HOPES for faster rail journeys between Bradford and Manchester appear doomed, after a shock “pause” to a flagship electrification scheme.

The planned upgrade of the TransPennine route – from Leeds, via Huddersfield - was suddenly shelved by the Government, which blamed rising costs and delays.

The news triggered alarm in Bradford because of the inevitable knock-on effect on separate plans to electrify the Calder Valley line, from Bradford to Manchester, via Halifax.

James Vasey, chairman of Bradford Rail Users' Group, said he feared passengers might have now have to wait up to 15 years for electrification.

Yet, only three months ago, the line was described as a priority by the North of England Electrification Task Force – set up by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

The taskforce highlighted the Calder Valley line as one of 12 in the north which required upgrades by 2024, because of the economic boost it would deliver.

Now, there is no guarantee the TransPennine electrification will be completed by 2024 – let alone any further upgrades.

Under fierce questioning, Mr McLoughlin refused to say how long the “pause” will last – and admitted electrification of the London to Swansea route is his “priority”.

He was also accused of covering up the bad news until after the general election was safely out of the way.

Councillor David Green, leader of Labour-run Bradford Council, described further delay as unacceptable and said it flew in the face of Government promises to build a 'Northern powerhouse'.

He said: “Either someone has made massive errors in their previous estimates (of cost) and misled the people of the North, or this is cover for further public spending restrictions.

“Whichever is the case, it is totally unacceptable.”

Cllr Green said he would be seeking an urgent meeting with the Transport Secretary, adding: “We need this for the economy and we need the work to start yesterday.”

Mr Vasey said Calder Valley rail line users would have to put up with slower, older diesel trains that he described as "cramped and uncomfortable”.

And he added: “The investment in new rolling stock was dependent on the electrification of the line. This has now been thrown into jeopardy.”

The Telegraph & Argus asked the Department for Transport where the TransPennine “pause” left hopes for the Calder Valley electrification, but it was unable to say.

Embarrassingly, the TransPennine route was the only major new cross-Northern rail scheme in the pipeline and was, therefore, seen as crucial to the so-called ‘Northern Powerhouse’ project.

Just two weeks ago, David Cameron told MPs that the Northern Powerhouse “means linking the great cities of the North of England and making the most of them”.