Local MP’s campaign to improve rail services gains momentum

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is gaining support for his campaign to improve local train services, with the British Regional Transport Association (ERTA) now officially backing his efforts. 

Tom recently launched a campaign urging the government to invest in regional rail infrastructure and tackle long-standing transport issues that continue to hold the area back. Speaking in Parliament, he drew particular attention to the Leeds-to-York line via Harrogate, where a single-track bottleneck at Knaresborough severely limits capacity, causes frequent delays, and frustrates commuters. He called for urgent action to dual the track between Knaresborough and York – an essential upgrade to create a more reliable and efficient service. 

Shortly after launching the campaign, Tom met with Northern Rail and rode in the train cab along the route to witness the infrastructure challenges firsthand. During the journey, he discussed the need for significant investment and reiterated the importance of dualling the track. 

This week, the British Regional Transport Association has expressed their support for the campaign, adding even more momentum to it. Support from the British Regional Transport Association is incredibly encouraging and reflects the growing consensus that urgent improvements are needed – not just in Harrogate and Knaresborough, but right across the North.  

Commenting, Tom said: 

‘It’s fantastic to have the support of organisations like the British Regional Transport Association in the campaign to dual the track between Knaresborough and York. Their backing reinforces what so many of us already know – this is the right course of action, and it’s something the government must urgently take seriously.

"The North deserves the same level of transport investment that the South continuously receives. It’s simply unacceptable that our communities continue to struggle with outdated infrastructure while other benefit from modern, well-funded networks. 

“People in Harrogate and Knaresborough deserve a rail service that works – not one held back by bottlenecks and limited capacity. Dualling the line between Knaresborough and York is a vital first step, and I’ll continue to press the government to stop dragging its feet and invest in the rail network our region so desperately needs.”

ENDS