New rail platform at Bradford Forster Square to be completed by May

Earlier this year, the then Rail Minister Huw Merriman visited Bradford to announced that Forster Square Rail Station would be getting a new platform thanks to a £24m Government investment.

He said the platform would “improve rail journeys, increase rail services and better connect passengers.”

The new section of track and the first sections of platform can be seen in this image (Image: T&A)

It would also “reduce delays and futureproof the station for generations to come.”

The work was due to be completed at some point during Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations in 2025.

Network Rail has now revealed to the Telegraph & Argus that the work is progressing well, and the platform is expected to be completed by May 2025.

The new platform being built at Bradford Forster Square Station (Image: T&A)

May 2025 coincides with the biannual changes to rail timetables that could see new services to and from Bradford added to the regular services.

At the time of the announcement, it was claimed the platform could see around five new Bradford to London services at the station each day.

The new platform is being built between the existing platforms and the rear of Forster Square Retail Park. Heavy equipment is currently at the site, and a stretch of rail track has already been laid.

The new platform being built at Bradford Forster Square Station (Image: T&A)

When the T&A visited the station on Wednesday afternoon, a number of workmen in orange overalls were operating heavy plant equipment to put in place large concrete blocks that will form the edge of the new platform.

A section of fresh track, including new sleepers and rails, has now been laid along the side of the station closest to the retail park, creating a fourth track at the station.

Work taking place on Wednesday, October 9, to create a new platform at Bradford Firster Square Station (Image: T&A) A new set of points has been put in place just to the north of the Hamm Strasse road bridge, allowing trains to access the new track from a point parallel with the TK Maxx store.

Joe Noake, senior sponsor for Network Rail’s North and East route said: “Work is progressing well on the new platform at Bradford Forster Square station.

“Our teams have successfully fitted a brand-new track and are currently working on installing the vital platform structure.

The new set of points can be seen in this image taken from the Hamm Strasse road bridge looking towards Valley Parade stadium, with the newly-laid track to the right of the picture (Image: T&A) “We are looking at a completion date of May 2025 with the project designed to ease platform congestion and increase reliability, meaning passengers can expect more efficient journeys to and from the city.”

A long planned wider regeneration of Forster Square Station has been delayed until after the platform work is completed.