Calls for better transport network for Wetherby

A Wetherby ward councillor is calling on action to establish a better transport system for the area.

Speaking after Leeds City Council announced that it was abolishing controversial parking charges at the Wilderness and Station Gardens car parks, Coun Penny Stables said more action is needed.

"There's something rather daft about spending a whole year tying ourselves in knots over one tiny corner of the transport system, when we should have been looking at the whole messy jigsaw.

"Wetherby isn't Leeds city centre. We're a town with a collection of villages that has no railway stations and a pretty patchy bus network.

“For many people, getting into town without a car is practically a military operation. “

The Green Party councillor added: "We want Wetherby buzzing.

“People popping into shops, meeting friends, going for coffee, volunteering and generally getting out and about.

“We want better buses, proper connections between villages, park and ride, car sharing – the lot.

"Because the real prize isn't just free parking. It's being able to get from A to B without jumping through hoops."

Coun Stables said limited bus connections between Wetherby, Boston Spa, surrounding villages and neighbouring towns and cities leave many residents dependent on cars.

"We currently have a half hourly service from Wetherby to Leeds and Harrogate and an hourly service from Boston Spa and villages to Leeds and Harrogate.

“We have a five times a day service from Wetherby to York, which does not allow residents to get to work and back because of timings; and no direct service from Boston Spa and villages to York.

“I am most concerned about the link with York, which comes up as one of the top asks in our neighbourhood plan consultation in Boston Spa.

“It's not only important for getting to work and leisure activities, our mental health services are now signposted to York and yet unless you have a car you can't get there. “

She added: “That's why I am working with bus operators, WYCA (West Yorkshire Combined Authority), LCC (Leeds City Council), YCC (York City Council) and NYC (North Yorkshire Council) to try to extend the current number 412 service from Wetherby to York, to loop through Boston Spa and run at better times.

“I’m in conversation with WYCA around these possible changes and the funding needed to make them happen.

“I’m hoping we’ll see some changes by the end of April."

Wetherby MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke agreed that improvements are needed.

"Wetherby deserves a more ambitious transport vision,” he told the Wetherby News.

"Ever since the Beeching cuts removed our rail link, residents have deserved far more than the replacement bus – now the X98/X99 – and we have fought together to try to secure better options to Leeds, Harrogate and York.

"From Labour-run Leeds City Council to the Labour Mayor of West Yorkshire, their lacklustre vision for our region stops short of our town and surrounding villages.

The MP praised the work of Conservative Councillor Alan Lamb for his dogged public campaign to reverse the parking charges.

He added: "As we start to heal the damage done, we will continue to battle for better connections that put local people's needs first."