A FAR-reaching project to boost tourism and improve facilities in a market town will be unveiled later this month.

But the planned revamp of Bedale suffered a partial setback yesterday when councillors deferred a decision on re-opening the town's railway station.

They said that access and transport issues needed addressing before they could approve an application for change of use.

Maurice Cann, head of development control with Hambleton District Council, said: "Clearly, to open up a railway station means that you are wanting to attract passengers to the station and there are issues of how they are going to get there, both for pedestrians and people in cars."

Re-opening the station is just one part of Bedale's 25-year plan, which has been put together by urban design and planning consultancy Spawforth Associates, as part of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward's Renaissance Market Towns programme.

The document features proposals to revamp the market place and improve the town's harbour, even down to the introduction of a harbourmaster. Other proposals include creating better parking with picnic areas, extending the beckside promenade, improving tourist information facilities and building a new northern gateway to the town with better car and coach parking.

One of the most innovative ideas is for a Renaissance waterside park linking the railway with the town centre.

A Town Team of 72 residents, business people and councillors was set up to develop the plan over the past eight months.

John Laity, chairman of Bedale Chamber of Trade and Tourism, said: "This is a vision for the future. It is how we would like to see Bedale developing and gives us a positive view of things.

"It could affect planning, it could affect possible grants, it could affect all sorts of things.

"The plan is about improving tourism and business potential - making Bedale a destination for tourists so that instead of a short stay or just coming into town and driving off again, people stay for a long time because there is more to offer."

The plan will be launched at Bedale Hall on Monday, April 26, at 6.30pm. Organisers said everyone is welcome to join in the debate.