Planning begins for new train station for Bradford

Bradford, the UK City of Culture, is to get a new railway station.

The plans, which were first announced last month, are part of Network North.

The Department for Transport has given £400,000 to the local authority to kickstart master planning on the project.

The planning will consider how the new station can best support regeneration in the surrounding area and maximise its potential to create new homes, jobs and local economic growth – as well as significantly improving transport links and cutting journey times.

The findings of the investigation will be used to form part of a wider business case for the project which will include details on the proposed location and delivery date for the station.

Rail minister, Huw Merriman, said: "I have championed the case for a new railway station in Bradford for a long time and the funding announced today will make this commitment one step closer to becoming a reality.  

"Bradford is soon to become the UK’s ‘City of Culture’ and our scheme to deliver a brand new station and railway line will help attract tourism, unlock access to neighbouring cities and provide the area with the huge regeneration opportunities it deserves to boost connectivity and economic growth."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: "It is good to see this moving forward, everyone has worked so hard for so long to get this progressed. Improving connectivity for Bradford to the rest of the North is so important to enable greater investment, jobs and opportunities.  There can be no successful North without Bradford being successful."