The plans that a Mr Alex Ross Shaw (councillor) described were for anext underground station near the Debenham's entrance to Broadway.
I really hope this happens and we don't get the parkway station on the old Bradford Interchange avoiding curve.
That's my worry, that a half-arsed solution will be suggested because getting the line through Bradford is seen as too difficult.
Is crossing the Pennines by rail *really* difficult? I've always found it reasonably easy with plenty of trains to choose from via a few routes, all of them stunningly scenic. The only problem I've found is severe overcrowding, which just requires rolling stock to solve it, and said rolling stock is on order.
It's crossing by road that is, unless you go north and use the M62, very poorly provided for. Building the M67 to Sheffield would almost certainly have a better cost-benefit ratio than another railway. Though I must admit that in most weathers (other than ice/snow) I really enjoy a nice drive across Woodhead or the Snake, it'd really drag every day.
The rolling stock will help, but on the North TP it is not uncommon for a TPE to get caught behind a late running Northern stopper either Leeds-Huddersfield, or Huddersfield-Manchester and that can quickly add at least 10 minutes to the timing, which in turn leads to the following TPE to catch up and before you know it there's a queue forming. The TPE skip-stoppers will help a bit, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the same problems will continue from time to time.
The problem isn't going to just be solved by extra capacity, that will just allow the existing passengers who are currently standing to get a seat. The problem is that with route like the North TPE you have a combination of commuter, suburban & inter city services all vying for the same tracks, tracks which as you'll know have some serious assents into the hills and back and with the exception of the short section between Ravensthorpe & Mirfield is all 2 track. And with the Northern Connect brand on its way, similar problems will occur on the Calder and I'm sure they will occur on the Hope too. So in short, to get a genuine inter city route across the Pennines, either one of the routes needs 4 tracking throughout, or a new alignment is needed.
As for the M62, mind your language if you please, it has almost become a swearword in these parts as its increasingly rare to hear the M62 being mentioned without an expletive!!
Most of the alignment between Shipley and Leeds was originally four-track. How difficult would it be to route the new line that way?
Most of it could be achieved, there are sections where the additional tracks could be put in easily, however both stations would need rebuilding as they sit across the trackbed and potentially in one or two pinch points some land procurement might be needed. Not to hardest of engineering projects, but it would have it's challenges. I believe the most pressing issue might be Thackley tunnel east of Shipley, the second bore is there but by all accounts is in poor condition.
Saddleworth Moor is east of Greenfield. By your reference to the M62 I assume you're referring to what the OS map calls Moss Moor.
If a railway hugged the M62 on the climb from Milnrow the curves would limit it to about 50mph. Straightening it out would involve tunnels or viaducts as the motorway follows the curving side of the valley.
Yes, sorry I've always referred to it as Saddleworth Moor but that's the one. And I agree, a straighter alignment, indeed any would require some extensive tunnelling and bridgeworks.