PLANS for a station at Horsforth Woodside have been dealt a blow after it failed to make it on to a list of potential developments.

Proposed stations for Guiseley Silverdale and Arthington have also been knocked back in the review of more than 30 possible new stations across North and West Yorkshire.

The Metro feasibility study says: “The site (Horsforth Woodside) is near to an existing station in Horsforth and so would compete for passengers and is also within the catchment of the new stations under development at Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge.

“There is also an overlap with the P&R site at Boddington on the NGT trolleybus system. For these reasons it is not recommended for further development at this stage.”

The review has provoked criticism.

Horsforth councillor Chris Townsley said: “Over many, many years we have been able to recognise the potential of having a ‘park and ride’ rail halt on the Woodside Quarry site and yet Metro dismiss it out of sight.

“The land is available, there is a new housing estate being built, it is adjacent to the A6120 Orbital Ring Road, it is within easy access for many road users and local residents, it will alleviate the incredible problems of the inadequate car parking and clogging up of the roads around Horsforth Station.

“This is an insult and a non-attempt at trying to sort out our local infrastructure needs.”

Horsforth councillor Brian Cleasby said: “It is Mickey Mouse stuff. It is not about planning for the 21st century and recognising the distance people travel now.”

Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Graham Latty added: “I am disappointed that neither the Guiseley nor Horsforth stations proposals look to be going forward as a result of this study. Local people in these growing areas deserve to have modern, accessible stations, and these proposals would have achieved just that.”

Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Paul Wadsworth said: “It’s disappointing that the proposed new stations for Guiseley and Horsforth have been rejected by this report.

“The problem with this line is that the car parks at the stations are simply too small to cater for demand.

“This pushes parked cars on to surrounding residential streets, which is becoming more and more of a problem.”

Otley and Yeadon councillors Ryk Downes stressed: “There are plans to build thousands more homes in the area and yet not build new stations, further evidencing the folly of destroying the green belt in the area.”