'We feel safe here': Homeless people criticise plans to gate off city centre arches

HOMELESS people and rough sleepers who use Bradford city centre rail arches as shelter have hit out at plans to gate them off.

Under the controversial proposals revealed earlier this year, the 10 arches in the pedestrian route between Cheapside and Forster Square railway station will be blocked off by three-metre-high decorated panels, with new lighting installed inside.

The work will be funded by Network Rail, which owns and maintains the arches, and carried out by Bradford Council, which said the changes would lead to a "much improved public realm" around the station.

On Wednesday night, the Telegraph & Argus visited the arches alongside volunteers from Homeless Not Hopeless, a group which offers support to those in need by handing out food, clothing, tents and toiletries.

A number of people were at the arches, including a man called Lee who was vocal about the plans to gate them off.

"I've used the arches for a year or so," he said.

"There's a sense of community here - we're like family.

Lee described the plans as 'bad' and 'wrong' (Image: Newsquest)

"We feel safe here.

"Now they want to take these spaces away from us.

"They should scrap these plans right now.

"The plans are bad, they're wrong."

Another man, Paul, said he had used the arches on and off for four-and-a-half years.

He spoke of the difficulties of living on the streets and said he felt safe when he was at the arches.

"My message is leave the arches open, please don't close them off," he added.

He praised Homeless Not Hopeless for helping people like him.

Paul with members of Homeless Not Hopeless (Image: Newsquest)

Julie Forster, of Homeless Not Hopeless, described the proposals to gate off the arches as "shocking" and added: "Where are these people going to go?

"The Council's not showing kindness, empathy or compassion."

A man called Andrew said the plans "weren't right".

Another man complained that nobody behind the proposals had asked him what he thought of the plans.

A woman reminded the authorities that "we're all human beings here trying to survive" and asked: "Where will we go in the future?"

There were also calls for the Council and Network Rail to be "more compassionate" and rethink the controversial proposals.

Someone else came up to our reporter and said he was grateful to the T&A for covering this issue and "giving us a voice".

He said he wanted to know why the organisations were planning on gating off the arches and when this might happen.

He also urged the Council to do more to help homeless people and rough sleepers in the city.

The arches are subject to controversial plans (Image: Newsquest)

The T&A put the comments and concerns to the Council and Network Rail.

A Council spokesperson said: "The condition of the arches is being addressed as part of improvements to Bradford Forster Square station including an additional platform.

"Network Rail, which is responsible for the station's footprint and the old railway arches, is supporting a scheme of enhancements with the Council and our partners.

"The area will have new lighting and greater security following long-standing reports of issues, including anti-social behaviour, to create a much-improved public realm that is useable and enjoyed by all.

"The arches are visited on a daily basis by the Council's dedicated homeless outreach team to offer support and assistance to anyone who needs it, and they have also discussed the planned improvements to the station with the people sleeping there.

"Living on the street under the arches is not a safe or appropriate long-term solution for people and we are working with homelessness agencies and local charities to ensure those currently using the arches have the support they need to address health and well-being issues and to access accommodation.

"Helping people off the streets is a key priority for the Council all year round."

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We're working with the Council to improve the approach to Bradford Forster Square station to make it safer for the travelling public.

"Our work will see new lighting and security measures installed to reduce anti-social behaviour, which has unfortunately become prevalent in the area around the old railway arches.

"We are continuing to support Bradford Council as they engage with people experiencing homelessness in the area and work to provide health and well-being services and access to accommodation."

It has not yet been revealed when the work will begin.