Passengers in Bradford are now benefiting from improved,
increased rail journeys thanks to a multi-million-pound
Government boost.
Today (19 May 2025) saw the opening of a brand-new platform
at Forster Square Station, which is already facilitating five
additional services a day between Bradford and London.
The new platform and improved station infrastructure will ease
congestion and increase access into the city for passengers,
commuters and tourists.
Minister for Local Transport, , 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.”
The new services to Bradford come at a key time as they celebrate
being the UK's City of Culture for 2025.
Visitors enjoying the celebrations throughout the year will make
use of the enhanced timetable, which sees the first train from
London to Bradford now arrive at 09:52 compared with 19:30
previously.
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.”
Today's unveiling is part of the Government's wider commitment to
investing in transport infrastructure across the North of England
and its wider Plan for Change.
Thanks to a £10 billion cash injection from the Government, the
TransPennine Route Upgrade will provide more capacity on faster,
more reliable, greener journeys between Manchester, Leeds and
York.
Leeds, Bradford, and Huddersfield will see their connectivity
further improved thanks to the Government's providing £200
million development funding to the West Yorkshire Combined
Authority for the West Yorkshire Mass Transit System.
Mayor of West Yorkshire 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.”
Cllr , Leader of Bradford
Council said:
"I'm so pleased about the new Platform 0 and the important London
services that will now happen as a result of the investment.
"A major city like Bradford needs to be better connected, not
just to the Capital, but also to other major cities in the
country. We've been able to work with Government, Network
Rail and the train operators to make this happen in this major
year for us.
"These services will provide local people with better access to
more and better jobs not just for this year but permanently.
"There will be more opportunity to travel for education and
training, and cultural experiences, as well as giving
people from across the country more opportunity to visit us and
experience all we have to offer."
