Rail funding bid go-ahead hailed
as step towards vital upgrades

Delays have blighted the antiquated stretch of railway since two sections were reduced to single tracks around 30 years ago.

Now, North Yorkshire County Council has approved a recommendation to apply for funding to reinstate a second track at the longest such section, between Knaresborough and Cattal.

Harrogate Line Supporters’ Group, which is pushing for electrification of the whole line between Leeds, Harrogate, Knaresborough and York, said the move was a “vital first step” towards other plans for the route.

The group’s leader, Brian Dunsby, chief executive of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “It is all part of the bigger jigsaw puzzle.

“Hopefully it will come ahead of Network Rail’s plans for re-signalling this part of the line, as they have recently completed on the Leeds to Harrogate part of the route.

“Reinstatement of the double track will also make it possible to build a new Flaxby Moor Parkway Station with a large park and ride site, as part of the planned Flaxby Green Business Park, adjacent to the existing R R Donnelly Print Works.”

Reinstating the section of double track would mean trains would no longer have to wait at each end for services travelling the opposite way to pass, slashing journey times.

Fewer delays resulting from that stretch of the line would also relieve some of the pressure from the other section of single track between Hammerton and Poppleton, the group said.

A bid for funding is now to be prepared for the North Yorkshire Local Transport Body (NYLTB) to consider.

North Yorkshire County Council executive member and former Harrogate Borough Council leader Don Mackenzie said: “The potential economic benefit of the doubling of the track from Knaresborough to Cattal is huge, opening up the possibility of faster and more frequent rail services between Harrogate and the ECML at York.

“It also represents a necessary improvement to the line prior to electrification. I am particularly grateful to my colleagues on the executive for their unanimous support for this bid.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, a member of the All Party Parliamentary Rail in the North Group, said the 
bid was significant step forward in the campaign for further 
improvements, most significantly electrification, but also including new signalling, better platform 
facilities and updated rolling stock.

“For the first time we have MPs, local authorities, business leader and rail companies all making the case for an improved line,” said the Conservative MP.

“It is great to be part of that big team pushing for big improvements.

“Double-tracking the Knaresborough to Cattal part of the line would improve capacity, reduce delays and strengthen the case 
for more improvements to the line that we are currently compiling 
to submit to the Secretary of 
State.

“I believe that this coordinated campaign – harnessing the expertise of many diverse groups of rail users and operators – stands the best chance of securing the multi-million pound funding the line so desperately needs.

”The Secretary of State for Transport is aware of our proposals as I have personally brought them to his attention.

“I will ensure that he and the Ministerial team is brought up-to-speed with these latest developments.”