THE creation of a new rail station in Bradford to “unleash the city’s economic potential” is one of the key priorities of a review into Yorkshire’s rail network.
Headed up by Lord David Blunkett, the review says Yorkshire needs to “come out fighting” to improve its “creaking Victorian network.”
Among the recommendations in the review- published today, are that early delivery of a planned through station in Bradford city centre is treated as “a priority.”
Highlighting the existing poor links, the review says: “Bradford remains disconnected from the TransPennine Route Corridor and onward to Manchester, significantly constraining the realisation of the growth potential of Britain’s youngest city.”
The review is being unveiled at an event in Leeds later today, which will be attended by Lord Blunkett and numerous political leaders from across Yorkshire.
It follows the scrapping of two major rail projects in the region by the previous Government – the HS2 leg to Leeds and the Northern Powerhouse Rail line, a high speed line that would connect the major cities of the North.
It urges Government to make investment in Yorkshire’s rail network a major part of its upcoming 10-year infrastructure plan and spending review.
The review seeks £2.4 billion for the first phase of improvements between now and 2030 and approximately £14 billion over the next 15 years to deliver the plan in its entirety.
Introducing the review, Lord Blunkett said: “The White Rose agreement, signed by the Mayors of West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and York and North Yorkshire, presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver a credible and affordable plan to improve rail connectivity, and unlock economic growth and opportunities for all.”
“For too long, Yorkshire has punched under its weight. It is time to come out fighting and to ensure that economic growth, productivity and prosperity are shared more equally across our country.”
The report highlights the existing issues facing the local rail network, the report says: “We require competitive connections to the international gateway of Manchester Airport, with the airport’s own growth plans consistently identifying poor rail connectivity to the Bradford and Sheffield economy as a major constraint to its potential as an economic asset for the North.”
On Bradford, the review says: “Unlocking the opportunity in Bradford through major infrastructure improvements, regeneration and opportunities such as UK City of Culture 2025 is key to driving growth in West Yorkshire
“Bradford has a history of poor connectivity and weak rail links, being the only major Northern city not on a main line to London or directly connected to fast cross-Pennine routes.
“This means the city sees very low rail demand when compared to other cities of a similar size.
“The absence of effective rail connections between Bradford and Manchester Airport is a major constraint to unleashing the economic potential of the city’s economy.
“Rail journey times between Bradford and Leeds also constrains the potential for agglomeration benefits between the cities that have a combined population of 1.3 million people.
“To address this the Government, Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have committed to development of a new through station in the city and a new link to the TRU corridor at Huddersfield, building on a previous commitment to electrify the line between Leeds and Bradford. This will enable services to operate from Leeds via Bradford and onward to Manchester/Manchester Airport.
“Early delivery of this package of proposals is a priority for the region, as it will provide Bradford with a 10-minute journey time to Huddersfield, 12 minutes to Leeds and 30 minutes to Manchester.
“It will be complemented by the West Yorkshire Tram Bradford line. West Yorkshire has identified the development and delivery of the new station and the wider rail package as a strategic economic priority in its Local Growth Plan. The station will be a catalyst for the Southern Gateway, one of the UK’s largest regeneration sites (126 ha) supporting 5,000 new homes, 23,000 jobs, 440,000 sqm employment space and an annual £1.12 billion GVA uplift; and it will provide a transformational impact on economic activity, productivity and employment across the city.”
It also points out how there are major capacity issues in some of Yorkshire’s busiest stations, adding: “Addressing rail capacity issues at Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford Interchange is critical.”
Referring to the poor connectivity between Yorkshire cities, the review says: “It emphasises how poorly connected Bradford is, with no direct services between Bradford and Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport and Sheffield, and only an hourly semi-fast service to York.”
By: Chris Young, LDRS
