THE Wharfedale Observer's campaign for better bus links is to become a reality.

Otley Town Council has almost completed a deal with Metro to improve public transport in the area - and councillors have decided to back our Missing Link appeal by including a better bus service to Menston Railway Station.

Our campaign was launched a year ago, and now the Labour-controlled council is to pump thousands of pounds into providing a number of extra bus services - including links to Wharfedale General Hospital - with Metro making its own substantial contribution.

The council's share of the cost of boosting bus services is £17,000 and will be met by raising the annual precept (the amount local residents pay to the council) by an extra 14 per cent.

However, Councillor Sue Egan, town council leader, was at pains to point out this week that while the percentage increase for the improved bus services might seem high at first glance, in real terms it would cost each family on average only £2.50 a year. In addition, Metro would be investing much more money than the council.

Councillor Philip Coyne said he was delighted with the news of the bus link with Menston Rail Station.

"There is a demand for partnership and this £17,000 will link us with Menston, which the Wharfedale Observer has been campaigning for.

"Otley was the first to get Optare buses (with low level floors to improve access). We know there is a real demand from the community for this bus service," he said.

The decision was made at the council's annual budget meeting on Monday. Coun Egan said: "This major initiative has become possible through accessing new Government money, enabling us to seriously address the transport and related road safety and environmental issues which have preoccupied many of our discussions over the past four years."

Working in partnership with both Metro and the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority (WPTA) had been the key to introducing Optare buses to Otley, and could now help solve long-term transport difficulties in the area, said Coun Egan.

She added: "It seems fitting that in the spirit of partnership this opportunity comes directly from legislation passed by the previous Government, enabling town councils such as ours to raise money to improve community transport.

"And through extra money made available to areas like our own by this Government we can make genuine improvements in services a reality."

Coun Egan explained how the budget proposal included a second strand to make sure the bid was carried out. "By raising an additional £17,000 we can bring in extra money to enable Metro to tender for significant service improvements," she said.

Under the plans put forward by the town council, they will include:

l The bus link to Menston Railway Station.

l A service for residents of Whiteley Croft Garth.

l Restoration of a service for people living on West Busk Lane.

l A return to Sunday morning services for the Weston Estate.

l Improvements of services to both Newall and Weston.

Coun Egan said another concern was making sure there was a good service to Wharfedale General Hospital on its existing site and, in the longer term, on its new site in Pool Road if re-located.

"Taken together with next month's scheduled announcement of the UDP inspector's findings on the completion of Otley's bypass, this more than answers any remaining questions the health authority might have about future development of the hospital here in Otley, on whichever site," she said.

However, there was some

opposition to the proposals from members of the town council. Councillor Colin Campbell did not feel Otley residents should be expected to pay for transport which was originally funded by Metro.

"They pulled the plug on the West Busk Lane route. Metro appear to say the only way you are to get that service is to pay for it yourself," he said.

"It is sad to me we are being asked to fund a bus service which we should have by right."

However, Coun Egan's proposal that the budget be approved was seconded by Councillor Ray Dunn and carried by eight votes to four.

Councillors voting against were Couns Graham Kirkland, Gerard Francis, Colin Campbell and Christine Campbell.

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