Car-parking spaces at Guiseley train station have almost doubled as improvement works on the district's railways continue.

The £20,000 extension has seen spaces at the station expand from 47 to 89. The scheme is being funded by Northern Spirit, formerly Regional Railways North East.

The West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority today welcomed the improvements, saying they will lead to more passengers on the Wharfedale line.

Leeds City councillor Moira Dunn, a member of the authority's rail working group, said: "This is just part of the continuing development of the Metro Train network, which we ensured were protected when we were involved in the franchising process.

"Passenger numbers have increased significantly since the electrification of the Airedale and Wharfedale lines and look set to increase more so when the new trains on order come into service."

At the moment, Northern Spirit runs 35-year-old slam-door trains on the lines, which they say are a stop-gap measure until new trains are up and running by the year 2000.

They are to spend £120 million on 16 100mph Class 333s - designed to seat 280 passengers in air conditioned surroundings. They are on order from top manufacturer Siemens.

Coun Dunn added: "I understand Northern Spirit will also be putting up new signage in a few weeks which will clearly identify the new marked-out spaces."

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