BRADFORD Council leader David Green has pledged to maintain pressure to ensure the district benefits from improved major infrastructure plans - including the newly proposed HS3 trans-Pennine high speed rail link.

Councillor Green acknowledged that HS2 company chief Sir David Higgins's new report on rail links had taken on board concerns raised by Bradford, and other areas not directly on the HS2 London-Leeds route, but said pressure would be kept up to ensure the district did not miss out.

He said: "Some of the concerns we've raised about the HS2 proposals have clearly been recognised in the new report and the proposals for HS3 in the north. There are few details at this stage and we will continue to press the interests of the Bradford district."

Businesses have welcomed the HS3 proposal which would improve east-west rail journeys across northern England.

Bradford Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sandy Needham said slashing travel times between northern cities would be vital to attracting and keeping skilled people.

She welcomed plans to create a Transport for the North body with a director to focus solely on improved regional infrastructure.

The Confederation of British Industry regional director John Huddleston said:"This report sets out a clear blueprint for the next phase of HS2. Businesses across the region will welcome Sir David's commitment to boosting growth, jobs and investment.

"It is important that Northern cities speak with one voice and it's important that local transport providers and businesses are also involved if we are to prioritise the most cost-effective and beneficial upgrades for the north as a whole.

“Sir David is right to focus on improving east-west links and the priority must be on boosting connections not speed. Any proposals must be well thought-out and the business case water-tight."

Speaking during a visit to Leeds, Prime minister David Cameron he was a "passionate" believer in high-speed rail and going ahead with HS2 was the right thing to do.

He endorsed plans by Sir David Higgins on the second phase of the £50 billion HS2 project and also plans for a £7 billion HS3 scheme.

Mr Cameron said: "Improving connectivity and reducing journey times between our great northern cities is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan for the North to boost businesses and create more jobs and security for hard-working people. That's why we are backing HS3."

Sir David Higgins said his HS3 plans were "a start of a conversation".

He added: "This is not just a single project. It's more than the eye-catching journey-time reductions. HS3 will give Northern England rail services twice the capacity and much more reliability."

Andrew Mason, managing director of Shipley-based Newmason Properties and an ardent opponent of HS2, staged a one-man protest outside the update in Leeds.