IT’S one of the biggest towns in the UK, but it still has no direct link to London.

Now rail campaigners are urging the Government to give Huddersfield a fast train line to the capital.

Residents of neighbouring Brighouse celebrated when a direct 125mph service between their town and London was announced last week.

But Huddersfield, Penistone and Sheffield Rail Users Association (HPSRUA) say Huddersfield passengers must still travel to Leeds, Wakefield or Sheffield to reach London by rail.

Passengers can also get to the capital via Manchester Picadilly, but this is generally a more expensive option.

When the Bradford to London service opens in December, travellers will be able to catch a fast service five miles away in Brighouse. But HPSRUA says Huddersfield deserves its own link.

The organisation says the Government should release funds to open a second track along the Penistone Line between Huddersfield and Sheffield.

The line currently has just one track which means trains must use passing loops to allow engines travelling in the opposite direction to pass.

The journey from Huddersfield to Sheffield takes around one hour and 20 minutes.

The double track Penistone line was reduced to a single line in the 1980s.

But former HPSRUA treasurer Peter Unwin says the line has the infrastructure to lay down a second line which will allow trains to travel express to London via Sheffield. Mr Unwin says this would mean a rail time between Huddersfield and London of around two hours 50 minutes with no need to change.

HPSRUA committee member Mr Unwin said: “Ever since the line was single-tracked they’ve regretted it.

“The best thing for Huddersfield and South Kirklees is for the line to be double-tracked compared to the cost of building a new line or a new motorway.

“The Penistone Line is overcrowded and very slow. If a train breaks down it causes chaos.

“We’ve had promises of extra housing in South Kirklees and we need better infrastructure. The roads won’t cope.

“I think Penistone Line operator Northern Rail would be quite happy to see double track, but the Government doesn’t want to spend any money on it.”