LOCAL Government bosses are still waiting for more details on plans to electrify the rail line between Bradford and Leeds.

The proposals were announced as part of the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan seven months ago, at the same time it was announced Government would scrap both the Northern Powerhouse Rail Line and the Leeds leg of HS2.

But local politicians say there has been little information from the Department for Transport on how the scheme will work, or when the huge project might begin.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin referred to the delay in any new information on the electrification while responding to news that the long planned Transpennine Route Upgrade would finally be moving ahead.

On Tuesday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will announce an investment worth up to £11.5 billion for the Transpennine Route Upgrades, which had previously been a £2.9 billion project That upgrade will improve the line between Manchester Victoria and York – although the improvements will not directly extend to Bradford.

Ms Brabin said the funding announcement was welcome, and would benefit many West Yorkshire areas. But she maintained that she was still pushing for Northern Powerhouse Rail – a high speed line that would link Leeds and Manchester with a stop in Bradford city centre.

In November the Government announced it was scrapping much of this scheme, but will invest in electrification of the line between Bradford and Leeds, which would reduce journey times between the cities to as low as 12 minutes.

Responding to news that the Transpennine funding, Ms Brabin said: “The Trans Pennine Route Upgrade is an important rail investment programme for West Yorkshire, providing better and faster rail connections between York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester. Rail services using the route serve all five West Yorkshire districts so getting it right is vital.

“I and other West Yorkshire leaders have been pushing for full electrification of lines and for improvements to help rail freight for some time, so it’s good to see these included in government’s updated plans.

“And I will continue to push government to deliver on the commitments made in the Integrated Rail Plan that are vital to our region.

“We’re still waiting to see the terms of reference for the study on how HS2 services can reach Leeds from Sheffield and await details on plans to electrify the route between Leeds and Bradford.

“The upgrade will bring great benefits, but our ambition for a new high-speed line between Leeds and Manchester, with that crucial stop in Bradford, remains. I will continue to progress the case for this with Ministers.”