The Government has announced that a new railway station will be built on the Bradford Interchange site as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Expected to be completed in the 2030s, the station has been described as “a major milestone” for the city and “the modern transport hub that Bradford deserves”.
But it remains unclear whether it will be a through station, allowing trains to continue through Bradford rather than terminate there, something local politicians have sought for years.
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the location this morning. Further details are due to be revealed at today’s Scale Up Bradford event at Bradford Live.
The department said the station, alongside the proposed West Yorkshire Mass Transit network, would support thousands of new homes and jobs and help regenerate Bradford’s Southern Gateway.
A new railway station has long been seen as central to the city’s regeneration. The previous Labour administration had proposed a through station on the current St James’s Market site as part of the Southern Gateway scheme.
Meanwhile, the year-long closure of Bradford Interchange, caused by crumbling concrete in its basement car park, has highlighted the need for a long-term replacement for the transport hub.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked the DfT whether choosing the Interchange site meant Bradford would no longer get a through line.
The department said confirming the location would allow it to work with Bradford Council and Network Rail on detailed infrastructure options, including both a through station and a station where trains would turn back.
The LDRS has also asked how many platforms the station would have, whether it would include a bus hub, how much it would cost and whether trains would continue to terminate at the Interchange during construction.
In a statement, the DfT said: “Bradford’s connections with some of the North’s largest cities including Leeds, Manchester and York will be transformed as passengers will be able to benefit from more frequent trains, improved journey times and reliability.
“The Bradford Interchange site unlocks the potential to regenerate Bradford’s Southern Gateway, and in tandem with the proposed West Yorkshire Mass Transit, would support thousands of new homes, jobs, and up to £1 billion in economic benefits.
“The announcement marks a major milestone in the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) and the Government’s mission to drive growth in every postcode.
“The station will also become part of Great British Railways (GBR), the new publicly owned railway that will bring track and train together helping deliver a more reliable, efficient and passenger-focused railway.
“The new station will be delivered in the 2030s and replace the outdated 1970s station, providing the modern transport hub that Bradford deserves.”
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.”
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin 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.”
Bradford Council leader Stephen Place said: “Today’s announcement is a major milestone for Bradford and the North.
“The Government’s commitment to improving Bradford’s national rail connectivity removes one of the city’s biggest barriers to growth. This funding unlocks the next stage of work, with engineering studies now set to begin which will determine the final scope of the new station.
“We have always been clear that a city centre station delivers the greatest regeneration benefits.
“Better connections across the North will connect more people to jobs, skills and opportunities, while helping businesses to grow. Bradford’s young, talented and diverse workforce is one of the North’s greatest assets, and this investment will help unlock its full potential.
“A new station with faster connections to Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester will be a catalyst for investment and regeneration of the Southern Gateway which will bring new homes and jobs.”
Bradford East MP Imran Hussain welcomed the announcement but said a through station remained essential.
He said: “After years of campaigning for a new railway station, this is a major milestone in the campaign, and I am very pleased with the outcome.
“For me it’s all about jobs for the next generation. For too long, Bradford’s economic potential has been held back by poor rail connectivity and decades of underinvestment. Despite being one of Britain’s largest cities, Bradford has remained disconnected from the fast east-west rail links serving other major northern cities.
“The next milestone will be the decision on the through line. It is vital that the new station is a through station, rather than a terminus. It will support regeneration, open up access to jobs and opportunity, and help bring new businesses and investment into Bradford.
“I will continue fighting to ensure that this new station and the wider Northern Powerhouse Rail network deliver the transformation Bradford has been promised and deserves. A fully connected Bradford will help lift the economy of the entire region.”
