BUS chiefs have pledged that Harrogate will have its new £2.5m central bus station up and running by June after years of uncertainty about its future.

Work started on the scheme just two weeks ago to transform the temporary bus halt into a passenger-friendly station.

Although the bus station is being developed by Blazefield Holdings, parent company of Harrogate and District Travel, North Yorkshire County Council, which is the local transport authority, has contributed £700,000 towards the project.

A county council spokes-man said it would make a big improvement for bus travellers throughout the district.

"We are investing heavily in public transport infrastructure as part of an overall scheme to address social isolation and traffic growth, and this scheme is just part of it," he said.

Following years of uncertainty about the Station Parade terminal, the bus company exchanged contracts to acquire the site and adjoining car park from Scottish Widows.

Between 1991 and 1995 the site was closed down, sparking an outcry from traders and the public when buses were forced to operate from town centre streets while smaller surrounding towns still had bus stations.

Buses were allowed back on to the present site in 1995, but during the past seven years the bus company has never had more than two months security of tenure.

David Alexander, operations director for the bus company, said everything was on schedule for the new station to be operating by June.

Some buses still use roadside stops, but they will eventually use the enlarged bus terminal, which is next to the town's railway station.

Stalemate was broken last year when the bus company was involved in breakthrough talks with the county council and borough council to provide a new station after years of complaints from passengers about the temporary halt and bus stops dotted throughout the town centre.