Bradford City Centre Greenery Praised by Alan Titchmarsh
Renowned gardener and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh has praised the greenery in Bradford city centre, describing it as a "bold and enlightened move". The Ilkley-born gardener was contacted by Telegraph & Argus gardening columnist Peter Fawcett, who sent him links to his recent articles about the new city centre greenery.
According to Peter Fawcett, Mr Titchmarsh said in an email: "I’m delighted that Bradford is doing its bit for horticulture, especially because of my connection with the area. I’m really heartened to know that Bradford is looking brighter and greener." This endorsement from a well-known figure in the gardening world is a significant boost to Bradford Council’s efforts to transform the city centre.
The transformation of Bradford city centre has been a major infrastructure project, which has seen the pedestrianisation of large areas and the creation of new green spaces. The Norfolk Gardens park area, which covers 10,000 square metres, is the final piece of the project. The park features over 7,700 plants and shrubs of 173 different species, including 57 trees, as well as large areas of turf, benches, and stepping stones marking the historic watercourse of the Bowling Beck. The park also includes the relocated mermaid statue, which used to be in the Jacobs Well roundabout subway.
Peter Fawcett, writing in a recent T&A column, said that the planting in the new-look city centre could become a template for cities across the UK. He stated: "Creating a city centre free from dangers of motor vehicles, with a central core where people can walk freely, is a bold and enlightened move. The bottom line is £130 million has been removed from the parks budget every year since 2010. So I am for one, thankful for the money being used in Bradford on this garden project." Mr Fawcett believes that if Bradford gets it right, it will become a template for cities all over Britain.
Bradford Council has confirmed that the completion of planting in the Norfolk Gardens park area marks a significant milestone in the major infrastructure project. The council worked in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority using funding from the Transforming Cities Fund to deliver the project. The new park area on the former Hall Ings road has been designed to provide a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city, where people can relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Mr Titchmarsh will be in Ilkley on April 30 to officially open a fountain on Brook Street in Ilkley. Although he was unable to visit the city centre during his April visit due to a packed schedule, he was very complimentary about Bradford’s horticulture. As reported by the Telegraph & Argus, Mr Titchmarsh’s comments are a welcome endorsement of the city’s efforts to improve its green spaces. The city’s transformation is set to continue, with the new park area and other green spaces providing a vibrant and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
The project has been widely praised, with many recognising the importance of creating a city centre that is pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. As Mr Fawcett noted, "It will take a while to get used to the new city centre, but given time people will come to love to walk around the city centre freely in what will be a relatively small area. The end result will put Bradford in the lead far in front of every other city." With the support of prominent figures like Alan Titchmarsh, Bradford’s city centre is set to become a model for urban regeneration and green space development.
