THE local community is united in celebration after being given through trains to London.
Halifax MP Linda Riordan said: "This is wonderful news and a huge boost.
"It will create new jobs, take cars off the road and provide the people with a long overdue direct rail link to London.
"The benefits will be considerable. This was a fi
rst class bid and it's the culmulation of a lot of hard work by the train operator who I pay tribute to in securing this service.
"It is a really good day for the town and I am delighted Halifax is back on the mainline railway map."
Calder Valley MP Chirs McCafferty said she was delighted at the news.
"I welcome the increased competition on the East Coast Main Line and am pleased that local people will have a speedier journey, with more trains to choose from and easier access," she said.
"For too long, local people have had to travel via Leeds or Manchester with the additional travel times and cost this incurs.
'Wonderul news': Linda Riordan
Chris McCafferty: increased competition welcome
"I was pleased to support Grand Union and I hope that these new services will see cheaper train services to the capital."
Calderdale Council's Labour Group congratulated all those who rallied round to earn a positive decision including the huge Courier On Track campaign.
Labour leader Tim Swift said: "It is high time Halifax and Brighouse benefited from improved transport links to London, and I would like to congratulate Grand Union, The Courier, Linda Riordan and all of us on Calderdale Council who have been campaigning hard to win this service."
Calderdale Council spokeswoman Amanda Byrne, who has responsibility for regeneration and development, said the authority was thrilled.
'Council is delighted': Amanda Byrne
Tim Swift: congratulations
"The Council is absolutely delighted with this decision and the impact it will have on the local economy," said Coun Byrne (Con, Sowerby Bridge).
"In the current economic climate it gives the borough a real boost to respond to these challenging times.
"It also ensures we are well placed to compete with neighbouring authorities to attract new businesses and inward investment.
"We have a tremendous number of successful companies across Calderdale and this decision provides a real boost to their ability to retain existing business and expand in the future."
Craig Whittaker, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the Calder Valley, said businesses were now being put on a much more level playing field when competing with neighbouring towns.
"I was lucky enough to attend the Courier Business Awards and see many innovative and really successful businesses from sole traders to international exporters," he said.
Praise for campaign: Keith Watson
'Significant benefits to businesses': Craig Whittaker
"I engage with many businesses and I know this decision really will deliver significant benefits to both local businesses and residents alike."
Keith Watson (Con, Greetland/Stainland) has a long interest in railways and has been working closely with Grand Union in recent years to bring services to Calderdale.
He praised the Courier's On Track campaign and said it was good news for Halifax and the Calder Valley.
"This is a result of prolonged and sustained lobbying of all relevant bodies and the Courier campaign.
"It will take thousands of cars off Calderdale's roads which have been making journeys to Wakefield and Leeds to catch the London services."
