Money to pay for the first stage of work on a new station for Bradford has been announced, following the publication of the Network North proposals last month.
The Network North schemes cover most of the country, and include projects in Devon and Cambridgeshire as well as the north of England. The government said last month that it would be investing £36 billion in the ‘long term’ schemes, which would include road improvements as well as railways and a new tram system for Leeds, all funded by money released from the cancellation of HS2 to Crewe and Manchester.
Department for Transport permanent secretary Dame Bernadette Kelly has pointed out that HS2 between the West Midlands and Crewe cannot be abandoned without a further Act of Parliament, and the £400,000 allocated to Bradford comes from the previously announced West Yorkshire Devolution deal.
The Network North proposals include £2 billion for Bradford’s new station, although it is not yet known where it will be built, or on what line.
For now, the initial grant will fund the preparation of a master plan for the station by the council. The DfT said the work will examine how the new station can support regeneration and make the most of its potential to create new homes, jobs and economic growth.
Once complete, the findings will form part of a wider business case for the project which will include details of the proposed location and opening date.
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.’