Welcome to the Bradford Rail Users Group Website Latest update June 6th We apologise for the infrequent updating of this site at present. See Meetings section for dates of all BRUG meetings in 2009. (Meeting days have changed to first Monday).
2012 opening for Low Moor? ------------------ Halifax Station closure affects weekend services See News / Comment
Bradford Rail Users Group is campaigning for improvements to Bradford's rail services and infrastructure, including better information about services, new stations, and a cross - city link to open up new travel opportunities within Bradford and across the local rail system
Dead end... Forster Square Station Dead end... Interchange Station
We also support the re-opening of some closed lines such as the Spen Valley and Otley lines, And the Skipton - Colne line to open up new rail routes to and from the city, and to improve access to Bradford from more towns in the area. CONTACT DETAILS Note changes to contact details until further notice By post: The Secretary (BRUG) c/o Lloyd and Robinson Opticians 64 Westgate, Bradford BD1 2QR email Telephone: Bradford (01274) 873026 Visit Brug's message board and have your say on line!
Are you are in favour of joining the the rail systems North and South of Bradford via a cross-city link? Do you feel that such a link, enabling through journeys between say Shipley and Halifax would be of benefit in easing present journeys, or opening up new opportunities for employment etc? If so, email us at the address above and additionally, if possible, write expressing your views on the subject to Mr CR Hughes, Head of Service, Dept. of Transport, Design and Planning, 8th Floor, Jacob's Well, Manchester Road, Bradford BD1 5RW.
Low moor update - 2012 opening?
BRUG has been informed that following approval by the Association of West Yorkshire Authorities Leaders at their meeting on Friday May 22, the Low Moor Station proposal is now included in within the West Yorkshire Strategic Programme of Schemes (SPS) for 2009/10 - 2011/12. The additional funds transferred to the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan Partnership from the Regional Funding Allocation will be used for the revised SPS. However, delivery of the scheme is now subject to 'design review, confirmation of timetable options and obtaining the necessary business case approvals' (all over again?!! - ed).
Metro are liasing with Network Rail on the programme of work to take the project forward. The additional land required for the car park and for part of the foundations for the footbridge ramp, where they fall outside the Network Rail boundary, has been the subject of earlier negotiation with Bradford Council and third parties. This process is now being resurrected so that the land acquisition process can be completed.
Network Rail will be carrying out the delivery process in line with the work they are undertaking for proposed stations at Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge. While still awaiting a full, detailed, project programme from Network Rail, it is anticipated that, subject to all the necessary approvals being obtained, Low Moor station could be delivered within similar timescales and be open during 2012.
The above report uses extracts and adaptations from a recent letter to BRUG from David Hoggarth (Director, Development) of Metro.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halifax station will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays from May 16 to July 12 inclusive, Saturday July 25 and Sunday July 26 and on Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9. This is to allow refurbishment of the footbridge and canopy and installation of new glazing and lighting. Trains will be diverted away from Halifax on the above dates with connecting rail replacement buses operating. For further details visit www.wymetro.com/halifax or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.
A £20m plan to regenerate the Bradford to Leeds corridor has been agreed between the two cities. In addition to housing developments and road improvements, the possibility of reopening Laisterdyke station to help relieve congestion on the busy Bradford to Leeds road is to be considered. However, Cllr Chris Greaves, chair of West Yorkshire Transport Authority, quoted in the 'Telegraph and Argus' newspaper, says that Laisterdyke is a long term aspiration and that stations at Low Moor and Apperley Bridge were higher on the list of priorities.
Train company Grand Union has been given the go ahead by the Office of Rail Regulation for its proposed Bradford Interchange to London Kings Cross service. The service, which is planned to start on December 13, will also call at Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield Kirkgate and Pontefract Monkhill, before joining the East Coast Main Line at Doncaster. Three return services per day will operate using 125mph diesel trains (the company hopes eventually to up this to four trains). The news has been welcomed by politicians and business leaders in the city.
The gradient - is it a problem? Lines diagram For news and information on public transport in West Yorkshire visit Metro's website at www.wymetro.com and the Northern Rail website (from December 12) at www.northernrail.org For national rail information visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
Cross Bradford Road Link - fills up at rush hour but at other times occupies a huge amount of dead space and creates a barrier between the city centre and communities on the east side. A cross - city rail link would occupy less than half this width, despite claims by opponents that it would devastate the city centre. A number of commentator's have suggested that a cross city rail link would encourage people to pass straight through the city when what is wanted is for people to stop and spend their money. At the same time it is claimed that there is no demand or need for cross city travel. On both these counts the question must be asked: Why provide the facility pictured above to provide for through journeys which allow motorists to pass by the city without stopping to spend their money, on journeys they neither want or need to make?
