THE introduction of a high speed rail station to Bradford was among projects discussed when a top infrastructure boss visited the city.

Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, recently visited West Yorkshire to hear about some of the major projects planned for the area, from Northern Powerhouse Rail to flood alleviation schemes in Leeds.

It followed the publication of the NIC’s first National Infrastructure Assessment, which recognised that investment in the proposed National Powerhouse Rail route is a vital strategic investment in order to deliver “long overdue” improvements between major cities in the North.

Bradford City Council leader and West Yorkshire Combined Authority chair Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe welcomed Sir John and his colleagues at Bradford Interchange, the planned site of a future Northern Powerhouse Rail station, during his visit.

Cllr Hinchcliffe walked the party through plans to develop the improve integration between bus and trains services and house a city centre Northern Powerhouse Rail station as part of the complex.

She then chaired a round-table meeting at Bradford City Hall, to discuss the NIC’s recent recommendations on building a digital society, transport, housing, drought and flooding risks and carbon.

The meeting also included city region politicians, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Chair Roger Marsh OBE and private sector business representatives.

Cllr Hinchcliffe, who had invited Sir John and his colleagues to West Yorkshire said: “This visit has provided the opportunity for us to have a meaningful discussion with the National Infrastructure Commission about our requirements and plans for infrastructure across Leeds City Region.

“We were able to show Sir John and his colleagues how we intend to develop Bradford Interchange to accommodate a Northern Powerhouse Rail station, which is forecast to transform our city centre and result in 15,000 new jobs and an additional £14 billion in GVA across the Leeds City Region.

“The round table, meeting was an opportunity to present the NIC with our investment priorities and to stress the need for the Government to back the Commission’s recommendations, which are key to the ongoing momentum of creating a real Northern Powerhouse.”

Sir John said: “From the cycle superhighway to the award-winning flood alleviation scheme in Leeds, it’s clear West Yorkshire is keeping a strong focus on improving local infrastructure for the benefit of residents and I was pleased to be in Bradford to hear about the progress being made.

“Our National Infrastructure Assessment – a first for the UK - has strong recommendations ranging from devolving more transport funding to cities and supporting demand for electric vehicles, to rolling out full fibre broadband and providing more energy from low-carbon sources.

“These would benefit West Yorkshire and the country as a whole, and I hope Cllr Hinchcliffe and other local leaders will work with us to make the case to ministers to make them a reality.”