RESIDENTS have called for rail services to be improved to tackle transport problems in two towns.

North Yorkshire County Council has carried out a major study on the future of transport in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The authority sent out 45,000 leaflets and questionnaires, but only 1,335 people responded.

Consultants for the survey said the three per cent response rate was a typical return for such a project.

Of those who did reply, 62 per cent agreed that the rail service through the towns needs improving.

Thirty-one per cent said action was needed on rail links for the Leeds-Harrogate-Knaresborough-York line.

The survey was part of plans to activate the integrated transport plan for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Mike Moore, the county council's environmental services director, is recommending councillors approve a range of measures backed by the public, including community transport schemes, company travel-to-work plans and new rail halts east of Knaresborough and at Bilton.

Councillors are also being asked to create a working group to map out a programme to deliver the improvements and back the current preferred route for a Harrogate and Knaresborough northern bypass.

They will discuss the plans at a meeting of the Harrogate area committee on Thursday.