It may have been a big week for Roger Federer, the Williams sisters and any tennis fan worldwide, but that should not distract from the improvements made to the Otley transport situation, with big steps being taken sorting out the bus routes and the parking spaces in the town.

Many of you may have been shocked by the news in May that the bus operator First was cutting its route from Otley to Bradford, the 653.  This would have affected many Otley residents, especially those unable to make the journey by car.  Then, in June, Harrogate Coach Services announced that it would be taking over the route from Otley to Harrogate.  This was music to most of our ears, but there remained fears that the second half of the 653’s journey, from Harrogate to Bradford, would not be replaced.  At last, Bradford’s TLC Travel Ltd has stepped into the breach and will now replace that section of the journey.  The bus route from Otley to Bradford has been saved.

The other big stride for Otley transport was taken in tackling the serious parking shortages in our town.  Leeds City Council has been devising methods of lessening the tribulations of those looking for one measly parking space in Otley, and people are being urged to give their own opinions on the best way forward.

Some may think that the progress made in these two areas pales in comparison to the glitz and glamour of Wimbledon, but those people miss what it is really important in life: making one’s home town as good as it can be.

These stories were reported in the Wharfedale Observer, here and here.