A CLEAR message has been sent to transport bosses by the people of Wharfedale: 'Give us our Missing Link'.

Support for Wharfedale Newspapers' The Missing Link campaign has flooded in since its launch just a week ago.

The campaign is backing Otley Town Partnership's bid to secure better public transport for the area with the key aim of a bus link from the town to and from Menston railway station.

Members of the public have been flocking to our Orchard Gate office to sign petitions which will be handed to transport chiefs by Partnership representatives pushing to secure the link.

The long-term aim is to build Otley's own railway station to maximise transport and business in Wharfedale.

In the meantime, the group wants a fast and regular bus service to make travel more efficient for all.

By interlinking rail and road, it is hoped traffic congestion will be eased on the main routes to Leeds and Bradford. A key 'green' aim of the plan is also to reduce pollution throughout Wharfedale.

Members hope that improved public transport, starting with The Missing Link, will eventually encourage more people to leave their cars at home.

Our campaign has also been backed by the Lord Mayor of Leeds for 1998, Councillor Graham Kirkland.

Coun Kirkland (LibDem, Otley and Wharfedale) said he had been pushing for the integration of public transport for a number of years. It was, he said, an essential move to make services more attractive to passengers.

"The campaign is certainly a good idea," he said. We should try for the link and really lean on the companies involved to convince them to do it. It's the best thing for their customers."

Coun Kirkland said he was keen to see a number of measures adopted to improve services in Wharfedale which could even include a link to Weeton or the re-opening of Arthington station. "Obviously it would be wonderful to re-open the rail link in Otley as well," he said.

Add your voice to the swell of support for The Missing Link by filling in this coupon and returning it to our office at 9 Orchard Gate, Otley LS21 3NX. Alternatively, register your vote by signing a petition at the office front desk.

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