Leaders stress rail plans for Bradford should not be scaled back

A number of leaders, politicians and Northern Powerhouse Rail representatives met up at St James' Wholesale Market, on Essex Street, Bradford, to discuss the way forward after Rishi Sunak's government indicated original plans for NPR could be scaled back. A new station would be built at the market site if the full plans did go ahead.

Shadow Secretary of State Louise Haigh, left, and Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council (Image: Newsquest)

Louise Haigh, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, said: "A lot of this was promised over a decade ago. We don't want the government to cut funding.

"Let's give our future leaders a chance. They need to come back to the table. There's no fiscal reason why this couldn't go ahead.

"It makes economic sense and it makes sense for rail passengers. This can be delivered."

Shadow Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, speaks with a market trader (Image: Newsquest)

Bradford Council leader, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, also remained bullish saying: "I won't take no for an answer on Northern Powerhouse Rail.

"We have a huge amount to prepare for 2025 and the City of Culture and this would be a big investment for Bradford.

"As our lives change, cities like ours need to change. We have to get around the table to discuss this. There should be no knee-jerk reactions."

Henri Murison, chief executive of Northern Powerhouse Rail, said: "In the short term, if the government want to explore their options I welcome that, but I think it would be a big mistake if NPR were not to happen."

"We hope that both major political parties can come together on this. This market should be at the heart of a connectivity revolution.

"NPR would be a real benefit to Bradford because at the moment it's not properly connected to the rail network. Bradford is missing out."

Mr Murison said "the state will bear the burden of the cost" but added that "private contributions from the business community" would be beneficial.

"Businesses would have an interest in the financial uplift this would bring.

"A new site would also be better for the market traders here, as regardless we're still hopeful that a new station can be built here. Bradford needs a through station."

A tour of the inside of St James Wholesale Market was also given by Colin Wolstenholme, manager of the St James' Wholesale Market.

"It's one of the biggest wholesale markets in the north of England with a turnover of £50 million," he said. "It's been here since the 1970s and was a rail stop before it became a market.

"The market traders are supportive of the Northern Powerhouse Rail. They need to change to expand. Every unit is occupied here. This is a six-acre site and if we would be move, we would have an option on a 21-acre site at Staithgate Lane near the M606.

"We serve 500 retailers a year, and Bradford is in unique central location in terms of distribution. NPR would open up opportunities to a wider customer base."

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