THE cost of building a new railway station in Cross Hills has more than doubled.

And it could be years before any work on it begins.

Costings compiled back in 1994 put the price of a station at around £1 million but this week North Yorkshire County Council transport chiefs estimated £2.4 million would have to be found due to inflation.

Firms bidding to run trains in the north would be asked to commit to the cash - but the current franchise does not run out for another two years.

Locals are being asked their views on where the platforms should go. Three options have been put forward.

o Option one has platforms at either side of the level crossing, but a bridge may have to be built to allow passengers to cross the line.

o Option two has the platforms facing each other on the site of the old station decommissioned in the sixties.

But this would mean building expensive ramps down to the site and traffic lights would have to be installed on Station Road, Cross Hills.

o A third option has emerged, suggested by Cononley resident and frequent train traveller Marten Lougee.

He says a combination of both ideas would make it easier for passengers to board trains and cut down on cost.

The county's environmental enhancement head, Chris Millns, and passenger transport manager, Richard Owens, met a delegation of South Craven residents to bring them up to speed on the station's progress.

"We need to make sure that those who are interested in running the rail franchise put their bids in for a station at Cross Hills," said Mr Millns.

"When we originally said £1 million, that was based on a similar station at Harrogate, but costs have gone up considerably.

"Despite recent hiccups, the trend is for growth in passenger numbers."

As the Herald revealed earlier this year, fares for stations on the North Yorkshire part of the Airedale Line are being looked at.

Mr Owens told last week's meeting that the issue of rail passengers driving to West Yorkshire for cheaper fares was being scrutinised.

The county council and the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (Metro) have agreed to jointly fund the study to look at traffic flows to cross-border railway stations.

"We're still influenced by Metro at Steeton station and that's a hurdle we have to overcome," he said.

"We don't want people to drive to stations at all, other than their nearest one."

However, once the new station is built, trains may only stop alternately at Cross Hills and Cononley.

Residents in Cononley were concerned that this could drastically reduce the frequency of trains stopping there and have a knock-on effect.

David Gulliver, clerk to Cononley Parish Council, commented: "I only live in Cononley because there's a station there and I'm not the only person.

"Factors like the price of houses are enhanced by the presence of the station."

No decision has been taken on how South Craveners will be asked their views on where the station should be built.

However, the majority of people living in the area will be given a say.