A coordinated volunteer effort has transformed Bradford Forster Square station in readiness for its new government-funded platform, due to enter service on Monday, 19 May. The additional infrastructure will enable London North Eastern Railway (LNER) to operate seven direct trains each day between Bradford and London King’s Cross, strengthening the city’s long-distance connectivity in the build-up to Bradford’s 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.
Yesterday’s clean-up brought together teenagers from the Bradford City Community Foundation and Peer Action Collective with staff from Northern, LNER, facilities contractor ISS and Bradford Council. The team removed litter from the platforms, car park and surrounding streets before refreshing the entrance to nearby Bradford Interchange. Earlier this year Northern—operator of Bradford Forster Square—completed a programme of repainting and minor refurbishments across the site.
Station Manager Trevor Armitage welcomed the collaborative effort: “It was fantastic to see all the volunteers pitch in and make sure Bradford Forster Square is looking its best when the new platform opens next week. We’d like to thank them for all their hard work.”
Further improvements are under way. The station team is clearing an overgrown green space beside Platform 1 with the aim of planting a community garden and installing new lighting in the adjacent railway arches.
LNER’s Senior Public Affairs Manager Ed Turner said the additional Bradford–London services are well-timed: “We are delighted to be introducing more trains to and from Bradford, especially during the year it celebrates UK City of Culture status. It was great to join colleagues from Northern and other volunteers to ensure the station looks its best for customers arriving in the city.”
Performance on Northern’s Bradford routes remains strong. Between 1 and 26 April fewer than 2 per cent of trains serving Bradford Forster Square were cancelled, while 97.1 per cent arrived within three minutes of schedule. Northern has also expanded Advance Purchase fares on its Ilkley and Skipton corridors, with single tickets starting at £1.80 and £1.90 respectively when booked up to 12 weeks ahead.
In April Northern unveiled special livery celebrating Bradford’s forthcoming City of Culture year. The Class 331 unit—named The Bradfordian—will carry the branding across West Yorkshire throughout 2025.
