeezing it into a site that is much smaller than it needed to be. Particularly in terms of passenger facilities. They left Bradford with a station that feels like it should be at an out of town shopping centre.

Meanwhile most of the remainder has sat derelict or was developed into out of town style sheds.

It is a masterclass in how not to do something. Feels like whole thing was an exercise in selling off the absolute maximum extent of land, probably not for any sort of premium price, rather than ensuring Bradford was left with a decent if tiny (compared to the original) station.

That Bradford suffered exactly the same approach x 2 adds to the kicking it received.

If you were to roll the clock back then surely a much more imaginative design would be possible.