AN MP has demanded assurances from Government plans for a Northern Rail Powerhouse will include a station stop at Bradford and not bypass the city.
Shipley MP Philip Davies said Bradford was one of the biggest cities in the country and must be included on the route.
Speaking in Transport Questions in Parliament he said: “Many of my constituents think that as far as the Government is concerned Northern Powerhouse only means Leeds and Manchester. So will the Secretary of State prove my constituents wrong by unequivocally committing to a station stop in Bradford for Northern Powerhouse Rail which is vital to the local economy?”
Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “Transport for the North are looking at options which include Bradford for Trans Pennine links and I am immensely sympathetic to that argument.”
It is not the first time Government has shown support for a station in Bradford. Previous transport ministers told Mr Davies they would be “extremely surprised” if Bradford was not included on the route.
Northern Powerhouse Rail also previously referred to as High Speed 3 will connect Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull.
Mr Davies added: “It is absolutely essential that a city the size of Bradford has a station stop on the route otherwise the economic benefits of this will only be for Leeds in West Yorkshire which is like throwing apples into an orchard that is already full. NPR is designed to unlock the economic potential of the North by transforming rail services between towns and cities and a station is vital to improving our local economy. While I am pleased the Rail Minister clearly sees the need for the station in Bradford I will keep pushing for assurances until we have confirmation we will be getting a station stop and my constituents and the wider district can benefit from this scheme.”