Reform UK has insisted it supports plans for a new railway station in Bradford as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), despite its opposition to parts of the broader project.
The party’s deputy leader nationally, Richard Tice, said it had “never opposed” Phase 1 of NPR, which includes proposals for the city’s new station, but remained against spending money on a high-speed line between Liverpool and Manchester.
However, questions remain over which parts of NPR Reform UK would support if it got into government, including a proposed new line connecting Bradford with Huddersfield and Manchester.
The city’s Reform group say they do not believe the national stance poses a risk locally.
Bradford’s political parties have all agreed on the importance of securing a new station as part of NPR, and specifically a through line, but opposition councillors have questioned whether the local Reform administration’s commitment is shared by the party nationally.
At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Reform-led executive earlier this week, Conservative group leader Rebecca Poulsen welcomed the proposed new station’s city-centre location but said Bradford needed more than a replacement terminus.
“We still need this through line, and I think that’s the next bit we really need to all push on,” she said.
She questioned whether any Reform UK national opposition to high-speed rail investment could affect the Bradford scheme and sought assurances from council leader Stephen Place.
Place said he had spoken to senior figures in his national party about infrastructure projects.
“I’ve obviously spoken to leaders of the national party, and they will revisit any infrastructure projects … depending where they are along the line, as and when and if they are returned to power,” he said.
But he insisted his administration remained committed to a through line rather than simply rebuilding the existing station.
“We are absolutely 1,000% invested in a through line and not the terminus,” he said.
“I just don’t see the point particularly investing all this money … for what? For a status quo.”
Green group leader Matt Edwards also raised concerns about whether Tice’s earlier comments could undermine investor confidence in the project.
Place said he had sought clarification and insisted there was “no risk”.
