In a Parliamentary debate about transport and the recent Spending Review, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain has put forward a forceful case to improve transport in Bradford. In the Parliamentary debate he made the case to the Transport Minister about for a new train station in Bradford. He also pushed for Bradford to be linked into the TransPennine Express service.

The recent spending review announced £2.1 billion as part of a West Yorkshire Mass Transit System, which will help to build a new tramline between Bradford and Leeds, as well as a new bus station in Bradford.

Imran Hussain MP, said:

“I know how vital transport is to unlocking economic growth here in Bradford. I said in my speech that despite being one of the largest cities in the UK, Bradford has historically been left behind when it comes to national transport. 

“I believe that Bradford would benefit significantly from a new, modern and fit-for-purpose railway station. While I welcome improvements to Forster Square, the government needs to be more ambitious and deliver a new station that connects Bradford to the rest of the country and enables wider regeneration in our city centre.

“I also made the strong case for Bradford to be linked into the £11 billion trans-Pennine upgrade. I want to see Bradford linked Huddersfield on the trans-Pennine line.  It would give direct access to the wider region and speed up journeys to Manchester by half.

“All these measures would be a huge boost for growth. If Bradford were to meet the UK average for productivity, enterprise and employment, we would unlock over £4.5 billion in additional annual economic output.

“Maximising investment in mass transit and Bradford rail would open key regeneration and housing sites. It is central to delivering Bradford’s southern gateway—West Yorkshire’s largest regeneration opportunity—and could unlock up to 10,000 homes across the wider city centre.”