A railway freight siding could be opened next to the Aire Valley Trunk Road on the Keighley to Crossflatts section, if local industry shows support.

English, Welsh & Scottish Railway, the UK's largest rail freight operator, will visit Keighley next month at the invitation of Keighley Business Forum.

It will set up shop at Ingrow station on the Keighley & Worth Valley railway line, bringing along the giant Canadian-built Class 66 diesel freight locomotive and several state-of-the-art freight wagons.

They will be parked on the railway's road/rail interface siding where the K&WVR usually loads and offloads steam locomotives and heritage carriages.

EWS and Railtrack are investigating the feasibility of an Aire-dale line rail freight terminal to the Aire Valley trunk road.

Councillor Barry Thorne (Lab, Keighley West) said he would welcome such plans. He said: "If it means there would be more freight off the road, then that can only be a good thing and of benefit to Keighley."

A EWS spokesman said: "We are coming along to Keighley to show our railway hardware and to show what we can do in the area.

"We hope to meet people from local industry to see what potential there is for rail freight. If it means several wagons a week we would be interested. The next stage would be to look at possible sites in the Keighley area.''

Keighley Business Forum project officer Graham Mitchell said: "Clearly, it's essential to assess the potential market demand for wagon-load freight among Keighley-based companies and those further afield.

"EWS management is only too well aware that within the manufacturing sector, many distribution managers think only in terms of articulated lorry and motorway.''

The demonstration day would show local business people the potential for using rail and how small amounts can be carried by train. He believed there were many companies along the Aire Valley which could benefit by using rail instead of road transport.

Throughout the day - Wednesday, June 23 - people would be invited see the railstock and talk to EWS representatives.

People wanting more information should telephone Mr Mitchell on (01535) 671870.

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