Network Rail has announced work is underway on a £5 million project to link two quarries together.

The quarries, near Horton in Ribblesdale will be linked with the Settle to Carlisle railway line.

The move will help remove up to 16,000 lorry journeys from the local road network.

The project is being funded by Lafarge Tarmac.

For years, the company has been in discussion with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Craven District Council, local parish councils and residents to examine the ways in which materials from its Arcow and Dryrigg quarries could be removed by rail.

-- Advertisement --

A solution was found through the reinstatement of a rail connection linking Arcow to the main Settle to Carlisle line.

The link was originally removed from operational use in the 1960's.

Once reopened, the line will enable the transfer of materials by rail, removing thousands of lorry journeys from the Yorkshire Dale National Park each year.

Joelie Calderilli, Network Rail's scheme project manager, said: "This is a project which demonstrates the value of the railway to industry to move large amounts of material which is currently being transported by roads. Rail freight is better for the environment than road haulage and helps to remove thousands of vehicles from the road network.

"Work has already started and involves building a new railway embankment and installing all of the infrastructure to safely operate trains. Once completed, we will be connecting the new section to the mainline in late 2015."

A public information event will be held next week offering local people the chance to find out about the benefits of the investment.

It will take place on 14 July, at Friends Meeting House, Kirkgate between 4pm and 7:30pm.

(LM)