RAIL campaigners in Bradford, Calderdale and other parts of Yorkshire fear direct trains between their towns and London, at present suspended during the pandemic, could be permanently lost.

Railfuture Yorkshire Branch and five local rail user groups – including Bradford's – have written to Government calling for action to ensure the survival of the Grand Central Service to London from Bradford, Halifax, Brighouse and Mirfield; and the Hull Trains service from Beverley , Hull, Brough, Selby and Doncaster.

Unlike LNER, these are Open Access operators, the result of entrepreneurial initiatives to plug gaps in the franchised services. Unlike the franchised operators, GC and HT have not been given management contracts to run train services until October – a situation which will have to continue into the foreseeable future. Most Grand Central and Hull Trains staff are currently furloughed, and no trains are operating.

Railfuture Yorkshire Chair, Nina Smith said: “These have become vital services to business and leisure travellers in the areas they serve. It would be a damaging blow to the local economies in many areas of Yorkshire if these services are not resumed once the pandemic is over and normal rail travel is safe again.”

Pontefract Civic Society Chairman Paul Cartwright said ”Grand Central is essential for Pontefract, a town that needs better rail services to help boost the local economy. We want all Grand Central trains to stop at Pontefract, and we need better local services

Stephen Waring, Chair of HADRAG, the Halifax & District Rail Action Group added: “Just ten years since Grand Central started running four trains daily from Halifax and Brighouse to and from London, the service is suspended during the pandemic. The worry is this could become permanent. But these trains are no longer a luxury. We’ve come to see them as part our essential rail service.”

David Pennie of the Hull & East Riding Rail Users' Association said "Hull Trains are essential for the economy not only of Hull, but the East Riding as a whole."

Terry French, Secretary of the Selby Rail Users Group added "Hull Trains services are vital for the Selby District which has the highest predicted population growth in North Yorkshire."