A raft of proposals to im-prove rail connections bet-ween Bradford and the mainline network were submitted to rail regulators today.

The "wish list" of Grand Central Railway includes 140mph services between Lon-don and Bradford and an hourly stopper' service bet-ween Bradford and Doncaster.

The proposals were unveiled after the Office of Rail Regulation asked train operating companies for a list of new services they want to introduce in the coming years.

By encouraging rail companies to be more transparent about their aspirations, railway chiefs aim to draw up a long-term vision for the network in full knowledge of possible developments.

Grand Central, supported by 20 MPs, has continued its fight to introduce more trains between Bradford and London despite having plans knocked back by the ORR in January.

The York-based company has now told the regulator it would like to provide a four-trains-a-day service between Bradford and London King's Cross.

The service would run independently of the London to Sunderland trains instead of splitting at Doncaster, as originally proposed.

Grand Central also wants to bring in an hourly service between Bradford and Doncaster calling at Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield Kirkgate and Pontefract. This service would provide a vital connection with trains running up and down the flagship East Coast Main Line.

In the longer term, the company aims to introduce a service from London Euston to Huddersfield and Bradford with operations beginning around 2009/10. The introduction of this new route would coincide with a new fleet of trains to operate the services.

Grand Central operations director Sean English said "joined-up" planning from rail bosses could prevent a repeat of the 16-month dispute which saw train operator GNER unsuccessfully challenge Grand Central's plan to use part of the East Coast Main Line between London and Sunderland.

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said it would be "fantastic" if the plans came off.

But he said he would like to see more substance from Grand Central, including evidence the company had the financial wherewithal to run such a service.

Mr Rooney said: "If they are seeking support from the Bradford people, they should give the people something to believe in. When they came to meet the Yorkshire Labour MPs, they didn't seem able to provide details of where the money was coming from."

Chris Glen, policy chief for the Federation of Small Busin-esses in Yorkshire, said: "More services from Bradford to London would be good for Bradford and the whole region.

"Fewer people would have to go to Leeds from Bradford to get trains to London."

Mike Cartwright, of Brad-ford Chamber, welcomed the extension of rail services. He said: "While we applaud what GNER have done over the last few years with their franchise, we also think there should be more competition introduced and Grand Central are willing to step up to the mark."

e-mail: will.kilner @bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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