Discussions are underway to purchase a road train to help people get around Knaresborough more easily.
The train would connect Waterside and Market Place and make it easier for tourists to visit the entire town.
Some Waterside visitors are deterred by the steep climb to the town centre and others don’t even realise there is a thriving town centre nearby.
Ways to connect the two areas have been a topic of debate for years, but following discussions between Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and local businessman Tony Bennett, the idea may become a reality.
The train would pick people up from various locations and transport them round the town.
It would be similar to the Candy Cane Express train that operated in Harrogate last Christmas but run on a commercial basis rather than for free.
Initial ideas would see the train run from Conyngham Hall, along the river then up the hill to Market Square and York Road — a similar route to the town’s bed race.
The Candy Cane Express road train that ran around Harrogate over Christmas.
At a chamber meeting this week, business owners said they often spoke to tourists who visited Waterside and the River Nidd without knowing there was a bustling high street just up the hill.
Knaresborough’s hilly terrain can make it difficult for some to climb up the castle steps so it is hoped the land train would make Knaresborough a more accessible destination for people.
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Knaresborough Chamber of Trade committee member, Peter Lacey, told members plans were still at the discussion stage but if it went ahead it would probably operate as a standalone commercial venture run by Mr Bennett.
Mr Lacey told last night’s meeting:
“We have spoken with a supplier who has been doing this for years and can help us source the train and with council permissions. We will support anyone who wishes to run the project as we see it being an asset to the town and its businesses.
“We don’t know for sure when it will be up and running but I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t by the summer.”
Plans for an electronic cliff lift have been put forward by Renaissance Knaresborough but the group said it hadn’t made much progress due to coronavirus.
