Keighley’s MP Robbie Moore has welcomed news that the Government will reassess its decision to scrap plans for a new Bradford railway station.
The MP previously criticised former Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps after plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail, which included a stop in Bradford were initally scrapped, stating at the time that Keighley and Bradford had been "shortchanged".
The MP has been lobbying the Department for Transport for the reinstatement of the plans in the time since, with Mr Moore welcoming today’s news as a “a positive step forward” for Keighley residents.
A report released by the government last night (12 July) confirmed "a reassessment of the evidence for better connecting Bradford and the case for a new station" would now take place as part of the government's Integrated Rail Plan.
Speaking in the House of Commons Chamber this morning (13 July), Mr Moore said:
"After much lobbying I'm also very pleased to hear that the government have announced that the integrated rail plan will be reviewed and a new station could be considered in Bradford. Will the minister meet with me to discuss this important issue and also prioritise so we can move at speed because this will bring better connectivity and economic prosperity to not only Bradford but Keighley as well."
The government’s Rail Minister Huw Merriman responded:
"Can I thank him, he's been involved in this project for the last couple of years in terms of being able to make the case for Bradford. Bradford is our youngest city in terms of age population, our fifth largest in terms of region, and we firmly believe that levelling up means delivering for Bradford.
Despite being Britain’s 7th biggest city, a national data analysis of over 3,000 railway journeys found Bradford to be Britain’s worst-connected major city
If delivered, the network is predicted to contribute £14.4 billion in annual gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy by 2060 and create up to 74,000 new jobs in the North (source: Transport For the North).
Reacting to the news, Robbie Moore MP said:
"The decision to revisit the proposal after the Bradford District was previously short-changed by the government’s Integrated Rail Plan announcement is a positive step forward, and I thank the government to listening to my constant lobbying with the Department for Transport on this issue.
Despite being one of Britain's biggest cities, Bradford's connectivity has been severely lacking, which affects my constituents in Keighley and our wider area. The government’s announcement today that they will now reconsider a new station in Bradford as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail development plan is exceptionally good news, as this will create much better connectivity for the District and drive positive economic prosperity for not only Bradford City, but Keighley and our wider area.
Today, in the House of Commons chamber, I welcomed this news, but also pushed the Secretary of State for Transport to meet with me and prioritise this very important issue.
I will continue to do all I can to work collaboratively with the government and ensure that our transport infrastructure receives the attention it deserves."
