IF BRADFORD is missed off the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail it would be “a slap in the face of the city” as rumours surround the future of the station.

Doubts have been raised over whether the city will be included in the proposals with reports at the weekend suggesting that the inclusion of Bradford on the Leeds to Liverpool high-speed line could be one option that is cut from the scheme.

An announcement on the route and further details of the timetable are due to be revealed shortly but local leaders have expressed their anger at the suggestion that Bradford could miss out.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “We continue to make a strong and compelling case for a city centre Northern Powerhouse Rail station and the transformational economic and social impacts it would bring to the district and wider region.

“The station on a new through line between Leeds and Manchester would unlock £15bn of additional growth and connect Bradford’s young population to future job opportunities across the north and the UK.

“A Bradford city centre station on a new line is supported by business and partners including the Transport for the North (TfN) partnership board and leaders from across the north.

“We are currently working with Leeds City Region, TfN and the government on master planning for the future growth and regeneration around the city centre station to maximise its potential and positively assist the business case for Northern Powerhouse Rail.”

Si Cunningham, of Bradford Civic Society, said: “To leave Bradford off the Northern Powerhouse Rail route would be a slap around the face for a city that’s only just getting back on its knees after years of neglect.

“Bradford Civic Society has always said that only a new central railway station for Bradford will be of any real benefit to Bradfordians.

“We desperately need more jobs in this city, but for decades we’ve been held back by our atrocious public transport infrastructure and lack of connectivity to other big cities.

“I’m tired of Bradford getting nothing but scraps from the table, especially when you consider the size of the place and the potential of our young population. We need this investment, and we need it right now.”

A spokesperson for Transport for the North said: “We’ve embraced the Government’s support for Northern Powerhouse Rail, and we will continue to press hard for best options that deliver the most benefits for our communities. Our leaders want new lines between Liverpool and Manchester, and a new line from Manchester to Leeds via central Bradford.

“But we’ve made no secret of our priorities. The North wants the full Northern Powerhouse Rail network to be delivered, integrated with HS2, to transform rail travel and unleash our pent-up economic potential.

“Rigid rules over infrastructure investment need to be revisited if the national economy is to be fairly rebalanced. Investment has been too long been tilted towards the south, whilst the north has lost out because of the Treasury appraisal process.

“We also want Northern Powerhouse Rail to significantly overhaul the rail links between other major economic centres including Sheffield, Hull and the North East. By modernising the rail legacy left by the Victorians, we’d slash journey times, release more capacity for more trips by train, spark economic growth and help reduce the North’s carbon footprint.

“More than anything else we want to push ahead at speed."

The Department for Transport said: “We do not comment on leaks or speculation.”