Government has given the strongest hint yet that Bradford will be included on a high speed east to west coast northern rail line.
Shipley MP Philip Davies piled pressure on the Department for Transport to confirm Bradford will be included in the Northern Powerhouse Rail also referred to as High Speed 3 during Commons Transport Questions.
Transport Minister Paul Maynard said: “There is a very strong case for that we are waiting to see what Transport for the North has to say about Northern Powerhouse Rail but I myself would be very surprised if Bradford did not feature on those plans.”
The line will connect Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull and was approved in last year’s Budget.
Mr Davies said: “Given the size of Bradford it is absolutely essential that we have a station stop on the HS3 route. It will bring economic benefits to the district and I will keep pushing for this until it is confirmed Bradford will be included on the route.
“Too often Bradford misses out to Leeds and if Bradford did not have a stop on the line, it would mean the only economic benefit to West Yorkshire would be for Leeds. That is like throwing apples into an orchard that is already full.
“I am delighted the Government seem to be moving closer to confirming Bradford as a station on the route”.