Proposed Rail Improvements

News that Calderdale is another step closer to improved rail services has been welcomed by Calderdale Council's Cabinet Member, Economy and Environment.

Network Rail's Initial Industry Plan (IIP) has outlined proposals to invest in £5.6 billion of improvements between 2014 and 2019, on top of £4.9 billion of civil engineering jobs already underway.

Among the planned schemes, Halifax railway station would reopen the third platform, at a cost of £10m, enabling more services and better reliability.

Other schemes would include: the electrification of the Midland main line, North Trans-Pennine, Cardiff Valleys and several lines in Scotland and the £560 million Northern Hub scheme to provide more trains between major cities like Manchester and Liverpool.

Other proposed improvements include:

Northern Hub-? about 700 extra services every weekday across the North enabling direct access to Manchester Airport from the Calder Valley line, and major restoration of Manchester Victoria station
West Yorkshire train lengthening Halifax to Leeds to accommodate more seating.
Journey time and connectivity improvements between Bradford and Manchester
Proposed new Burnley to Manchester via Todmorden direct service in each direction
An extra train each hour in each direction between Leeds and Manchester via Bradford and Rochdale from December 2019

Cllr Barry Collins says the news brings improved rail services in Calderdale a step nearer.

"While it's by no means guaranteed that the funding will be there for all of these projects, it's good to see that the proposals are in Network Rail's plans.

"More than a million people live close to the Calder Valley line, so it's important that the best possible use is made of the line.

"Calderdale Council has worked hard with partner organisations and authorities to ensure that improvements to the region's rail network and the Calder Valley line in particular are a priority."

Hebden Bridge Web

Proposed Rail Improvements