EXTENDING a Bradford rail platform and bringing forward road improvement plans will be deemed “priorities” in the region’s economic recovery from lockdown.

Increasing capacity at Forster Square station, expanding park and ride facilities at rail stations and extending platforms on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines are among the measures the Government will be asked to urgently look at as part of an economic recovery plan.

And major road projects for Tong Street and Dawson’s Corner will also be deemed priorities.

Fixing infrastructure issues like 'too short' platforms key to improving rail services

Transport for the North - a body set up to boost transport, is seeking to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to make the case for “accelerated transport investment” in the North as a central part of the post Covid Economic Recovery Plan.

Transport for the North is expected to sign off on its plan in late July, and at a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority next Thursday, members will be asked what the West Yorkshire priorities should be.

Many of the schemes that will be proposed have already been suggested - but the Authority will be asked to include them as “priorities” for West Yorkshire.

They include “network capacity projects” designed to increase the number of passengers who can use Leeds rail station. This project would include an extension of Platform 3 at Bradford Forster Square and the reinstatement of Platform 2 at Castleford.

Other rail projects include

- New rail stations at Leeds Bradford Airport, White Rose Shopping Centre and Thorpe Park

- Improvements to passenger facilities and accessibility at stations that will be affected by the TransPennine Route Upgrade project, such as Marsden and Mirfield

- Support for further platform extensions being proposed by Northern around West Yorkshire, including at stations on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines to support the operation of longer trains

- A Rail Park and Ride programme of extensions at station car parks. Schemes to boost parking at Shipley and Apperley Bridge Stations have previously been suggested.

The Combined Authority, responsible for transport and infrastructure projects across the region, has previously raised concerns about platform local stations.

Earlier this year the Authority’s Transport Committee heard that a number of proposed new services, including several in Bradford, could not be brought forward until there was an increase in capacity at Leeds station.

And expanded platforms, allowing longer trains, would also be needed in Forster Square, Keighley and Shipley stations for the local network to meet it’s potential.

Highways projects that will be suggested as top priorities include

- Work to improve capacity on Tong Street, which will also include enhancements to walking and cycling facilities

- Improvements to Dawsons Corner Junction and a Stanningley Bypass repairs and safety scheme

- Landslip repairs to A6025 Elland – Brighouse

Other works include the wider rollout of 5G and the rollout of more electric vehicle charging points.

The Authority meets online next Thursday.