An MP has welcomed calls from an influential Commons Select Committee for a full assessment to be carried out into how Government’s scaling back of Northern Powerhouse Rail will affect Bradford.
In its report examining The Integrated Rail Plan for the North and the Midlands, the Transport Select Committee concluded that the potential of Bradford “as an engine room” of the Northern Powerhouse “may be squandered if it is not given opportunities to thrive through better connectivity.”
The committee also called for Government to reconsider the case for a new station, arguing the development of St James’ Market station would both enhance rail connectivity in the north and investment in the city, and provide future opportunities for rail development.
Shipley MP Philip Davies submitted evidence to the committee and said the decision to scale back NPR - specifically the new build lines from Liverpool to Leeds via Manchester and Bradford - was a “huge disappointment”.
He said: “These new lines represented a huge chance for the government to throw weight behind its commitment to ‘level up’ the North, by seeking to establish real parity between the quality and scale of transport infrastructure in London, and the rest of the country. Many of my constituents have spoken to me about their profound disappointment with the decision not to proceed with the project. It appears the government felt that the people of the Bradford district could be pacified with the news that the route between Leeds and Bradford would “be upgraded and electrified” – a gesture that represents comparatively small and insulting concession prize, in comparison to what was initially promised.
“Many people in my constituency believe that the introduction of these new lines would represent a vital step towards securing the economic regeneration of our area – establishing modernised, frequent and reliable rail services that could propel the area’s economic growth. Owing to the nature of the Integrated Rail Plan, these plans have now been almost entirely derailed.”
Mr Davies also agrees with the committee over the need for another station, arguing that Forster Square Station was insufficient to meet demand.
He added: “It has been estimated that a new Northern Powerhouse Rail station in Bradford would have provided access to 1.3m additional jobs within 90 minutes of Bradford and secured £30bn value of city centre growth and investment.
“Undoubtedly, the Integrated Rail Plan represents one of the largest funding packages made available for infrastructure investment in the North of the country. However, it has once again failed to adequately provide and deliver for the people of the Bradford district. I would therefore, in the strongest possible terms, urge for this decision to be reconsidered, including alternative sources of funding for the Northern Powerhouse Rail project and a new station for Bradford.”
Mr Davies said transport infrastructure was key to unlocking potential and he will keep pushing Government to act.