There will be no partying in Bradford over rail operator GNER's decision to celebrate the renewal of its contract for main-line rail travel from this region with the cancellation of one of our two direct trains to London.

It is disheartening news not only in practical terms for the people who want to travel to and from the capital without having to change but also for the way our city will continue to be perceived in the wider world.

A city virtually cut off from London, with travellers having to catch local trains which connect with the main-line ones, is not something the people of a place the size of Bradford should be prepared to accept. It will continue to reinforce the view that Bradford is Leeds's poor relation and at the end of the line.

That privileged city, meanwhile, is to have its London rail links greatly boosted to 80 trains a day. Yet to take advantage of that improved service travellers from Bradford will largely have to change at Leeds.

If Bradford is to be taken seriously as a regional player (and a huge amount of effort is being put into making that a real possibility), if it is to attract the jobs it needs to boost its future, it needs more direct links with London, not fewer, for the benefit of local people and particularly business people.

That could well prove to be an important factor in Bradford's recovery. Although there might currently be a small number of passengers using the line, they will grow. In the meantime, ways need to be found of maintaining the present two-trains-a-day service.