Long-awaited plans to double the size of the car park at Steeton and Silsden railway station have moved a step closer.

County transport body Metro says the scheme is scheduled to be carried out in 2015-16.

The news is welcomed by Craven ward district councillor Andrew Mallinson. He said Steeton and Silsden station had more than 600,000 users a year, making it one of the busiest in West Yorkshire, but only around 200 parking spaces.

“People drive from Lancashire and North Yorkshire to use the station because they can access cheaper travel,” said Coun Mallinson. “Parked vehicles are causing problems in residential streets and clogging up the access to the nearby industrial estate, and some people are arriving at the station an hour before their train is due just to get a space.”

He said the area earmarked for the expansion was on a flood plain and so the level of engineering work involved could be greater than normal. A figure of £250,000 has been mooted for the project.