⚠️ Archived Content
This page relates to the 2019–2024 National Park Management Plan, which is now archived. For the latest aims and objectives, please visit the 2025–30 Management Plan landing page.
Create a railhead at Horton Quarry and continue other measures to reduce road haulage limits from quarries by 50% compared to 2011.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: Overall, combined road haulage levels in 2024 were 1,712,500 tonnes, equivalent to a 38% reduction compared to 2011. Planning permission was granted for a new railhead at Horton Quarry in 2022. Construction work has been completed and the railhead is on course to be operational from Autumn 2025.
Press releases & related articles:
Rationale: Road haulage is generally agreed to be the most harmful remaining impact of the 5 large aggregate quarries in the National Park. Good progress has previously been made through Tarmac installing a new rail siding in 2016 to serve Arcow and Dry Rigg quarries – reducing road haulage in Ribblesdale by 35%. Significant opportunities remain at Horton Quarry, which has permission to operate until 2042.
Supporting partners: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; Freight Quality Partnership; North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council; Lancashire County Council;
Further information: n/a
Cost over 5 years: n/a
Funding shortfall: n/a
Ecosystem services: Tranquillity; Climate regulation
Trade-offs: Creation of a new railhead will have some short- and long-term impacts on the landscape. These impacts will be minimised and mitigated through application of the range of policies set out in the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan.
Baseline: 2011 annual road haulage limit = 2.75 m tonnes. 2017 limit was £2.3 m tonnes