Road train could transport people around hilly Knaresborough

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.

New Christmas express train from London to Harrogate

A Christmas express train is to operate from London to Harrogate this year to attract people to the town’s new festive market.

Tourism organisation Visit Harrogate has partnered with rail company LNER to set up the service for the new Christmas Fayre on Friday, December 10.

The first class service will depart King’s Cross at 9.33am and arrive in Harrogate just under three hours later. Tickets cost £140 and include a goodie bag of Harrogate treats. It will cost £100 from Stevenage and £80 from Grantham.

Passengers can spend one or two days in Harrogate.

A giant inflatable snow globe is being installed at King’s Cross station today and tomorrow, offering people the chance to have selfies taken inside a winter wonderland scene, while learning more about the special event.

Visit Harrogate is planning the biggest Christmas campaign in its history after covid ruined last year’s festivities.

Gemma Rio, head of destination management at Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“We are delighted to be working with LNER to bring more visitors to Harrogate for a festive break. Overnight visitors spend money in our hotels, restaurants, shops and visitors attractions – which is exactly what our local businesses need after a difficult year.

“The direct service from London is a real asset to our visitor economy, so we’re committed to working closely with LNER in the lead up to Christmas and beyond to ensure potential visitors from the south east know just how easy it is to reach us.”

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Harrogate Borough Council and Visit Harrogate are planning to work with LNER on a regular basis to attract visitors from London throughout the year.

Kate McFerran, director of communications at LNER said:

“We are excited to announce that Harrogate will be the destination for our very first Christmas market event. It’s such a stunning location for a weekend visit, offering something for all the family and it promises to be especially magical this Christmas.”

Harrogate’s Christmas offering

Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which is being jointly staged by the council and Market Place Europe, will take place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent from December 3 to 12.

It will be open between 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.

About 50 traders will take part in the fayre.

In addition, Little Bird Made is set to hold a festive artisan market in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, with times to be confirmed.

The artisan market will feature approximately 60 local and regional traders and producers who will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as food and drink.

Woman sexually assaulted at Harrogate train station

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following a sexual assault at Harrogate Station.

A woman waiting for a train was approached by a man who tried to strike up a conversation with her shortly after 7pm on Saturday August 7.

The woman turned away but the man continued to speak before sexually assaulting her.

British Transport Police said in a statement today:

“Officers believe the man in the image may have information which could help their investigation.”

If you recognise him, or have any information, you can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference number 567 of 07/08/21.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

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Northern to increase trains on Harrogate line

Train operator Northern is introducing new timetables with more trains from Sunday May 16.

Northern has been running a reduced service since the current lockdown began in January but the new timetable will return services to similar levels to before the pandemic.

It means the Harrogate line will have more trains during peak hours, and services will start earlier and end later on some days.

Throughout most days there will continue to be a roughly half-hourly service between Harrogate and Leeds, and an hourly service between Harrogate and York.

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Some of the changes include:

Northern do not expect any overcrowding, although a spokesperson said:

“It’s very difficult to say. There is no official capacity limit, however we are very conscious that people may well be concerned so we’re asking people to tailor their journeys to try and travel outside of the busiest times.”

 

Bus replacement on Harrogate trains to Leeds on Sunday

Rail passengers on the Harrogate to Leeds line will have to use a bus replacement service on Sunday.

Network Rail has announced work to install new overhead line equipment and signals will cause disruption after the last train on Saturday and continue throughout Sunday.

Normal service will resume on Monday, which is a bank holiday.

It means trains will terminate at Horsforth, and replacement buses will operate between there and Leeds station all day on Sunday.

Trains from Harrogate to York will run as normal.

The replacement buses will pick up and drop off passengers on New Station Street, in front of Leeds station.

Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check their journey with National Rail enquiries.

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£589m invested into northern railways

A £589 million investment has been announced to start works to upgrade and electrify the Transpennine main line between Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester.

This is the first stage of investment to streamline the northern route. The investment is for design and enabling works to take place.

This stage will include partial electrification of the route, a new through platform at Huddersfield, and about eight miles of extra four-tracking. The introduction of four tracks in some areas will allow fast trains to overtake slower ones and improve journey times and reliability for passengers across the North.

A new Northern Transport Acceleration Council will also be established to encourage better connection across Northern towns and cities. It will also give northern leaders a direct line to ministers to try to give passengers a reliable transport network.

Brian Dunsby from the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, said:

“We welcome any investment in the north it will be beneficial for commuters from Harrogate. We need the lines electrified around Harrogate, so I welcome announcements of this type but we’ll have to see the lines included in works as further announcements are made. A northern council is a positive step as long as they listen to the northern business community and local lobby groups.”

The council will be made up of mayors and council leaders and be chaired by Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary.

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The plans also include upgrades to replace thousands of diesel lorry journeys with electric freight trains.

This investment comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed over £720m investment in local transport in the North through the Transforming Cities Fund.

 

Harrogate to Leeds line gets new smart tickets

Commuters travelling between Harrogate and Leeds will be able to get a new smart ticket for discounted travel from today.

It is a step towards a London-style contactless payment system and comes as part of Transport for the North’s (TFN) drive to update public transport.

The new season tickets are available on Northern and LNER services. They give passengers 10 unlimited travel days for the price of nine valid for six months.

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TFN plans to roll the scheme out on further routes. A Transport Focus survey found that over a third expect to work from home with limited travel to the work place.

TFN hopes the new tickets with a flexible season pass will work well for those workers.

Jeremy Acklam, TFN director of integrated and smart travel, said:

“Now more than ever, due to the impact of coronavirus on our travel habits, passengers need safer, better value and more convenient ways to pay for public transport. Flexi seasons will provide this for thousands of passengers.”

This is part of the £150 million integrated and smart travel programme. The next stage proposes to deliver more contactless payment technology across the North.