TOURISM chiefs have warned that Bedale could be turned into a “ghost town” if plans for a new car park alongside a proposed bypass do not become a reality.

Yvonne Rose, chairwoman of the town’s chamber of trade and tourism, says the so-called “gateway car park” is vital for Bedale’s future economic health.

Ms Rose says the need for a new car park was agreed in the 2004 Bedale Renaissance charter, a 25-year vision for the town.

A possible site for the car park, to the north of St Gregory’s Church, has been identified.

The issue was raised at a meeting of Hambleton District Council’s area forum for Bedale, on Wednesday.

At the meeting, Councillor Arthur Barker, leader of the council and ward member for Leeming, said the district council could not commit itself to funding the car park until plans for the bypass are approved.

Ms Rose stopped short of accusing councillors of reneging on the 2004 charter, but called for more “joined-up thinking” between Hambleton and North Yorkshire County Council, which is to deliver the bypass project.

She said: “At the meeting of Bedale area forum, I asked what Hambleton’s position was on providing the gateway car park.

“I was told that there is no commitment to put a funding package in place until after a decision on the bypass is made.”

Ms Rose is concerned that, if the road is built and a new car park is not included in the plan, motorists will simply bypass Bedale.

She said: “If we do not have a car park, close to the bypass, within 300m of the shops, then people will just bypass Bedale completely.

“Our concern is that, if the bypass is built, but the car park is not, then it will turn Bedale into a ghost town.

Ms Rose says that, even without a bypass, there is an argument for a new car park to be built in the town.

She said: “We need better parking for coaches and motor homes.

“The gateway car park would really improve our facilities for tourists, even if we did not get the bypass.”

The county council is engaged in a consultation process over the multi-million pound A684 Bedale, Aiskew and Leeming Bar bypass project.

Construction would be dependent on completion of the A1(M) upgrade and obtaining the necessary funding.

It is hoped that building work, which would last two years, could start in 2012.