Bradford rail decision expected by summer
The city’s inclusion as a central element of the government’s £45bn Northern Powerhouse Rail programme came with a commitment to decide this year whether to progress with a new through rail station.
The announcement is a significant step forward for the scheme, and is part of a plan to work with Bradford Council and West Yorkshire leaders on the business case for a new city-centre through station that links to the proposed tram system.
During a parliamentary debate on NPR, secretary of state for transport, Heidi Alexander, noted that funding is being held in reserve in case the project is approved, however the specific amount was not divulged: “We will reach decisions by the summer of this year.
“We have made funding available to then move forward into detailed design, pending those decisions.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s announcement marks a milestone in outlining the government’s plans to deliver faster, more reliable rail links across the north and boost economic growth.
Bradford is also included in the first phase of the NPR programme, with confirmation of immediate plans to deliver quick wins via the electrification and upgrades to accelerate journey times between Bradford and Leeds.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council said: “This is a significant announcement for Bradford. A new station and better connectivity across the north is something we’ve been campaigning on for years.
“We are already working in partnership with government on the business case for the new station and faster connections so that plans and funding can be confirmed this summer.
“Today’s announcement brings our rail ambitions a big step closer. A new station has the power to fast-track Bradford’s growth on a scale we haven’t seen in decades – bringing in major investment, accelerating regeneration, and positioning Bradford once again as a major player in the north.
“It’s also a clear show of government’s confidence in Bradford, paving the way for new homes, new jobs, and new cultural opportunities that will shape our future for years to come.”
Mark Casci, head of policy and representation at West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Bradford getting a new through railway station will be a gamechanger, not only for the city and wider region, but for the whole of the country.
“Not only is this investment going to create vastly improved connectivity for Bradford, it will also unlock the potential for the Southern Gateway regeneration scheme which will become one of the UK’s largest regeneration areas, with the potential to deliver an uplift of £1.12bn in GVA, create 23,000 jobs and over 5,000 new homes.”
Here we go – a quarter of a way through the 21st Century and the Consultants come up with the idea of a through link from Bradford [(Exchange) Interchange] and Forster Square. Real railwaymen saw that opportunity generations ago but if its finally going to happen – not before time. All that’s needed then is hgih speed trains to Carlisle Glasgow and Edinburgh and the re-instatement recreation of the line from Bradford to Harrogate and Harrogate Ripon Northallerton and long distance trains fit for long distance travellers. Doubt whether I’ll see it though given how long it takes to do things in the UK
By Old and Cynical