BUS users in Otley are missing out on a share in a million pound security programme being introduced by transport bosses - because the town's terminal is privately owned.

The West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority (WYPTA) has approved the £1.64 million scheme to provide CCTV cameras, customer help points and better lighting at all Metro bus stations in West Yorkshire. Those to be improved include nearby Ilkley.

But passengers using Otley's bus station won't see the benefits because it is owned by London-based firm TBI plc, which also owns the Orchard Gate shopping complex.

Ward councillor Phil Coyne (Lab, Otley and Wharfedale) said it was a shame that the bus station - which is frequently the scene of vandalism and anti-social behaviour - would not be improved along with Ilkley and the rest of the county.

"It is unfortunate that we will miss out on this," he said. "What I have been seeking in Otley bus station is real-time information on a screen, because it is critical that people know if the buses are running or not. What people cannot cope with is the complete absence of information."

Coun Coyne said the only way to achieve that for Otley passengers would be for Metro and TBI plc to work together.

"They would have to negotiate over fitting some kind of help point. In my view, Orchard Gate would benefit anyway if the owners were to fit CCTV," he said.

However, the cost of fitting high quality CCTV would have to be met by tenants of the shopping complex, according to Jack Peacock, of Orchard Gate agents, Murray's.

Mr Peacock said that while a shared scheme with Metro would help reduce the overall cost, he felt tenants might baulk at paying for improvements they would not directly benefit from.

"We will always talk to people about these ideas and our job is to make sure the centre continues to prosper. We would like the bus company to make improvements but it would only be the passengers who would benefit from them," he said.

Coun Coyne said the plan to buy a mobile camera to move around Otley could benefit both tenants and bus users. "It can go to 'hot spots' and focus in on them if necessary, so it could be used in that way," he said.

A spokeswoman for Metro said the programme of security measures at Ilkley could start in April or May this year.

It includes:

l High quality colour CCTV cameras linked to a central control room in Leeds where they will be monitored. The room will have direct links with Metro's own security staff and West Yorkshire Police.

l Improvements to station lighting to ensure that good quality pictures can be taken and that no blackspots exist.

l Emergency help points at which customers can have a two-way conversation with the control room while under surveillance.

Work has already begun in setting up the control room which Metro hopes will be in operation by the end of this year and linked to the majority of stations. It has been designed to take on more stations if necessary.

"A number of bus stations have high quality cameras already but this is part of an overall upgrade, particularly the direct line to a control room from the help points. It's part of an ongoing programme to improve safety and security at all our stations," she said.

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