The Government’s decision not to support plans to build a new Northern Powerhouse Rail link between Leeds and Manchester including a through the station in Bradford city centre has been strongly criticised by the chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association.
In a statement, Lee Bloomfield said:
“This is a major blow for Bradford district.
“The city centre masterplan is partly predicated on the high-speed link with plans to build apartment blocks around the new station for commuters working outside the area.
“These would have been much more affordable than in Manchester and Leeds and been in high demand.
“Being included on the promised high-speed route, slashing journey times to 10 minutes to Leeds and 22 minutes to Manchester, would also have provided a major boost to Bradford’s nighttime economy and created many new jobs.
“As the youngest city in the UK, Bradford deserved this chance which it has waited far too long to be given.
“The city and its people have been let down and left disappointed yet again.”