Southern

Gateway

The Southern Gateway is ready to drive the next chapter of Bradford’s growth – especially for the communities that surround it.

With a planned £4.5bn in transport investment, including a new city centre rail station and the Mass Transit line, real change is on the way.

The Southern Gateway will open up space for new homes, local businesses, community facilities and green spaces, creating the conditions for growth where it’s needed most.

What is the southern gateway?

  • Where is it?

    The Southern Gateway is a 126ha regeneration site  located to the south of Bradford city centre.

    Following the previous Government’s £2bn Bradford rail announcement, it is now one of the UK’s biggest opportunity areas.

  • What will it deliver?

    The regeneration of the Southern Gateway will create the infrastructure that modern businesses demand, while unlocking land for thousands of new homes, offices, and vibrant retail and leisure spaces. This is a bold vision for growth, rooted in place and powered by connectivity.

    The Southern Gateway is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive Bradford’s economic transformation. At its core are two landmark transport investments:

    •  A new city centre rail station as part of the Bradford Rail Programme

    • The Bradford to Leeds tram scheme through West Yorkshire Mass Transit

    These projects will vastly improve regional connectivity, strengthening supply chains, boosting productivity, and attracting private investment. By laying the foundations for future growth, they will help Bradford compete and thrive in a fast-changing, high-performing economy.

  • What does this mean for Bradford?

    Better rail infrastructure brings people together — connecting cities, communities, and opportunities. Shorter journeys mean faster growth, stronger relationships, and a more vibrant cultural and economic future for the North.

    Improved transport links will increase mobility, and open new doors, especially for young people entering the workforce. This regeneration will empower a new generation, helping to build stronger, more resilient communities within and around the city centre.

    The Southern Gateway is a rare opportunity to shape a future that works for everyone, by building new inner-city communities, creating inclusive spaces, and delivering the conditions for long-term progress in both social and economic terms.

Big space, right place

The Southern Gateway is one of the UK’s most significant regeneration opportunities — a major initiative being unlocked by investment in rail and trams. Located just south of Bradford city centre, this triangular area, currently dominated by industrial uses, is set to undergo a transformation that will reshape the future of the city.

This ambitious regeneration will not only modernise infrastructure but also pave the way for the creation of vibrant new inner-city communities. By consolidating existing uses and reimagining underutilised land, the Southern Gateway will support the delivery of high-quality homes, accessible green spaces, and sustainable transport connections.

As a driver for growth, this area will also provide vital employment space on the edge of the city centre, helping Bradford attract new businesses, boost productivity, and retain talent. The Southern Gateway represents a bold step toward a more inclusive and connected future for Bradford.

If I could write to the little girl who grew up to be my mum…

I’d tell her one thing…to dream.

“

Noor, Bradford

Listen to a poem about opportunity for young people

Bradford poet, Noor, reading aloud her poem, Dreams.

A better future

The Southern Gateway is all about creating spaces in Bradford where our young population can live, learn, and work.

With new businesses, social spots, and public areas planned, it’s set to bring plenty of job opportunities and places to build skills.

It’s a space designed for the future, helping the next generation thrive and making the city a place where they can really make their mark.

Join the growing movement backing the Bradford Rail Programme. Whether you're a local resident, business owner, educator, or simply believe in a better-connected North — we want to hear from you.

As a supporter you’ll get access to campaign materials, updates, and ways to get involved.

Help us send a clear message: Don’t bypass Bradford. Build the station. Connect the North.

Join our campaign for better rail

Unlocking Bradford’s Economic Potential

Bradford is one of the UK’s youngest cities, with huge untapped potential to drive regional and national growth. The Bradford Rail Programme will be a game-changer, improving connectivity, creating jobs, and opening up new opportunities for businesses. With a new rail station, Bradford will have better access to supply chains, a larger labour force, and a more connected economy.

The Government’s Industrial Strategy highlights the need for high-quality transport to drive growth. By connecting West Yorkshire and Manchester, this new rail infrastructure will boost tourism, attract investment, and strengthen Bradford’s role as a key link between the North and the rest of the UK.

The Southern Gateway regeneration site will contribute:

  • 5,000 new homes

  • 23,000 jobs

  • £1.12bn annual GVA uplift

  • 440,000 sqm of new office space

Partnering for Progress

The Southern Gateway is being shaped with the support of world-class expertise. Initially developed in partnership with WSP, the masterplan is now being advanced by Arup, who bring global experience in sustainable urban regeneration. Their involvement ensures the vision for Southern Gateway is not only ambitious but also deliverable.