A campaign group has called for new train services between Bradford and Sheffield, saying train users need “big improvements now.”
The Halifax and District Rail Action Group believes a service of through trains from Bradford, Halifax, Elland and Brighouse, via Mirfield then via Barnsley or Wakefield – to Sheffield, could be a game changer for the region.
The group has made the comments in response to West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s draft local transport plan, which sets out what improvements are needed in the region over the coming years.
The plan includes a call for a new through station in Bradford and the much publicised tram network – which will initially link Bradford and Leeds before being expanded across other areas of West Yorkshire.
But HADRAG say local travellers must not be forced to wait for these schemes – which might never reach the Calder Valley, saying: “Train users – actual and would-be – need big improvements now.”
Services proposed by the group could also serve Meadowhall shopping centre, and a possible new station could be built at Horbury for Ossett.
A statement from the group – released on Tuesday, said: “This would be much more direct, and much faster than present indirect journeys from Bradford and Calderdale changing trains at Leeds.
“The service would fill a serious gap in the regional rail network.
“Brighouse to Sheffield via Barnsley could take about 50 minutes, a massive improvement.”
Stephen Waring, Chair of Hadrag said: “Bradford and even more so Calderdale rail users are sick and tired of having to go via Leeds and change trains if they want to get to Sheffield and the East Midlands. It can take the best part of two hours just to reach Sheffield. A direct route would almost halve some of these times.”
The route via Barnsley would need the “Crigglestone curve”, mothballed since the late 1980s, to be reopened. As an early measure the service could go via Wakefield Kirkgate – a less costly alternative with lower track costs and only a small increase in journey time compared with the Barnsley route.
“It could open up the market for Bradford-Wakefield journeys,” added Mr Waring. “Longer-term, both routes could be developed.
“We also expect WYCA to maintain commitment to more and faster trains from the new station due to open soon at Elland as well as Brighouse to Leeds via Dewsbury.
Hadrag says local rail users – present and would-be – “must not be kept waiting decades for new high-speed lines that will not serve local stations.”
Mr Waring added: “We believe an upgraded Calder Valley line could deliver extra trains taking 40 minutes Bradford-Manchester serving Halifax and Rochdale. This would be at a fraction of the cost of a new high-speed line. Hadrag wants affordable upgrades, with benefits in our lifetimes.
“We have a shopping list of schemes to benefit not just Bradford and Halifax but also the lines through Elland, Brighouse and eastwards. We need action on this shopping list now.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted WYCA and Network Rail for a response to HADRAG’s “wishlist.”
