IT'S GREAT to hear that Hull Trains and National Express are thinking about helping to put Harrogate back on the national railway map with direct services to London. With our current one-way only service to Kings Cross at 07.30, I hope that the plans for the new trains will also bring us back home!

So which way will they go? What about via Knaresborough and York? The line isn't used as much as the Leeds route and could allow slots for a number of trains.

New services would also present a good opportunity to invest in upgrading the signalling and track between Harrogate and York and, who knows, if we follow the Scottish example of reinstating railways, it might help the case in getting rails back to Ripon.

Also, what about developing the terminus bay platform as part of the proposed interchange plans at the north end of the station to accommodate the new trains and give a prestige welcome to our capital and conference commuters?

I'm pleased to see that Harrogate Borough Council’s new Chief Executive Wallace Sampson is keen to push Harrogate to higher things and that Brian Dunsby of the Chamber of Commerce is also supportive of a connection with the capital.

Soon, many of us may be wanting to leave our cars at home so let's all encourage and support this new initiative – register your support for the new services on Hull Trains and National Express websites now!