IT is somewhat ironic that as huge efforts are devoted to trying to make Keighley more attractive to visitors, one of the town's first ports of call for many is falling deeper and deeper into disrepair.

First impressions are vitally important.

So for rail travellers arriving in the town to see a depressing, crumbling station does nothing for Keighley's image.

Over £1 million is set be pumped into promoting the town centre thanks to the Keighley Business Improvement District.

Keighley in Bloom is doing wonderful things to brighten the town, for locals and visitors alike.

We have an acclaimed, modern bus station.

Around £7 million of improvements are in the pipeline for one of our main highways.

Then we have the railway station, where we're told the bill for renovations has soared virtually three-fold to over £1 million and nothing will be done until at least 2019.

Rail bosses have a lot to answer for.

Why has what is potentially such an impressive station been allowed to decay?

What has happened to maintenance?

Much is made of trying to encourage people to use public transport. Allowing vital facilities to become decrepit does nothing for the cause.

Network Rail could learn a valuable lesson from its volunteer neighbours on the Worth Valley line.