The news that Bradford and district could be in line for new rail services is most welcome.

Despite all the understandable doom and gloom around at present, it is a sign of faith in the long-term future of the city, district and wider region.

Whenever such plans are announced, the first services people tend to look for are direct links to London.

That is understandable, because while there are already existing services of this kind, we are not exactly spoilt for choice either, and they are undoubtedly important, especially for business users.

The plans by Alliance Rail Holdings are certainly impressive in this regard, with direct trains planned from Bradford to the capital by both the East Coast Line and West Coast Line, although the devil will, as always, be in the detail.

But it is the impact the company’s proposals could have closer to home that will really make many sit up and take notice, restoring Bradford’s direct rail links to both Hull and Liverpool and introducing a fast train to Manchester, for example.

Transport links between the powerhouse cities of the North have been inadequate for too long, something that has undoubtedly had an adverse impact here as elsewhere.

These proposals would begin to address some of those inadequacies while giving Bradford a timely boost.