PLANS for more direct trains from Bradford to London have been plunged into doubt by the imminent collapse of a rail franchise.

Local transport chiefs have called on the Government to guarantee that Bradford will still get the planned rail improvements, despite the turmoil surrounding the East Coast franchise.

Earlier this month Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the current franchise, run by Stagecoach and Virgin, had “breached a key financial covenant” and would be terminated within months.

The franchise included plans to increase the number of direct trains each day from Bradford Forster Square to London from one to seven from May 2019.

Now bosses at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have written to Mr Grayling, calling on him to guarantee that this and other planned rail improvements for West Yorkshire will still go ahead.

The letter, signed by Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, chairman of the Combined Authority and leader of Bradford Council, and Councillor Keith Wakefield, chairman of the Combined Authority’s transport committee, asks Mr Grayling for a “written assurance that the current commitments will be honoured”.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “While it is clear that lessons need to be learned from another failure of the InterCity East Coast franchise, our immediate priority is to ensure that the improvements passengers have been promised will be delivered.

“As the Secretary of State considers next steps it is important the plans he puts in place include the commitments to the Leeds City Region secured in the current franchise agreement.”

Speaking to the House of Commons earlier this month, Mr Grayling said the franchise had “met all its financial commitments to the taxpayer” but this had cost Stagecoach nearly £200 million.

He said: “The problem is that Stagecoach got its numbers wrong. It overbid and is now paying a price.”

Mr Grayling said they were looking at options for the future of the service, which included the possibility that the Government could step in to run it.

The end of the franchise had already been brought forward from 2023 to 2020, with a new partnership set to take it on from then.

He said: “The priority now is to ensure the continued smooth running of the East Coast franchise for its passengers.

“I have therefore asked my officials to conduct a full appraisal of the options available to the government to ensure continuity of service until we implement the East Coast Partnership on the route from 2020.

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“My decision on which option to choose will be made in accordance with the key principles set out in the statement on how I use my rail franchising powers.

“This includes protecting the interests of passengers, preserving the interests of taxpayers, by ensuring value for money [and] supporting investment and improvement in the railway.”