A NEW £2.5 million railway station for Cross Hills is on track to reach its destination.

The first stage of a study to look at where to put it on the Airedale line arrived this week.

The report, commissioned by North Yorkshire County Council, identifies two different sites.

Option one is for two platforms to be staggered at either side of the Kildwick level crossing on Skipton Road. The second option is that the platforms will be located on the Skipton side of the bridge at Station Road - near to where the original station stood.

A 30-space car park would be provided with each option.

Officials at Railtrack favour option one, as they say it would minimise delays at the level crossing. However, this could cause a problem for pedestrian access from the car park.

Richard Owens, North Yorkshire County Council's passenger transport manager, told the Herald: "A deciding factor between the two options will be the effect they will have on delays at the level crossing.

"Existing delays are a major concern to the community and a recent meeting with Railtrack and representatives of local parish councils emphasised this point."

The next stage is to invite Railtrack and its consultants to a meeting, where the options can be discussed with local representatives.

The county council's Craven area committee will also consider the proposals at its March 1 meeting when it is hoped location maps will be available.

"These proposals are at a very early stage and a key factor is funding," added Mr Owens. "The proposals will need the support of the train operator, Railtrack and the Strategic Rail Authority if the project is to go ahead.

"The county council will be pressing for the station development to be included as part of the next franchise for the northern area network."

The cost of the study has been paid for by the county council in partnership with parish councils, Craven District Council and European funding.

A survey has already revealed that there would be enough potential passengers for a station at Cross Hills if one was built.

However, it is unclear whether the existing West Yorkshire subsidised fares scheme would be extended over the boundary to Skipton.

The original Cross Hills station, or New Kildwick as it was known, was closed down in the 1960s following a report into railways across the country by the then railways board chairman Dr Richard Beeching.