Dales public transport boost

A NEW campaign has been launched to encourage tourists to use extra public transport facilities when visiting the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The new travel opportunities between centres of population and the National Park include a sustainable local bus service called Cravenlink and will tie in with a special programme of easy, guided walks and visits called 'Sharing the Dales'.

The events - which will run in different parts of the National Park from now to early November - are specially designed to welcome and encourage visitors, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, who may not be regular users of the National Park to enjoy some of its special qualities, as well as the health-giving benefits of a day in the countryside.

All the walks - which vary from a wild herbs trail to a strenuous climb - and most of the events will be free, although, in some cases like an afternoon at a farm and a steam train trip, a charge will be payable.

Cravenlink and Sharing the Dales have been developed by the Yorkshire Dales Society (YDS) in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group and with support from the National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund, which is administered by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

Keighley and Ilkley MP Ann Cryer led the first walk at Bolton Abbey this past Sunday and was joined by members of the three organisations and by representatives from the national Mosaic Partnership - a national project designed to encourage members of minority ethnic communities to experience National Parks.

Cars are now a major source of pollution and congestion in the Yorkshire Dales

Ann Cryer - Keighley MP

Mrs Cryer, who travelled from her home in Shipley by train and the new Cravenlink bus, said: "It is vital for the health and well-being of people in our towns and cities that good, affordable weekend public transport is available to enable city dwellers to reach the National Park without a car.

"Cars are now a major source of pollution and congestion in the Yorkshire Dales. We must ensure alternative ways of reaching the Dales are made available and that people are encouraged to use them."

The Cravenlink 784/884 bus service connects with regular bus and train services to and from West Yorkshire at Ilkley and Skipton bus and train stations, providing easy access into Wharfedale. It runs to the popular villages of Embsay and Bolton Abbey, making it easy to get into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Starting on 20 May the occasional Dales Experience Bus 814 from Huddersfield, Bradford, Ilkley and Skipton will run direct to the picturesque Dales village of Malham.

Walks and events will take place every Sunday and Bank Holiday until early November, and full details of the programme and the new Cravenlink bus service can be obtained from the Yorkshire Dales Society on 01929 825600 or by visiting www.dalesbus.org/cravenlink.