Metro, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council are working together to produce a Development Plan to improve rail services on the Harrogate Line between Leeds, Harrogate and York.
The plan will look at the possibilities of upgrading the route by using conventional, overhead electrification and trains, similar to the successful electrification of the Airedale/Wharfedale routes to Skipton and Ilkley
If full electrification isn’t deliverable, the option remains for a modern form of ‘third rail’ electrification and the use of ex-London Underground rolling stock, as proposed by Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce.
If any form of electrification proves impossible then additional and upgraded diesel rolling stock would be pursued.
“All the partners in the production of the Development Plan agree that something needs to be done to improve the Harrogate Line, and soon,” said Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis.
“It is clear from the discussions we have had so far that the route needs electrifying and it needs doing as soon as possible.
“The Harrogate Line generates all-day passenger flows serving a wide range of markets including commuters at both the Leeds and York ends of the route, long distance traffic to/from London, conferences and events as well as leisure travellers.
“The Development Plan will need to reflect all of these different markets, as well as proposing solutions which will include serving Leeds Bradford International Airport.
“Network Rail’s proposed electrification of the cross-Pennine route will present opportunities for ‘fill in’ schemes, such as the Harrogate and the Caldervale lines, that would present the opportunity for more through running of electric trains across the network,” he continued.
“As well as providing the groundwork for a much-needed link to the Airport, this comprehensive electrification of the network would meet the on-going forecast growth in passenger numbers and prepare the way for ensuring the benefits of a high-speed rail link would be felt right across the City Region.”
