New platform's opening gives Bradford more trains

A new £35m platform at Bradford's Forster Square Station has opened - boosting rail services in the city.

The investment means operator LNER will run seven services each way between Bradford and London King's Cross on weekdays and six on Sundays, an increase from the current two services.

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said it would provide much-needed extra capacity during the City of Culture year.

The milestone is being marked with an event which will include performances from the Bantam of the Opera choir, which is made up of Bradford City fans.

A specially-liveried LNER Azuma train, one of the new Bradford services, was also unveiled ahead of it leaving the platform at 11.17 BST.

Bradford's poor rail links have long been seen as a factor holding the city back from reaching its full potential.

When rail minister Huw Merriman announced the government-funded scheme earlier this year, he said it would futureproof the station for generations to come while reducing delays and improving access into the city for passengers, commuters and tourists.

The scheme was originally projected to cost £24m.

Ahead of the opening, volunteers and railway staff spent time last week cleaning and picking up litter from the station, car park and surrounding area.

Parts of the station, which is operated by Northern, have also been repainted and upgraded.

In the 1890s, the station had six platforms and a large canopy roof. There was a major rebuild in 1993 when the Victorian station was demolished and a new terminus was built with three platforms.

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