Welcome to the Bradford Rail Users Group Website Latest update June 13 We apologise for the infrequent updating of this site at present. See Meetings section for dates of all BRUG meetings in 2008. See changes to July, October and December meeting dates!
Train hits concrete slab - Police appeal for information Tram - Trains to link city with airport? Low Moor - more delay but things are moving slowly 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.
A train travelling through the Laisterdyke area struck a concrete slab and other debris at around 10.30 pm on Thursday July 3rd. The train was damaged in the incident but was able to continue to New Pudsey where passengers were transferred to another train. Inspector Glen Alderson of British Transport Police is appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 0800 405040 quoting incident number 746.A recent report by consultants Arup suggests that a rail link to Leeds Bradord Airport from the Harrogate Line, using modern Tram-Train technology, would be feasible and cost between £15m and £25m. This would provide a link direct to Leeds city centre. A link to Bradford Forster Square, also considered in the report, is likely to require re-doubling of the section of line through Baildon.The report, which has gone before Metro, looks at the introduction of Tram-Trains on a number of routes in the area, and the technology is to be trialled on the Huddersfield -Penistone - Sheffield route following studies of successful systems on the continent.
An updated business case for Low Moor station has been completed and remains positive. Work at Mill Lane Junction outside Bradford Interchange has however been put back to October. This work, to remodel the junction and improve journey times, is key to creating space in the timetable which will allow Low Moor station to be included. Changes to the timetable from December, together with the Mill Lane junction remodelling, will enable the stop at Low Moor to be included but there are still some issues to be resolved concerning land at Low Moor. Some further detailed design work is required also, and a start on construction remains some way off.
British Transport Police are appealing for anyone who might have information or may have seen anything suspicious near the railway in the vicinity of Hammerton Street, Bradford on the morning of Tuesday April 15, to call 0800 405040 quoting incident number 158 of April 16 2008, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. This follows the attack by vandals who jammed a piece of concrete and some scrap metal in a set of points near Hammerton Street. This was struck by the 09.06 train from Bradford to Leeds and though the train was able to continue its journey, services suffered disruption throughout the day with eleven trains being diverted. It goes without saying that this mindless act could have resulted in serious injury to passengers or crew.
A labour supporting think tank has said that substantial investment is needed in Yorkshire's rail links and that the way transport funding is allocated should be reviewed. The Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR), in a new policy document, says that rail links within the North are 'not fit for purpose' and failure to invest in them will lead to increased road and rail congestion and to more domestic air travel as a result. It argues that the passenger transport authorities should have more control over urban rail services, highways and bus companies. It says that the Local Transport Bill, currently going through Parliament does not go far enough and that Government plans to boost bus and rail in the north are 'weak'. The legislation would not give regional transport authorities the degree of control enjoyed in London. Treasury figures show that northern regions receive less public funding per head than other regions, particularly London. Yorkshire received £90 per person less than the English average and the IPPR says that the allocation of funding should be reviewd. The IPPR report also says that the Department For Transport fails to take into account the impact of social exclusion when deciding what schemes to fund and this can affect economic revival in parts of Yorkshire.
The public meeting held at Low Moor on September 13 was a success with approaching seventy people in attendance.
Members of the public left representatives from Metro and the Passenger Transport Authority in no doubt about their wish to see a new station at Low Moor, and their frustration at the apparent lack of progress.
Metro's director of development David Hogarth said that he shared the meeting's frustration over the delays and outlined the complex reasons for them.
He assured the meeting that Low Moor would get its new station when all the problems had been resolved.
Also in attendance was Passenger Transport Authority chair Ryk Downes who outlined his own desire to see the £3m project come to fruition.
Bradford Council declined to attend the meeting and questioned its usefulmess, but Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, who was unable to attend, sent a message of support and wished BRUG well with the meeting.
After the meeting, David Hogarth said it had been useful in that he could report back about the good attendance at the meeting and the strength of feeling in favour of the station. This would be helpful in his meetings with partner organisations such as Network Rail and Northern Rail.
It is hoped that another meeting will be arranged in 2008. Watch for further details.
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?
