The HS3 rail link must reach Bradford
The Bradford West MP, welcoming the prime minister’s green light for the plan, commented: “There cannot be a red stop signal at Leeds, as the present plan envisages. Any high-speed link from Manchester must include Bradford. I will be demanding from David Cameron his commitment to ensuring that the people of Bradford don’t, once more, lose out. There are compelling reasons, in jobs and prosperity, for extending the new line the few extra miles. And I am sure all the local MPs and councils will support me on this.”
Cameron has responded favourably to a report by HS2 boss Sir David Higgins that better rail links in northern England were both desirable and possible. The government is to look at options, cost and delivery times for HS3, with a report to be produced in March.
“Bradford has suffered from neglect and lack of investment for decades,” Galloway continued. “In my constituency unemployment is almost double the national average and poverty and lack of attainment are a national disgrace. We are top of the league of everything you’d want to be bottom of and bottom of every league you’d want to be top of. HS3 will be no panacea but it will provide jobs and opportunities and the ability to commute to more jobs and other opportunities further afield, in a way which is impracticable today.”
Galloway added that he would be writing to the prime minister to push Bradford’s case, as well as lobbying ministers and putting down questions and motions. “We cannot allow this opportunity to hit the buffers at Leeds,” he said.
