A BOOST in the number of direct trains between Bradford and London will still go ahead, despite the collapse of the East Coast franchise, Parliament has been told.

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.

Local transport chiefs had called on the Government to guarantee that Bradford will still get the planned rail improvements, despite the turmoil surrounding the contract.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the service improvements promised under the Stagecoach and Virgin-run franchise "will be delivered", despite the imminent ending of the contract.

He said: "We face an issue on infrastructure and additional capacities on the northern part of the route, which will have to be resolved and may mean some amendments to the timetable for new services, but that will not stop us delivering those new services. In Bradford’s case, I am expecting to be able to fulfil the commitments that were made."

Mr Grayling was responding to a question from Labour's Bradford East MP Imran Hussain, who said the "chaos" over the franchise collapse had put the addition of new trains in serious doubt.

Mr Hussain said: "These extra trains are vital to improving Bradford’s connection to the rest of the country."