New platform at Bradford Forster Square on track for completion next May
Network Rail says its making good progress on the £24m project
WORK to create a new platform at a Bradford rail station is well underway, and is on track to be completed by May.
Earlier this year the then Rail Minister Huw Merriman visited Bradford to announced that Forster Square Rail Station would be getting a new platform thanks to a £24m Government investment.
He said the platform would “improve rail journeys, increase rail services and better connect passengers.”
It would also “reduce delays and futureproof the station for generations to come.”
The work was due to be completed at some point during Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations in 2025.
Network Rail has now revealed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the work is progressing well, and the platform is expected to be completed by May 2025.
May 2025 coincides with the biannual changes to rail timetables that could see new services to and from Bradford added to the regular services.
At the time of the announcement, it was claimed the platform could see around five new Bradford to London services at the station each day.
The new platform is being built between the existing platforms and the rear of Forster Square Retail Park. Heavy equipment is currently at the site, and a stretch of rail track has already been laid.
Joe Noake, senior sponsor for Network Rail’s North and East route said: “Work is progressing well on the new platform at Bradford Forster Square station.
“Our teams have successfully fitted a brand-new track and are currently working on installing the vital platform structure.
“We are looking at a completion date of May 2025 with the project designed to ease platform congestion and increase reliability, meaning passengers can expect more efficient journeys to and from the city.”
A long planned wider regeneration of Forster Square Station has been delayed until after the platform work is completed.