MOVES have been made to compulsory purchase a key piece of land for a new railway station at Low Moor in Bradford.

Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are working together on the £10.5 million project, which is on track to open in the December 2015 timetable.

Construction of the new station and platform building is dependent upon the final piece of land being acquired and the WYCA has now submitted a compulsory purchase order to allow it to buy up the key piece of land.

The plot is to the south of the railway corridor and the north of 120 Dealburn Road, Low Moor, and covers more than 1,000 sq m.

Slightly amended plans have also been lodged with the Council to replace the ramp and staircase access with stairs and lifts, similar to those at Shipley Station.

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The latest from WYCA suggests another major step forward has been taken with the appointment of a contractor, which is working on the detailed design proposals.

In addition the Council is working on delivering the associated highway works, which covers the necessary road and junction improvements to New Works Road and Cleckheaton Road.

Network Rail was appointed earlier to facilitate a contractor to deliver the stations platforms, the 131 space car park and pedestrian access elements of the scheme.

The new station, which received planning permission in May, is being built off New Works Road, Low Moor, with a link to the Spen Valley Greenway cycle route.

The station has been designed to improve public transport facilities from the south of the district to Bradford city centre, Leeds, Halifax, Brighouse and beyond.

Councillor Val Slater, the Council's executive member for transport, said they were still hoping to purchase the land without the need for the CPO, but the move was a "belt and braces" approach in case the deal fell through.

"The planning revisions are minor. If we have a lift rather than a ramp less land is required and it makes the build easier.

"I am very pleased that the project is going through. It has been a battle to get to this stage and we pleased that it is on track."

Work is also progressing well on Bradford's newest train station at Apperley Bridge.

The £8m scheme is on course to be open to passengers at the end of August.

Construction firm Spencer confirmed at the end of last month that the build was on target with the passenger platforms, 300-space car park and access road well under way.