ERTA calls for the rebuilding of a Harrogate-Ripon-Northallerton Rail Link for Local and Regional use.

ERTA calls for the rebuilding of a Harrogate-Ripon-Northallerton Rail Link for Local and Regional use.

As the Northern Powerhouse and Transport for the North gear up and talk a great talk on ‘infrastructure’, we wish to draw their attention that local rail links matter and restoring some closed lines like the strategic missing link between Harrogate, Ripon and Northallerton could offer local solutions at much less cost than High Speed links which at £billions will probably draw talent to commute to London and still leave intermediate communities congested, polluted and disenfranchised from decent fixed rail infrastructure. Making existing lines as robust as can be is desirable, but correcting the past mistake of stealthy line closures implemented in the 1960’s and 1980’s went too far and has locked in road dependency. Car ownership is a cost and responsibility. Likewise, freight by roads takes up space, pounds structures and old buildings and creates an eyesore. It is the conviction of ERTA that we need to rectify and give people and freight more choices than just locked-in road dependency.

Other benefits the local rail could offer:

1. Reduced traffic on the A61 and associated parking in urban areas increased traffic brings.

2. Sustainable footfall and spend in local historic and beauty spot outlets minus traffic.

3. Underpin employment, healthy local economies, offer commuting options to and from main centres.

4. Link the North-South Main Lines of East Coast and Midland Main Lines as well as associated regions.

If you agree with the proposal to proceed with a consideration at least of rebuilding this important local and regional missing rail link and piece of infrastructure, you may wish to write giving support to the following (this list is not exhaustive):

1. Mr Barry White, Chief Executive, Transport for the North, c/o 4 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3BN T. 0161 244 0888 E. parliamentarycorrespondance@transportforthenorth.com

2. Chief Executive and Council, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8AD T. 01609 780780

3. Chief Executive and Council, Harrogate Borough Council: c/o Customer Service Centre is at Civic Centre, St Lukes Avenue, Harrogate HG1 2AE E. customerservices@harrogate.gov.uk

T. 01423 500600

4. Andrew Jones MP, Harrogate and Knaresborough, 57 The Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5LQ Telephone: 01423 529614/Email: andrew.jones.mp@parliament.uk

5. Rishi Sunak MP, Richmond Constituency, Unit 1, Omega Business Village, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DN6 2NJ E Telephone: 01609 765330/Email: rishi.sunak.mp@parliament.uk

6. Julian Smith MP, Skipton and Ripon Constituency, Conservative Association, Churchill House, 19 Otley Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1DY E. julian.smith.mp@parliament.uk T. 01756 792 092

7. Clerk and Council, Ripon City Council, Ground Floor, Town Hall, Market Place South, Ripon, HG4 1DD T. 01765 604097 E. admin@riponcity.gov.uk

ERTA now has its 3 main publications for sale as either hard copy or pdf downloads on our excellent sales page on our website: https://ertarail.com/sales/