Passenger watchdogs are stepping up their campaign for extra seats when local train operator Northern Spirit replaces its Airedale line trains next year.

Members of the Aire Valley Rail User's Group (AVRUG) fear the new trains will not ease the current overcrowding experienced by many commuters at rush hour, travelling between Skipton, Bradford and Leeds.

And they plan to lobby local MPs later on this year in a bid for longer, four-carriage trains.

They believe the modern trains will boost demand on the routes and persuade people to ditch their cars in favour of commuting by rail.

"Overcrowding will continue to be an issue due to the success of our line," Tim Calow, chairman of AVRUG, told a gathering of around 20 people at the group's annual general meeting.

"Over the next year we will continue to campaign to make sure the new electric trains do provide enough seats. We think a fourth coach is the best way."

Mr Calow was re-elected chairman along with Rod Tickner (secretary); Neville and Mary Davies (news sheet); Keith Renshaw (publicity); Ray Wilkes and Keith Preston.

Bradford Station Officer Tony Pilling told members that a number of improvements to local services were in the offing.

They include a new Travel Centre at Bingley station, which should be in place by the end of the year; increased opening hours for ticket sales at Bingley and Shipley; the possibility of a new caf and shop at Shipley as well as extra car parking.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.