The government has announced a £24 million investment for a new platform at Forster Square Station in Bradford.
Rail Minister Huw Merriman unveiled the news, which he said highlighted the government's commitment to improving rail infrastructure in the North. This investment complements the previously announced £2 billion for a new Bradford station and faster Manchester connections via Huddersfield.
The new platform is expected to accommodate five additional London North Eastern Railway (LNER) services daily, more than tripling the current provision. With the added capacity, it’ll provide improved connectivity to the south and London.
Passengers set to benefit from improved rail journeys thanks to £24million in funding from @transportgovuk for new platform at Forster Square Station to ease congestion, improve access into the city for passengers & could add 5 more @LNER services a dayhttps://t.co/fNLUcHDt9M pic.twitter.com/uAAS96gKVK
— Bradford Council (@bradfordmdc) January 30, 2024
The investment also comes as Bradford gears up to its year as UK’s Capital of Culture in 2025.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, expressed her delight at securing the funding, commenting, “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to secure this new investment from government. It’s good to see they now recognise the value of Bradford being better connected to the entire Northern economy.
“The new platform at Forster Square Station will provide much-needed additional capacity and connectivity for Bradford in time for the district’s year as City of Culture in 2025 and for generations to come, enabling greater mobility and access to opportunity across the district.”
Alongside the £2 billion pound new station, a further £400,000 has been committed to Bradford, which will help accelerate the council’s masterplans for the new station and help it become the ‘Kings Cross for the North’.
Rail minister, Huw 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.”
Further investment in the area includes £500 million already committed to upgrade and electrify the Bradford-Leeds railway and the £2.5 billion Network North pledge for the West Yorkshire Mass Transit System.
Photo Credit: iStock
