Shipley rail depot will be 'fantastic for local area'

The application to construct a new electric train care depot near Shipley station was approved by Bradford Council earlier this week.

The development was one of the final big announcements made by the Conservative government before it lost power in the General Election, with the then Rail Minister Huw Merriman travelling to Shipley in March to announce the work.

Former Rail Minister Huw Merriman with Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe (Image: T&A)

Now Shipley’s new MP has said it will be “fantastic for the local area” while a Bradford councillor has pointed out that it will return train maintenance to the area, six decades after the closure of Manningham Depot.

The former Crossley Evans site (Image: T&A)

Built on the former Crossley Evans scrap site, the depot is expected to be completed by 2027 and will bring more than 90 jobs to the town.

Once up and running it will be known as the Shipley TrainCare Centre and see electric trains repaired, maintained, and stored at the site instead of the Neville Hill depot in East Leeds.

After the plans were approved, Anna Dixon, newly elected Labour MP for the constituency, said: “I strongly welcome this week's decision to give planning permission to the new Shipley rail depot.

"The town of Shipley has a long history with the rail industry and the jobs and investment this development will bring will be fantastic for the local area.

Anna Dixon MP (Image: Anna Dixon)

“The new depot will provide improved support to local rail infrastructure and give Shipley a substantial economic boost.

“Areas like Shipley have been overlooked in terms of investment for far too long. This Labour government will support projects like this to create good jobs for local people and revitalise our high streets."

An artist's impression of how the depot will look (Image: Network Rail)

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “It’s good to see this exciting project for Shipley progressing.

The former Crossley Evans site (Image: T&A)

“It is another multi-million-pound regeneration project being delivered in the district, bringing local job opportunities as part of its construction, as well as over 90 permanent skilled posts being created in the longer term.

“The new depot will be more centrally located for operations on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines and returns train maintenance activity to the area, nearly 60 years after the closure of Manningham Depot in 1967.

“As well as increasing service reliability for rail service users, it will be a boost for the regeneration of Shipley.”