A FINANCIAL breakthrough has been made to end a "pedestrian's nightmare" at a Harrogate railway line.

There is no pedestrian access over Hookstone Road railway bridge, on the southern side of the road at Hornbeam Park Railway Station.

The only pedestrian bridge over the Leeds-Harrogate-York railway line at this point in Oatlands is on the northern side.

Now, North Yorkshire County Council has announced it will spend £130,000 towards the second footbridge project.

Councillor Cliff Trotter, who recently backed a petition from concerned parents and residents in the area, said: "I am delighted that the long-awaited footbridge now appears to be in sight.

"It will improve pedestrian safety at this point, not only for schoolchildren but others who live in the area or use the railway station."

Coun Trotter said organisers of the petition were "over the moon" that the breakthrough had been made.

The issue is expected to come before the county council's Harrogate area committee on Thursday, March 16, and then the scheme will have to be submitted as a planning application.

The county council funding is coming from part of a Government transport grant, while money was donated to the project some years ago by the nearby Hornbeam Park Business complex.

Coun Trotter said: "The planned footbridge has been a missing part of the highway network in that area for some time.

"Increased use of the station, the business park, college and concentration of schools in the area has made it a necessity.

"A footbridge will bring an end to people dashing across the road between cars at what has been a pedestrian's nightmare."