BRADFORD MPs and key leaders in the district have spoken of their concern that Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) was "notably absent" from last week's Budget announcement. 

In a joint letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the letter, signed by MPs Naz Shah, Philip Davies and Robbie Moore, along with Trevor Higgins, Chief Executive of Bradford Breakthrough and Sandy Needham DL, Chief Executive West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, they said: "The current government and successive Conservative governments have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to the NPR project.

"Indeed the, Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, has shown his support for the project and his commitment to a link through Bradford.

"The NPR has been described as the region’s single biggest transport investment since the Industrial Revolution, as it will be critically important to aiding economic growth in the wider region but particularly in the city of Bradford."

They added: "Without the NPR, the government cannot be true to its levelling up agenda. The anticipated impact the NPR will have on the North, by transforming the northern job market and bringing greater economic opportunities to people in deprived areas like Bradford cannot be overlooked.

"It is clear to us, that Bradford has had a cul-de-sac status compared to Leeds and Greater Manchester despite its historic role in driving economic growth. It concerns us that Bradford’s current role in the government’s levelling up agenda and post-covid economic recovery continues to be undervalued.

"We the undersigned, have made various representations on the matter. Thus, we seek a firm commitment from the Government for the completion of the NPR with a Bradford Stop and, your commitment to levelling up Bradford to drive economic growth and to provide greater opportunities to the region."

Commenting on the letter, Ms Shah, Bradford West MP, said: "In the recent budget, the Chancellor spoke a lot about levelling up the north but failed to mention the Northern Powerhouse Rail even once. Without Northern Powerhouse Rail and an effective transport system, Bradford cannot attract greater economic opportunities and investment to the city.
 
"Judith Cummins MP has already done some great work in raising the need for Northern Powerhouse Rail in Bradford." 

"As district MPs and regional leaders, we are all united on the need for Northern Powerhouse Rail with a Bradford stop, to ensure levelling up really takes place."

Dr Higgins added: "In my capacity as CEO of Bradford Breakthrough I am delighted to offer my full support to the letter, sent by Naz Shah MP to RH Rishi Sunak MP, seeking firm commitment from the Government for the completion of the Northern Powerhouse Rail with a Bradford city-centre stop."

"Breakthrough has been lobbying on this for many years. Indeed in 2016 we took a delegation of our members, accompanied by all Bradford's MPs and Peers, to Parliament to lobby the then Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, on this issue.

"Chris was very supportive of our case, stating, 'it is simply not acceptable in this day and age for Bradford to be stuck with a third world transport infrastructure'.

"Regrettably, nothing has changed. Hopefully this time the Government will provide a station that will finally bring Bradford into the 21st Century."