Setting wheels in motion

Published on 19th April 2007 in News

Progress is being made in the battle to improve rail links between Snaith and Leeds after influential representatives from around the area attended the first rail action group meeting this week.

Snaith and Cowick town councillor Richard Bridge, chairman of the action group, told this newspaper that representatives from Snaith Town Council, Whitley Parish Council and Hensall Parish Council, as well as Andrew Percy, parliamentary Conservative candidate for Goole and Tony Ross, secretary of the Hull and East Riding Rail Users' Association, were present at Monday's meeting to discuss a way of improving links between Snaith and Leeds, via smaller stations including Rawcliffe, Hensall and Whitley.

Currently, Northern Rail runs just two daily direct trains between Snaith and Leeds, causing inconvenience for commuters living around the area.

Cllr Bridge said: "Everyone at the meeting was very keen to see a change and because the infrastructure is already in place, there are so many reasons why this should be implemented.

"We want people to be able to visit friends and family in Leeds by train without it being a major effort, which it is at the moment."

As a result of the meeting, representatives agreed to contact related organisations with a view to securing funding for a 'demand study' to be carried out.

Andrew Percy said following the meeting: "It was a very positive meeting, and it was important to have representatives present from all the areas affected as there was a diverse mix. We set very simple objectives for the first meeting.

"It's important that we get the support of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, because we're not going to progress unless it opens its doors on funding for a demand study.

"It's nigh on impossible to get to Leeds by train now, compared with ten years ago, and since climate change is high on the agenda at the moment, it's a no-brainer that there should be better links between Hull and Leeds.

"But it's a slow process that is not going to happen overnight."

Cllr Frank Blackburn from Whitley Parish Council added: "We have seen a real decline in the number of trains going from Leeds through Snaith and surrounding areas, and people wonder why the service isn't used, but you can't use it if it's not there."

A second meeting has been arranged for Monday, June 4, beginning at 7pm in Snaith School library.

Jack Davie, chairman of Whitley Parish Council, has offered his support to the campaign, and told this newspaper that, in particular, he will be campaigning for the name of Whitley Bridge station to be changed to Whitley and Eggborough station.

He said: "In my mind, there is not even such a place as Whitley Bridge."