The opening of a new platform at Forster Square Station in Bradford has facilitated an additional five services per day between Bradford and London.
The introduction of the new platform, which was made possible via a multi-million pound funding boost provided by the government, is hoped to both ease congestion and increase access to the city.
Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood, who officially opened the platform, said:Thanks to £35 million of Government investment, rail passengers in Bradford will now be connected to more jobs, education, and business opportunities.
These additional services will not only create a more reliable and comfortable journey, but bring an estimated extra £4 million into the local economy each year.
After decades of underfunding, this Government is investing in change for the people of Yorkshire by delivering the transport system they deserve.
Newly introduced services see the first train from London to Bradford arrive at 09:52, a stark contrast to the previous first arrival which would typically arrive at 19:30 each day.
The Local Transport Minister continued:You cannot achieve real growth without the transport connectivity to support it.
We have an ambitious Plan for Change that’s making a real difference for the people of West Yorkshire, evidenced by large scale projects like this one.
The extra 1.9 million seats annually, increasing weekday services to Bradford by 250%, show that we are delivering our plan, creating more jobs and more opportunities.
The unveiling of the platform forms part of the Government’s commitment to transport infrastructure investment across the North of England, as well as its wider Plan for Change, which has also seen a 10 billion GBP injection provided to the TransPennine Route Upgrade, which aims to provide more capacity on journeys between Manchester, Leeds and York.
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said:There is such a positive energy in Bradford at the moment, with the recent transformation of the city centre and the series of amazing City of Culture events.
Increasing capacity at one of West Yorkshire’s flagship city centre stations means the city can really build on this momentum.
This will help us to create a transport system to be proud of and is vital to helping us create a more prosperous and better-connected region.
