A CAMPAIGN group has produced a wish list of improvements to rail stations following a public survey.

Among things Friends of Baildon Station (FOBS) want at that station include the installation of a ticket machine and improved disabled access.

The survey also found 83 per cent of respondents want public toilets at Shipley station; 72 per cent want the old station building in Baildon to be restored; 70 per cent want shorter connection times at Shipley and Guiseley for trains to Leeds; 66 per cent want car parking improvements, and 59 per cent want a better passenger shelter.

The group will use the survey’s findings to update its improvement plan.

It will also look to have a meeting with Northern and other agencies to call for investment in Baildon station and rail services as part of Northern's £38 million station improvement programme.

John Bowdery, FOBS chairman, said: “Baildon station is a vital and important facility for our community. Usage is increasing, including those coming to work in Baildon’s many businesses.

“But there is massive suppressed demand here as the station is a long walk for many residents and the transport links are often poor, as are passenger facilities if you have to wait, either at Baildon or Shipley.

“If we make travelling by train more attractive it is a win-win situation, we all benefit from reduced road traffic with all the environmental benefits that brings.

“FOBS wants to work with all the authorities involved to get a better deal for Baildon rail users.”

Gill Dixon, a Baildon Town Councillor and member of the group, said “FOBS has had fantastic support from all sections of the community and is going from strength-to-strength.

“Volunteers are working to improve the appearance of the station, but what we really need is some serious investment which would be repaid by increased passengers on the trains.

“Baildon Town Council will do all it can to support FOBS and seek the improvements which are so badly needed.”

A Northern spokesman pledged that it would work with FOBS over the coming months as it carried out its modernisation programme.

“We are in the very early stages of our Better Stations programme, which is designed to bring improvements to the majority of stations across our network," he said.

“We have worked closely with all stakeholders during the initial stages of the programme and will continue to do so.

“As such, we welcome the survey carried out by FOBS and look forward to working with them during the coming months and years as we implement our exciting and ambitious modernisation plan.”