Plans for new town centre as garrison grows

TWO STUDIES have been launched which could see a new town centre created in North Yorkshire as part of the expansion of Catterick Garrison.

Troop numbers at Catterick Garrison, which is already the largest Army base in the UK, are expected to rise by more than 50 per cent by 2031, under plans for a major expansion of the barracks. Once the expansion plans are completed, Catterick will also become one of the largest settlements in North Yorkshire.

Richmondshire District Council is working with the Ministry of Defence on plans to deliver a modern centre for Catterick.

David Kerfoot, who chairs the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which aims to promote economic growth in the county, said the linking of Catterick town centre to the growing Garrison base was “an exciting opportunity”.

PONTEFRACT: Plans have been announced for disabled access at a railway station.

Pontefract Monkhill Station’s Platform 1 has only ever been accessible via steps. Plans to install lifts have now been put forward and the work is expected to be completed in 2022. Wheelchair user and passenger Damon Nicholson, 32, said: “All I can say is it’s about time.”