Local MP Tom Gordon Launches Campaign for Better Rail Links

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is calling on the government to invest in local rail services and fix long-standing transport issues that are holding the region back.

Speaking in Parliament, Tom paid tribute to the late Brian Dunsby OBE, a tireless champion for Harrogate’s rail links. He praised Brian’s instrumental role in securing the direct Harrogate-to-London train service—now running six times a day—but made it clear that much more still needs to be done.

At the heart of the problem is the Leeds-to-York line via Harrogate, where the track bottlenecks into a single line at Knaresborough. This outdated infrastructure limits train frequency, causes delays, and frequently frustrates commuters.

Tom called for action to dual the track between Knaresborough and York, a crucial step toward a more efficient, reliable railway. However, the Transport Minister failed to commit to any real solutions—offering only the prospect of a future meeting with the Rail Minister, a response Tom slammed as deeply inadequate.

Determined to highlight the scale of the problem, Tom met with Northern Rail the very next day and rode in the train cab along the route to see the lacking infrastructure firsthand. Speaking with Northern Rail during the journey, he reiterated the pressing need for investment to dual the track and improve services for passengers.

Tom Gordon MP said:

“We don’t need more meetings—we need real action. People in Harrogate and Knaresborough deserve a rail service that works for them, not one with limited capacity and bottlenecks.

“If we want people to choose public transport over cars, we have to make it a viable, reliable option. That starts with dualling the track between Knaresborough and York to boost capacity and ensure more frequent services.”

“I will keep pushing the government to stop dragging its feet and start delivering the investment our rail network so desperately needs.”

With the campaign to dual the line now launched, Tom has vowed to keep fighting until the government delivers real action - not just empty promises.

ENDS