LNER explains why it cancelled Bradford to London services

Last night, with snow expected, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) said it would not be operating any trains to or from Harrogate, Bradford Forster Square or Skipton from the start of service until 1.45pm today.

It left many Bradfordians frustrated when they arrived on the platform this morning.

Northern services managed to run swiftly at Bradford Forster Square this morning (Image: Newsquest)

'If it was another big city, there would be outcry'

One rail passenger, who did not wish to be named, said: “Forster Square station looked completely clear on Tuesday morning, with the snow hardly having any impact on the tracks or platforms. 

“It makes you wonder why LNER had to cancel all its Bradford services throughout the morning.

Bradford had a covering of snow on Tuesday morning, but the weather wasn't as disruptive as expected (Image: T&A)

"If it was another big city like Leeds or York losing its direct London services for half the day based on a forecast, there’d be an outcry.

"Bradford is a city of half a million people and the business community relies on those services to London.”

In response, LNER said they agreed a ticket acceptance with Northern yesterday evening to ensure Bradford passengers going to London could connect at Leeds. 

Northern services were running fine from Bradford Forster Square this morning (Image: Newsquest)

Full LNER statement

An LNER spokesperson said: "Following severe weather forecasts for heavy snow and low temperatures for the area, a decision was taken that our Bradford Forster Square services planned for this morning would begin and end at Leeds. 

"Arrangements were made to connect customers with Leeds via another operator as we work to keep as many people safely on the move as possible. 

A passenger waiting at Forster Square on Tuesday morning (Image: T&A)

"We appreciate the frustration this may cause for customers and want to thank them for their understanding."

Elsewhere, there was disruption on the Bradford Interchange-London Kings Cross with Grand Central Rail's 6.59am, 7.57am, 10.23am, and 10.57am services not calling at Low Moor, Halifax, Brighouse and Mirfield.

Northern services between Bradford Interchange and Huddersfield also felt the brunt of the snowy weather as road transport was put on.

A total of 18 schools across the Bradford district were partially closed. Many of those, including Feversham Primary, Wilsden Primary and Denholme Primary, decided to open slightly later than normal to allow pupils and staff extra time to arrive safely.

The Council’s website listed just one full closure – Stanbury Primary School near Keighley – with the reason simply given as ‘snow’.

A walker braving the wintry weather on Baildon Moor on Tuesday (Image: T&A) On Tuesday afternoon, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Our gritting teams were out again this morning from 5am treating all Priority One routes (including cycleways) covering over 700 miles.

“So far today we have also had our crews out on Priority Two routes across higher ground including in Queensbury, Denholme, Thornton, Clayton, Heaton, Wibsey, Allerton and Buttershaw.

“We have also had two hand gritting teams out covering the footways in Queensbury and Wibsey.

“With temperatures set to plummet as we head into the evening and overnight our crews will be out again from 3pm to treat the Priority One routes, with two night patrols out monitoring the network between 8pm and 7am and gritting any hazards.”