New station announced for Bradford could bring more frequent train services through Halifax
Calderdale passengers travelling through Bradford are set to see major changes as the Government announces a new station on the Bradford Interchange site.
The new station is expected to be completed in the 2030s and aims provide improved links to Leeds, York and Manchester.
This could mean more services running through Halifax between Manchester and Bradford onto Leeds along the Calder Valley line.
The announcement by Department for Transport is part of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) and the station will also become part of Great British Railways (GBR), the new publicly owned railway aiming to bring track and train together helping deliver a more reliable, efficient and passenger-focused railway.
It was said NPR will deliver a turn-up-and-go railway for passengers from Bradford, meaning multiple trains an hour will run frequently enough between major cities across the North that passengers won’t need to check a timetable before going to the station.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: "Today marks an important milestone for Bradford with a brand-new station that will transform how people travel across the North.
"By bringing Northern Powerhouse Rail into the heart of the city, we are unlocking the huge potential Bradford offers - improving connections, supporting economic growth and setting the foundations for new homes, jobs and opportunities across the region."
The new GBR station is said to be delivered in the 2030s and replace the outdated 1970s station, providing the modern transport hub that Bradford deserves.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Today is an exciting and important milestone for Bradford, with an iron clad commitment to a new station in the city centre.
“Bradford has so much untapped potential, and faster, more frequent trains to Leeds and Manchester, and the transformation of the city centre through Bradford City Village, will help to finally unleash it.
“Together with investment for northern powerhouse rail, a mass transit system for West Yorkshire and our brand-new Weaver Network, we are working in lockstep with the government to deliver a better-connected region.”