BUSINESS ambassadors from across the district have met with politicians at the Houses of Parliament.

Members of Bradford Breakthrough travelled to London to discuss with MPs issues including transport and education.

They also debated how they could pool their collective influence and resources to promote the district.

All the district’s MPs – including Keighley’s John Grogan and Philip Davies, whose Shipley constituency includes Cullingworth and Denholme – were present, together with local Peers and Bradford Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe.

Matters discussed at the two-hour meeting included a campaign to improve transport links – including access to high-speed rail – ways to raise educational attainment levels, plans for a medical school at the University of Bradford and the possibility of Channel 4 being relocated to the district.

Also on the agenda was devolution in Yorkshire and the Well Bradford project, which aims to improve the health of the population.

Following the meeting, Trevor Higgins, chief executive of Bradford Breakthrough, thanked business leaders and the parliamentarians for helping to organise and attending the event.

He said: “This new approach will mean we can work together more closely in supporting the district’s economic and social wellbeing.

“I firmly believe Bradford has turned the corner and that great things are happening right across the district, so this is an opportune right time for us to come together to drive improvement still further.

“Bradford Breakthrough is the voice of big business for the district – our members include most of the district’s largest organisations.

“Our parliamentarians recognise the greater impact that can be made when they work collectively on behalf of their localities, where appropriate setting aside party political differences in pursuit of shared interests.”

Mr Grogan,said: “If Bradford’s MPs and Peers bat together we can make sure our great city gets its fair share of attention and resources.

“Bradford means not just the city itself but the towns and villages of the Aire, Wharfe and Worth valleys.

“Gaining a place for Bradford on the new trans-Pennine high-speed line is crucial but so is restoring the Skipton to Colne rail link which will allow-direct trains from Shipley, Bingley and Keighley to Manchester.”