Ambitious proposals to link Bradford's two rail stations could be the key to the city's economic regeneration, a rail group claims.

National campaign group Transport 2000 claims the city is currently getting a "very poor deal" from its rail transport compared with other cities its size.

Spokesman Philip Ralph said: "A lot of Bradford's problems are due to the fact that the link between the two stations is missing."

He said that if the stations were linked, Bradford could become a key hub in the rail network and passengers would be less likely to have to travel to Leeds to reach other cities.

"The potential for a cross-Bradford rail link is colossal because Bradford is currently served so badly," he said. "At the moment, passengers seem to have to go into Leeds for any journey they want to make."

A link would also dramatically improve services for other towns in the district - for example, by allowing a fast and direct connection between Ilkley and Halifax, he claimed.

Mr Ralph said that in the short term the city should campaign for better and faster links to cities such as Manchester, like those enjoyed by people in Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

Ernie Preston, chairman of the Rail Passenger Committee, said proposed redevelopment schemes in Forster Square could be an opportunity to look at a possible link.

Buildings around Petergate are set to be demolished to make way for a new shopping complex - opening the way for a new rail link to be included, he said.

"Bradford is crying out for that link," he said. "The building work in the 1960s ruled it out for 30 or 40 years, so it would be tragic if the opportunity was missed again."

But Mr Ralph admitted: "It really does depend on what Bradford people want and whether they would use improved services."

And he called for people in the city to form a campaign group to push for a better deal for Bradford.

Today councillors and business leaders said they would support such an initiative.

Councillor Anne Hawksworth (Cons, Ilkley) admitted Bradford suffered from a poor rail service.

"Better communications are always a major advantage and this is one of the things that has always let Bradford down over the years," she said. "I would obviously give my backing to anything that can possibly be done to improve the situation and I believe that rail is the most acceptable form of public transport."

And John Pennington, president-elect of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said he thought business in the city would welcome an improved rail service. "It is important because Bradford suffers from having two dead-end stations," he said. "We would give our support to a group campaigning in this area."

Anyone interested in joining a campaign group for rail in the city can contact Philip Ralph on 0113 2622441.