⚠️ 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.
Support the development of rail services and related economic uses along the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Railway, and measures to re-instate other lines to and within the National Park, including the reinstatement of the Wensleydale Railway to Garsdale, starting with the stretch from Redmire to Aysgarth by 2024.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: No significant progress to date. However, the announcement of a new Explorer weekend service from Rochdale/Manchester to Ribblehead last year was a positive step.
Press Releases & related articles:
6 June 2024 – New Yorkshire Dales Explorer rail service launched
Rationale: The Leeds-Settle-Carlisle railway is the only part of the national transport infrastructure located within the Park. It provides a sustainable and enjoyable journey connecting visitors to the Park and residents to major service centres and growth areas elsewhere. It has the potential to support more visitor journeys into the Park and more commuter journeys for residents. The former Wensleydale Railway route is also a potential economic, visitor and public transport corridor. Wensleydale Railway PLC has stated its ambition to reach Castle Bolton, and to work with landowners to connect Aysgarth to Redmire. The Department for Transport and Transport for the North commissioned a study to consider the feasibility and value of re-opening the Colne-Skipton Line – now waiting on an engineering study – which would open up access to a southern gateway into the National Park from Manchester and East Lancashire.
Lead partners: Network Rail; Wensleydale Railway; Northern Railway;
Supporting partners: Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership; Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company; Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership; North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council; Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; Lancaster & Skipton Rail User Group;
Further information: Wensleydale Railway;
Cost over 5 years: £13,000,000 (Wensleydale Railway)
Funding shortfall: £10,000,000
Related objectives: B4; D4; E2; E3; E6; F3; F7
Ecosystem services: Recreation; Sense of place and inspiration; Sense of history
Trade-offs: Reinstatement of the Wensleydale Railway, and additional economic development activity along the Settle-Carlisle corridor, could potentially have impacts on tranquillity (A2); important historical sites (A6); and wildlife (C2). These impacts would be assessed, managed or mitigated through policies set out in the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan
Baseline: Timetable as at January 2019 (ie. number of passenger services each way, per day and commentary on their usefulness to residents and visitors). Wensleydale Railway currently open from Northallerton to Redmire.