A railway station at the centre of safety fears is to be transformed.

Organisers say Honley Station will become the ‘most attractive’ on the Penistone Line between Huddersfield and Sheffield, and new facilities will be introduced to make it safer for waiting passengers.

It emerged recently that a youngster had a dramatic escape when he was standing so close to the line that the rucksack on his back was hit by a passing train.

The boy wasn’t seriously hurt, but the train driver initially feared the pupil may have been dragged under the train in the incident.

A number of pupils from Honley High School catch trains home at the end of each school day and train users say there is little room on the narrow platform, especially when large numbers of passengers are waiting.

The Huddersfield Penistone and Sheffield Rail Users Association has been calling for improvements, and now the station is set to be transformed.

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A project team comprising representatives from Honley High School. Northern Rail, Network Rail, The Penistone Line Partnership, One 17 Architects and Interior Designers of Armitage Bridge, and The Rotary Club of Holmfirth are proposing to upgrade the facilities.

Plans include opening up currently disused rooms at the station to provide waiting areas, and accommodation will be used as a meeting room for community use.

Disabled access will also be included as well as real time train information and a ticket purchase machine.

Honley station.

Honley High School will provide artwork to enhance the environment, including a currently disused and overgrown platform.

Plans have been drawn up with funding from the Designated Community Rail Development Fund, Holmfirth Rotary Club and Honley High School, and it is hoped these will unlock further funding to pay for the work.

Gordon Minogue, a teacher at Honley High School involved with the project, said: “Once the funding is secured we will provide a safer, more attractive place for all railway users. The school is committed to creating positive links with the community and this improvement project is a fantastic opportunity.”

The project will be launched formally by Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney , who lives in Honley.