Rail Minister Huw Merriman has confirmed a £24 million investment towards a new platform at Bradford’s Forster Square Station to reduce delays and futureproof the station.
The new platform will ease congestion and improve access into the city for passengers, commuters and tourists.
Once complete – and subject to future funding decisions – this could result in an extra five daily LNER services, more than tripling the current provision.
Mr Merriman said: “Bradford is benefitting from serious investment in rail infrastructure with £24 million towards a new platform for Forster Square Station helping to improve rail journeys, increase rail services and better connect passengers.
“This investment follows £2 billion for Bradford to better connect the city, including with a new station, and to facilitate faster rail journeys to Manchester via Huddersfield as part of our Network North plan, with further funding recently announced to help with the planning work for that station – demonstrating this government’s plan to invest in rail infrastructure in the region.”
This announcement comes as Bradford prepares to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2025, with the Minister attending a meeting with local leaders and businesses today to discuss plans to deliver a new government-funded station in the city.
The government’s £36 billion Network North plan to improve local transport connections included £2 billion to provide a new station at Bradford and a new connection to improve journey times from the city to Manchester via Huddersfield.
Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East route, said: “This funding will enable us to deliver extra platform capacity at Bradford Forster Square and allow for improved rail connections for passengers in the future.
“We look forward to working with the Department for Transport, Bradford Council and other stakeholders to deliver these upgrades for people travelling to and from the city.”
