THE re-opening of Low Moor railway station has boosted local businesses, it has been claimed.

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins welcomed reports that football fans visiting the area to go to Bradford Park Avenue’s ground had been spending money in local pubs and shops.

The recent fixture against Stockport County saw up to 1,000 County supporters come to Horsfall Stadium, with hundreds arriving by train and using Low Moor station.

Locals reported the George pub was “rammed” with hundreds of away fans, with the Black Horse and some of the Halifax Road pubs enjoying a similar boost.

Mrs Cummins added: “The new station at Low Moor connects Bradford South with rest of the country. Trains to Leeds, Halifax and Huddersfield, and soon London, means local people can travel to and from anywhere in the country far more easily. It also means we can welcome visitors from elsewhere, as we saw this weekend.

“The station is an incredible facility for our area and almost £11million of new investment is very welcome.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby (Lab, Wyke) said: “I think it is giving businesses a boost.

“I have been going round that way and the usage of the car park is building up. I know from local businesses that people were starting to use the station as soon as it opened.

“It is really starting to pick up. The sandwich shop and the deli, and stuff like that, have had a lot of people buzzing around.

“It is a real hub and it is lovely to see. The station was certainly a good investment.”

Cllr Rosie Watson (Lab, Wyke) said: “It is going really well. For the football and the Bulls it is brilliant.

“From what I know, businesses are picking up a lot of trade from it as well, and we hope that will get even better.”

Cllr Watson said there was a cafe, deli, newsagents, general store, a butcher, and a number of pubs in line to benefit from the increased footfall created by the new station.

“Hopefully they are picking up,” she said. “We are getting some really good feedback from people about how convenient it is to have the station.

“It is still a novelty for people to see Low Moor on the screen when they get on the train in Leeds. And from what I have heard, the shops have been busy. It will revive down there a bit. It will be brilliant.”

The long-awaited £10 million station opened earlier this month, with more than 100 people climbing aboard the first two trains.

Andrea Howard, 64, of Low Moor, said at the time: “We have been waiting for this for yonks. It will make such a difference. I will use it to go into Halifax and Bradford, and hopefully Manchester as well. I have a friend in Cheshire, so I could meet in Manchester and not worry about parking.”