ANGER has been voiced over continued delays to a long-awaited facelift of Keighley's railway station.

Funding of £9 million has been 'ringfenced' for desperately-needed renovations to the historic building.

But the much-promised work, first mooted years ago, is still to go ahead.

The major refurbishment is due to include renovations to the canopies at the front of the Bradford Road building, as well as extensive roof repairs and other structural work to the rest of the station.

Amongst those pressing for urgent answers and action is the town's MP, Robbie Moore.

He says the station is a "key gateway" to Keighley and improvements are long overdue.

Mr Moore has met with representatives of Network Rail and Northern to discuss the planned project – and is calling on both organisations to "get on with it".

"I was informed that the work would be completed during 2022 but the scheme – backed by ringfenced funding of £9 million – has not yet commenced," he says.

"Plans to renew and refurbish key elements of the station have been in the pipeline for far too long. It is incredibly frustrating that no works have yet started.

"At the meeting I made it very clear that Network Rail and Northern need to get on with it, making sure that these important improvement works get under way as soon as possible.

"I am fed up of funds being allocated for projects but delivery being constantly delayed.

"I'll be monitoring this scheme's progression very closely."

Town mayor, Councillor Luke Maunsell, is also pushing for progress on the refurbishment.

He says: "I urge Network Rail and Northern to get moving on this.

"The station needs some TLC to bring it up to scratch – and it is what Keighley deserves."

Northern says it is "working hard" with partners to establish a start date for the scheme.

Tony Baxter, the company's regional director, says: "A total of £9,000,000 of improvement work has been confirmed for Keighley station.

"We are working hard with our partners to confirm a start date, and colleagues from Northern have met with the local MP to discuss the scheme."

And a Network Rail spokesperson says: "It was great to meet with Robbie Moore and we appreciate how much this important project means to the community and to passengers. The plans to repair and refurbish Keighley station are in development now and we’re doing all we can to see this complex work delivered in the least disruptive, most cost effective way."

The original Keighley railway station was opened in 1847 and the present one dates from 1883.

Three years ago, rail chiefs said that an extensive refurbishment scheme had been drawn up for the historic site.

And the completion date predicted at that time was March, 2021.

Network Rail said the improvements would benefit passengers and other station users.

The station was used by around 1.7 million passengers a year.

When outlining its proposals, Network Rail said work at the site would include a facelift for the forecourt entrance canopy and footbridge, improvements to the access ramps and resurfacing of both the platforms.