A new railway station will be built in Bradford to "transform how people travel across the north," the government has announced. This station will be at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) scheme, constructed on the current Bradford Interchange site, enabling through trains between Leeds and Manchester.
Key Features of the New Station
- More frequent and faster services expected to support new homes and jobs in Bradford.
- Located alongside the Southern Gateway regeneration project and connecting to the proposed tram to Leeds.
- Expected completion by the mid-2030s.
Approval of the station has been viewed by northern leaders as a critical sign of political commitment to enhancing rail links across the north, especially after prolonged delays in delivering promised upgrades. The Department for Transport stated that NPR would facilitate a "turn-up-and-go railway" for passengers from Bradford, with sufficiently frequent trains that eliminate the need to check timetables.
Statements from Officials
Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, remarked:
“"Today marks an important milestone for Bradford with a brand-new station that will transform how people travel across the north."
According to Bradford council, the new station, along with the proposed West Yorkshire mass transit network (commonly known as the Leeds tram), is projected to bring over £1 billion in economic benefits. Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, emphasized:
“"Bradford has so much untapped potential, and faster, more frequent trains to Leeds and Manchester, and the transformation of the city centre will help to finally unleash it."
