COUNCILLORS in Oxenhope discussed how they can help handle an anticipated huge influx of visitors when the famous Flying Scotsman steam engine visits the area.

The 1920s locomotive is coming to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (K&WVR) from March 31 till April 9 next year.

K&WVR bosses are setting up a timetable of rides for people wanting to experience the thrill of travelling on this historic engine.

Ross Graham, acting chairman of the K&WVR operating company, spoke at the latest meeting of Oxenhope Parish Council.

He said the railway was hoping to arrange five or six round trips per day during the locomotive's visit, which will only be available for passengers with pre-booked tickets.

He warned parish councillors that when the Flying Scotsman visited the Severn Valley Railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire in the summer of this year, this heritage line had to handle 13,000 visitors in just four days.

Mr Graham said: "The visit will present opportunities and challenges. One of the challenges will be crowd control and parking.

"I'd like to open a dialogue with yourselves about how we can overcome any potential problems and mitigate them for residents, especially for those living around Station Road.

"We are going to run a bus service to take people from various car parks.

"We're very conscious of the disruption the visit could cause if we don't handle it properly.

"For example, there will be a large contingent of photographers who will probably be parking where nobody else tends to park.

"While this will probably be a fair distance away from the railway, they could still potentially get in people's way.

"I am concerned about using fields for overspill parking, because this event will be happening at the end of what might be a very wet winter and during what could be a wet spring."

Following Mr Graham's presentation, parish and ward councillors recommended possible steps the railway could take to minimise disruption.

Cllr Peter McManus suggested it could contact Timothy Taylor Brewery and ask whether it might be willing to allow the land it owns at the former WASK Engineering site to be used as a temporary coach park.

Former parish council chairman Neal Cameron said the K&WVR could get in touch with organisers of the Haworth 1940s Weekend for their input on how to safely accommodate extra vehicles.

Worth Valley ward councillor Russell Brown recommended the railway seek advice from Bradford Council's emergency planning manager, Mike Powell.

The Flying Scotsman, which spent most of this year touring the UK, has previously only visited Keighley while travelling on the mainline.

Officially named LNER Pacific 60103, it is being loaned by the National Railway Museum in York.

Fans are advised to check the website kwvr.co.uk for further information.

Built in Doncaster in 1923, the Flying Scotsman soon became the most prestigious locomotive on the British railway system, pulling the first train to break the 100mph barrier in 1934.

MORE TOP STORIES