Construction work has started on Bradford’s landmark City Park project, following the announcement that the public sector would fund the pivotal scheme and the appointment of Yorkshire-based Birse Civils Ltd as the main contractor.
The six-acre park, featuring the mirror pool – the largest water feature in any UK city - is being built in the heart of the city centre, and is a pivotal scheme in the city’s future regeneration programme.
Bradford Council will deliver the flagship scheme which is equivalent in size approximately to four football pitches or St Mark’s Square in Venice. It will be a flexible space, attracting people of all ages into the city centre, with the capacity to hold a range of large scale events - an important addition for the district’s economy.
Councillor Kris Hopkins, Leader of Bradford Council and Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward, marked the official start on site and confirmed the public sector commitment to the scheme.
Councillor Kris Hopkins, Leader of Bradford Council said: “City Park is about much more than creating an attractive urban environment, it’s about social and economic sustainability, job creation, economic investment, tourism and communities. It will make Bradford unique and position the city ready for the upturn in the market.”
Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward, said: “This marks a key stage in Bradford’s regeneration and demonstrates the public sector commitment to investing in Bradford’s future. The City Park scheme will not only be a flagship development for the city, but a catalyst to further development and inward investment as we move towards a better economic climate”
Contractors have already begun the internal preparatory work on the former police station which has ensured the building is ready for the partial demolition work to start this month.