10.07.15
NR starts work to reinstate rail link to Arcow and Dry Rigg quarries
Network Rail is starting work to reinstate a rail link to two quarries near Horton in Ribblesdale with the Settle to Carlisle railway line, a move which will help remove up to 16,000 lorry journeys from the local road network.
Lafarge Tarmac, which is funding the £5m project, has been in discussion for a number of years 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 Dry Rigg quarries could be moved by rail.
Working with Network Rail, a solution was found through the reinstatement of a rail connection linking Arcow to the main Settle to Carlisle line, which was originally removed from operational use in the 1960s.
It is expected that once reopened, the link will enable the transfer of materials by rail, removing thousands of lorry journeys from the Yorkshire Dales National Park each year.
Joelle Calderelli, 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.”
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(Image of Arcow quarry: c. Lynne Kirton)