A £1m revamp for Bedale rail station has been given the green light.

Councillors' initial concerns about safety have been addressed with a plan for a footbridge over Bedale beck.

At last week's meeting of Hambleton's development control committee, members agreed a council plan to reopen the station to passenger trains run by Wensleydale Railway and create workshop and exhibition space in other buildings at the site.

A decision had been deferred in April because councillors felt there were highways issues to be resolved.

Concerns were mainly about plans for a footpath by reducing the width of the busy A684.

Members have now been told a footbridge - just below the road bridge - is to be built for pedestrians and cyclists.

Planning officer Tim Wood said no details of the bridge scheme were available.

But he added: "All the issues giving concern have now been addressed."

Coun David Smith was worried about disabled access, but Mr Wood said provision could be made for this.

Development of the railway station is essential to the Wensleydale Railway's progress in re-introducing passenger services on the line.

The proposals include the development of workshops for craft-based businesses, as well as a 120-seat conference and exhibition hall, in buildings in the yard.