BRADFORD is to get more trains to London but passengers must face a three-year wait first.

The Office of Rail Regulation today approved a request from Virgin Trains East Coast to run a service every two hours from the city's Forster Square station to the capital, starting in 2019.

There will still be four trains a day running from Bradford Interchange to London King’s Cross, operated by Grand Central, which will stop at Low Moor when the new station opens.

Bradford Council Deputy Leader Val Slater, who is Executive Member for Transport, said: "I wholeheartedly welcome this announcement. It is great news for Bradford.

"The future prosperity of the city and the region depends upon efficient and reliable transport links, particularly with the capital city.

"It will bring improved links to London from both sides of the city."

She added: "Together with the new rail franchise improvements next year, new stations at Apperley Bridge and Low Moor, and the proposed major refurbishment of Forster Square station, Bradford is poised for a prolonged period of sustainable rail transport development with all the economic benefits that brings.”

Sandy Needham, Chief Executive of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "It's good news. It's one of the things we wanted to see in making these connections. Being well-connected is important for businesses. It's been a good decision. We'd like to see it happen sooner but it'll be worth the wait when it happens."

The news has also been welcomed by the city and district's rail user groups.

James Vasey, chairman of Bradford Rail User Group, said: "We will be a more-connected city which is very good news. We will also be getting more new trains as we approach 2019, so they will be faster and more comfortable for passengers.

"The only criticism is that the services are all going south and not going north to Edinburgh and Glasgow."

He added: "With the doubling of capacity we will need to make sure that we have a control of fares. We don't want them to be too expensive for people to sit on. The new service will coincide with the redevelopment of Bradford Forster Square as well."

And Tim Calow, chairman of the Aire Valley Rail Users Group, said: "We are looking forward to the improved East Coast services down to London and we hope that they are a success. It would also be good to see them coming further along the Airedale line."