^{Consultation has begun on a review of conservation area status for the famous Settle/Carlisle Railway.
The designation to help preserve and enhance the character or appearance of an area of special architectural interest was first given to the line in 1991.
Stuart Parsons, the YDNPA’s Member Champion for Conservation of Cultural Heritage, said: “Every conservation area has a distinctive character that has been shaped over time by its natural and man-made surroundings.
“This appraisal is an opportunity to re-assess the railway line and to evaluate and record its special interest. It sets out how this most unusual conservation area has evolved and identifies the key elements of its character and quality, as well as defining what is positive and negative, and looking at ways it can be managed for the better in the future.”
Robert White, the Authority’s Senior Conservation Archaeologist, said: “We are now looking for comments and suggestions from the individuals and groups that live in the former railway cottages and who use the railway line and, of course, from other stakeholders such as Network Rail, who own much of it, and the voluntary groups who do so much to promote it.
“We want to hear how they think it can be best looked after so its character is there for future generations.”
The appraisal document can be viewed on the YDNPA website at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/careview-settlecarlislerailway-full.pdf along with an on-line questionnaire.

Background
The Settle and Carlisle Railway stretches for 72 miles and was designated a conservation area as a result of a collaborative effort between the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and three district councils. It is believed to be the longest conservation area in the country.
It was the last main line railway to be built in the nineteenth century and the last in Britain to be mainly built by manual labour. The station buildings, railway workers’ cottages and other structures were all architect-designed in the Midland Railway Company’s house style and provide a distinct contrast to the vernacular architecture of the Yorkshire Dales.
The difficult terrain the line runs through required major engineering work to provide a high-speed line – cuttings, embankments, bridges, tunnels, and viaducts, as well as the diversion of streams to cross both over and under the line.
The most famous structure is the iconic, 24-arched Ribblehead viaduct, a Grade II* Listed building mainly built of locally-quarried stone that is surrounded by the remains of a large construction camp – a scheduled monument.
Although there are very few contemporary photographs, contemporary documents such as the 1871 census and press reports provide an indication of life constructing the railway.
The Ribblehead camp was the largest settlement on the line and contained most of the civic, commercial and social facilities such as the hospital, post office, public library, mission house, day and Sunday schools, shops and public houses.
The area also contained the Midland Railway Company's offices, yards, stables, and storeroom. The occupations recorded in the census reflect the varied makeup of the settlement and, in addition to railway labourers and their families, included professionals such as the schoolmistress and missionary, commercial traders such as butchers, bakers, grocers and innkeepers, as well as clerks, carpenters, sawyers, blacksmiths and store men who were employed by the railway company.
Newspaper articles tell of the drinking, fights and accidental deaths that accompanied the construction of the railway.
The camp is one of the best preserved and probably the most accessible construction camp in the country and is scheduled as an ancient monument. It was the first construction camp in the UK to be archaeologically surveyed. More recently another camp on the line at Risehill Tunnel has featured on the Channel 4 Time Team programme.}

A £1.4m THINK! campaign to highlight the devastating consequences of speeding for drivers as well as victims has started.

The campaign’s message is that if you kill someone while speeding you will be tormented by it forever. In the television advert a driver is haunted by images of the child he has killed - seeing his body in the bathroom mirror, through the window of a bus and when in the park with his son.

Paul Clark, Road Safety Minister, said:

"Speed kills. Nearly 600 people were killed in 2008 in accidents where someone was driving too fast.

“This campaign highlights the consequences of speeding for the driver involved: what is life like for the driver who kills because they are in a rush to get home and how does that split second decision affect the rest of their life? I hope this campaign will get drivers to kill their speed before it’s too late.”

The THINK! campaign - 'Kill your speed, or live with it' - includes TV, radio, and cinema advertising.

The radio adverts - ‘Always There’ – feature a chilling message from ‘beyond the grave’. Children’s voices describe what life is like for the driver who killed them while speeding several years ago. The drivers cannot sleep, watch a football match or spend time with their own children without thinking of the dead child.

The 'Kill your speed, or live with it' campaign first ran in February 2009 and is just one of the Government’s initiatives to further cut the number of people killed or injured on Britain’s roads. In addition, the Department for Transport has recently announced an independent review of the law on drink and drug driving. For both drink and drugs, the study will also consider the likely impacts of any changes on driver behaviour, and the practical steps needed to support the introduction of any new or revised offence.

Tips for Businesses on New Cycling Route

Two workshops are being held to help local businesses prepare for a new cycle route which will pass through the area.

The Way of the Roses is an 180-mile route being developed by a partnership of organisations led by cycling charity Sustrans and is due to open in June.

It will run from Morecambe to Bridlington and will pass through Low and High Bentham, Clapham, Austwick, Settle, Airton and Appletreewick.

The workshops, hosted by Craven District Council, will take place at Bentham Town Hall on Tuesday, January 26 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and at Victoria Hall, Settle, on Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

District Councillor Richard Foster, Lead Member for developing and strengthening Craven’s economy, said: “Sustrans cycle routes are incredibly popular and this new route should bring many more tourists into Craven. Users of the route will require all sorts of facilities such as accommodation, refreshments, cycle store, cycle hire/repairs, luggage transfer, etc.

“The workshops give local businesses the chance to hear about how they could make the most of the new route.”

For information or to book a place, call Lynn Whitaker on 01756 747629, or email lwhitaker@cravendc.gov.uk.

Bus Service News

Winter DalesBus Services

Most DalesBus services operate to the same timetable all-year round, but a number of Sunday services operate seasonal timetables. Winter timetables are now running on these routes:

Nidderdale Rambler 825: Harrogate to Brimham Rocks, Pateley Bridge and Upper Nidderdale

The Nidderdale Rambler runs once a month for the Winter, running on Sundays 1st November, 6th December 2009, 3rd January, 7th February, 7th March and 4th April 2010. The winter timetable is similar to the summer timetable, except that the service finishes an hour earlier - with the last bus from Upper Nidderdale leaving Middlesmoor at 1555, running to Pateley Bridge and Harrogate.

DalesBus 850: Bradford - Shipley - Ilkley

This service also runs once a month for the Winter, on Sundays 15th November, 27th December 2009, 17th January, 21st February and 21st March 2010, connecting with DalesBus service 883 to Malham and DalesBus service 874 to Buckden. There are minor timetable changes, with the morning bus now leaving Bradford Interchange at 0930 and picking up at all bus stops to Ilkley.

Cravenlink 883/884: Ilkley - Bolton Abbey - Skipton
Cravenlink 883/884: Ilkley - Skipton - Malham

The timetable between Ilkley and Skipton is largely unchanged, but please check the timetable carefully for minor amendments from 25th October 2009 with the introduction of the winter timetable. The 0915 departure from Ilkley runs direct to Skipton to connect with the Settle-Carlisle train at Skipton Station, replacing service 890 which doesn't run in the Winter months. The previous 1815 departure from Ilkley now runs 30 minutes earlier at 1745.
On Sundays 15th November, 27th December 2009, 17th January, 21st February and 21st March 2010 the Cravenlink service extends to Gargrave and Malham, at similar times to the summer timetable.

DalesBus 870: Wakefield - Leeds - Otley - Ilkley
DalesBus 874: Ilkley - Grassington - Buckden

These services continue every Sunday all year-round, with only very minor changes to the timetable.

Click here to download DalesBus Winter 2009-10 Timetable - (approx 800KB PDF file). Click here for updates.

OAP's from throughout England benefit from free travel in the Dales

Senior citizens from throughout England are entitled to free local off-peak bus travel from 1st April 2008. In order to benefit from the new entitlement anyone aged 60 or over needs a new style concessionary pass.

Concessionary free travel will generally be available anywhere in England, including all the Dales area, between 0930 and 2300 on Mondays to Fridays, and at anytime on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Passes may also be used at anytime for journeys starting within the Craven District Council area, and from 0900 onwards on any journey starting within North Yorkshire or the City of York.

Passes may also be used on the following journeys:

0740 Pateley Bridge to Harrogate (service 24)
0715 Gunnerside to Richmond (service 30)
0840 Reeth to Richmond (service 30)

The new scheme makes travel to the Yorkshire Dales more affordable for many people, particularly those living in West Yorkshire or Lancashire. All local bus services are part of the scheme, including cross-boundary services which were previously excluded such as Yorkshire Coastliner and Pride of the Dales routes.

Opportunities to visit the Dales now include:

Catch service 36 bus from Leeds to Harrogate, then change to service 24 to Pateley Bridge (daily)
Catch service 36 bus from Leeds to Ripon, then change to service 159 to Masham, Leyburn and Richmond (Mondays to Saturdays)
Catch service X84 bus from Leeds to Ilkley, for buses to Bolton Abbey and Grassington (service 74 on Mondays to Saturdays; service 874 on Sundays and Bank Holidays)
Catch service 215 from Burnley to Skipton, then change to bus 72 (Mondays to Saturdays) or 66A (Sundays and Bank Holidays) to Grassington
Catch service 280/X80 bus from Preston or Clitheroe to Skipton, then change to bus 72 (Mondays to Saturdays) or 66A (Sundays and Bank Holidays) to Grassington
Catch service 66 bus from Keighley to Skipton, then change to service X59 to Bolton Bridge or Blubberhouses (Mondays to Saturdays)
Catch service 770 from Wetherby to Harrogate, then change to bus X59 to Bolton Bridge and Skipton (Mondays to Saturdays)

If you have a new-style OAP pass issued anywhere in England, don't forget to bring it with you when you visit the Dales, so you can take advantage of free travel on the local buses.

Cycling News

Skipton Station to be a Cycle Hub

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis today launched a major £14m package to transform facilities for cyclists at rail stations and encourage healthier, greener travel, including measures in the Yorkshire Dales area at: Skipton, Ilkley, Settle Horton in Ribblesdale and Ribblehead Stations.

Over the next two years a series of measures, including 'Cycle Hubs' at 10 major rail stations and 10,000 extra cycle parking spaces across the country will be introduced by Government, Network Rail, Cycling England and train operators. The new cycle hubs will include extra cycle storage facilities, repair services, hire schemes and improved cycle access to and from the stations.

The projects announced today include:

- £5m for fully supervised cycle hubs, offering a range of facilities for cyclists including secure covered parking, cycle hire, information, retail and repair at 10 stations. These include Leeds station (which will be completed by May next year) and London St Pancras, London Victoria, London Waterloo, Grimsby, Hull, Liverpool Lime Street, Scunthorpe, Sheffield and York (all to be opened within the next 2 years).

- £3m for over 4500 additional cycle park spaces at nearly 350 stations across the country, including Nottingham, Stevenage, Cambridge, Exeter, Scarborough, Sunderland, Barrow-in-Furness, Crewe and Middlesbrough.

- £4m from Cycling England for four Train Operating Companies - Merseyrail, Northern Rail, South West Trains and Virgin Trains - to transform the cycling facilities up and down their network to become flagship 'Bike 'n' Ride' train operating companies.

- £2m which will improve cycle access at rail stations to ensure that bike users can get to and from the station conveniently and safely, and to improve cycle facilities across the rail network as opportunities are identified.

Andrew Adonis said:

"More and more people are turning to cycling as a healthy, green and convenient way to travel - I want to encourage this choice.

"Although half of us own a bike and 60% live just 15 minutes from a train station, only 2% of train passengers travel to the station by bike. This is in contrast to Holland where cycling accounts for a third of all trips to and from the station.

"The aim of the programmes announced today is to boost the significant number of people cycling to catch their train. This will tackle congestion, promote rail travel and help people develop healthier lifestyles and protect the environment."

This announcement follows the Government's commitment in June for £5m to be spent over the next two years to improve cycle storage facilities at up to ten major railway stations nationwide, including in London. Due to the quality of the response to this announcement, the funding has now been doubled to £10m.

The announcement of the 'Bike 'n' Ride' operating companies takes forward the recommendation from the Cycle Rail Task Force as a way to improve bike and rail integration.

In Yorkshire this will include:

Northern Rail's plans for the Cyclepoint facility at Leeds Station by extending fully supervised storage facilities with a range of opportunities for cycle retail and repair to a further 10 stations.

Transforming Skipton Station into a cycle gateway to the Yorkshire Dales as well improving the signage for cycling commuters and visitors to and from the station.

Walking News

Winter Guided Walks

A varied programme of free guided walks, all accessible by public transport, is on offer in the Yorkshire Dales every Sunday during the Winter months.

The walks are organised by Dalesbus Ramblers, and are designed to have easy connections with weekend DalesBus services. The walks vary in length from around 4 to 10 miles, and vary from easy to strenuous.

Full details of the walks are available online at www.dalesbusramblers.org.uk.

There are also many other guided walks available in the Yorkshire Dales area, including a varied programme organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority themselves. Many of these walks are also accessible by public transport. For further information visit the Yorkshire Dales Events Guide.

Other News

OFT Refers Buses Market to Competition Commission

^{OFT REFERS BUSES MARKET TO COMPETITION COMMISSION
Competition Commission invites evidence Following the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) decision to refer the UK local bus market to the Competition Commission (CC) for investigation, the CC is inviting evidence from all interested parties.
This market reference follows an initial OFT study into the sector and public consultation. The CC will now carry out its own comprehensive investigation, to see if any features of this market prevent, restrict or distort competition and, if so, what action might be taken to remedy these.
The CC will now appoint members to its inquiry group and will then publish a draft timetable for the inquiry. The first task for the group will be to gather evidence by contacting all involved parties and by advertising for submissions from any other interested groups or individuals.
The CC is required to report by 6 January 2012.
The CC would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by 18 February 2010. To submit evidence, please email buses@cc.gsi.gov.uk or write to:
David Fowlis
Inquiry Manager
Competition Commission
Victoria House
Southampton Row
LONDON
WC1B 4AD
For further background information see http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2010/01-10}

Friends of the Three Peaks go online

^{Lovers of the Yorkshire Dales now have the chance to help preserve its famous Three Peaks online.
In August, Calendar Girl Angela Baker became the first person to join a new group formed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) to support and raise money towards the maintenance of the footpath network around Whernside, Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough.
Now visitors to the Authority’s website at www.yorkshiredales.co.uk can fill in an application form and, for a minimum annual donation of £10, can join the Friends of the Three Peaks from the comfort of their own home.
And a range merchandise to celebrate walking one, two or all three of the peaks is now available in the online shop.
Three Peaks Project Manager Steve Hastie said several people have already taken advantage of the online facility to be found at www.nationalparks.gov.uk/yd_shop/products.asp?recnumber=284 and two had decided to donate £25 for the membership fee.
“It’s a great start to a new service that we hope will encourage more people to help us to protect and conserve this fragile area, which receives about 250,000 visitors a year and, in 1986, was judged to have the most severely eroded footpath network in the UK,” he said.
“The number of members is steadily rising and we hope that, by opening it up to as many people as possible online, we will get more people interested in giving
their support.”
The aim of the group is to give individuals or organisations the chance to commit to longer-term support for the Authority’s work in the area. The annual donations will be ring-fenced for work in the Three Peaks area and will help fund an extra ranger, whose main job is to be out on the fells keeping the busy paths in good order.
Another aspect of the three-year project is to encourage charities that stage sponsored walks on the Three Peaks to give their support and donations and to involve local individuals, groups and businesses.
Earlier this month, building materials giant Lafarge made the first donation of materials in the shape of 120 tonnes of gritstone to repair a section of path.
Friends will receive regular newsletters and, as the membership grows, Steve plans to develop opportunities for people to get practically involved or to take part in Ranger-led walks. Sponsorship of sections of path or specific pieces of work is another option being looked at.
There are now several ways of becoming a Friend. As well as the online application, you can log on to the YDNPA website at http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/friends_of_the_three_peaks_membership_form.doc and complete the form before returning it to Friends of the Three Peaks c/o Josie Simpson, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5LB along with a cheque made payable to ‘Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’ and marked on the reverse ‘Friends of the Three Peaks’.
Alternatively, you can visit a National Park Centre and give an Advisor the completed form and membership fee in cash or cheque.
If you have any questions about the Three Peaks Project or about the Friends of the Three Peaks, please contact Steve Hastie, the Three Peaks Project Manager, on 01729 825242 or on his mobile 07818 048767 or email him at threepeaksproject@yorkshiredales.org.uk.}

Clearer forecasts for the Dales from the Met Office

^{A new area weather forecast for the Yorkshire Dales will provide hill walkers with clearer information to help keep them safer, whilst making the most of the spectacular countryside.
For the first time Met Office forecasts will be provided for the Yorkshire Dales National Park in addition to comprehensive forecasts already provided for the Brecon Beacons, Peak District, Snowdonia, Lake District, and West and East Highlands.
The forecasts include a colour coded hazards forecast to highlight key risks on the mountains, details on the risk of precipitation, and the latest synoptic chart. The forecasts will be updated twice a day to give users the latest information on the expected conditions in the mountains.
Mark Allum, Access Projects Officer at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said “The Yorkshire Dales is a fantastic area for outdoor activities; and whether you are a hill walker, caver or mountain biker an accurate forecast is a critical piece of information. The weather in the Dales is often very different to what is happening in Leeds or York, so this specific mountain weather forecast is very welcome.”
Pat Boyle, Public Weather Service Manager at the Met Office, said: “The weather in the Dales can change with little or no warning and an unprepared walker can quickly find themselves at risk. Whether it’s a well-planned expedition or a spur of the moment decision to go to the hills, it is important to check the forecast first”.}

Archive News

For details of archive news stories click Archive News

Wensleydale Railway Special Operating Day

The Wensleydale Railway will operate a special service on 21st February 2010, supporting Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion.

Trains will operate between Leeming Bar and Redmire, over 17 miles of line though an area of outstanding natural beauty. There's an opportunity to visit the market towns of Bedale and Leyburn, or take in the history of Bolton Castle at Redmire. Whether it is stunning views, vintage transport, walks or quaint market towns, this is a great day out for everyone!

Click here for details and timetable (PDF file).

Special Winter Offer on Scenic Rail Journeys

MetroCard and Metro-issued English National Concessionary Pass (ENCP) holders can take England's most scenic railway journey for just £8 this winter, saving up to £18.20 with a special day-return offer.

The Settle-Carlisle Railway is arguably England’s most scenic railway journey travelling through spectacular Yorkshire Dales and North Pennine hills countryside. The train journey crosses 20 major viaducts, runs through 14 tunnels and links many picturesque towns and villages. Travel the complete route from Leeds or Bradford Forster Square to Carlisle. In good weather you will see the ‘Three Peaks’ and the famous Ribblehead Viaduct. Or take the route less travelled through Lancaster to Morecambe and enjoy the views of northern Bowland and coastal walks.

The offer is valid for a day-return journey on the Leeds/Bradford Forster Square - Settle/Carlisle, or Leeds/Bradford Forster Square - Lancaster/Morecambe lines.

MetroCard holders can travel any day of the week including weekends.

People with a Metro-issued English National Concessionary Pass can take advantage of this offer Monday to Friday, and can use their pass to travel on the 0819 Leeds – Morecambe or the 0849 Leeds to Carlisle trains. However any other travel before 9.30am to connect with this offer will be charged at full fare.

You must purchase your tickets before you travel when boarding at a staffed station. You can buy tickets in advance, but you cannot reserve seats.

This offer is valid between Monday 2nd November 2009 and Friday 12th February 2010. Trains do not run on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The offer is available to holders of:

Weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual Bus and Rail (any zone, including Rail Cards 6 & 7) or Bus-only MetroCards
Weekly or monthly Student Plus MetroCards
All Metro-issued English National Concessionary Passes (ENCP)

See the special winter offer leaflet for further details (950k PDF file).

North Yorkshire Winter Gritting for 13th Jan 2009

^{There has been snow on high ground overnight, and across the county sleet and freezing rain have led to very icy conditions on the roads. Most main roads are clear but driving conditions on more minor roads are likely to be difficult.
Temporary changes are being made to the winter highways maintenance programme in North Yorkshire as a result of the Government's restrictions on the use of gritting salt. Some roads which were previously treated because they were graded as Priority Two routes will not be gritted while the restrictions apply.
But North Yorkshire County Council's Highways officials have pledged that village communities across the county will still have at least one access point to the highways network maintained in treated condition.
"The national reserves of salt for treating roads are heavily depleted and local authorities are under considerable pressure to conserve salt stocks," said Richard Flinton, Corporate Director for Business and Environmental Services.
"In North Yorkshire we have already taken action in response to this with salt currently only being applied to the Priority One and Priority Two roads and main town centre footways. We have stopped using salt on Priority Three routes and we are unable to refill salt bins except in exceptional circumstances. We will continue to plough Priority Three routes and to apply grit and sharp sand in particular situations.
"In order to conserve salt stocks further, the government has directed local authorities to reduce their route treatment by 25%. In response to this we are amending the Priority Two network so that one route into each village community is treated, instead of the multiple points of access which may have been treated up until now. "
Although a slow thaw has started, there are still expected to be occasions, particularly at night, when the temperature will fall below zero, allowing ice to form on untreated surfaces. Drivers are urged to take note of the amended priority routes and to take extra care while the current weather conditions continue.
Detailed maps of the updated gritting routes are available from our temporary gritting routes page.
Ends
13-01-10
Road closures, updated Wednesday 13th January, 2010
The following roads are closed/blocked due to the adverse weather conditions:
Richmond
B6270 Swaledale Head;
C32 Buttertubs;
C32 Fleet Moss;
C29 Tan Hill;
C30 The Stang;
C108 Robin Cross;
C38 Askrigg West Moor;
Many minor high level routes either blocked or only passable with care.
Skipton
B6160 North of Buckden passable with care;
Oughtershaw Road.
Whitby
C60 Blakey Bank / C20 Blakey to Castleton likely: to be closed until the end of the week;
Rosedale to Egton}

Wensleydale Railway End of Season

A diesel locomotive will haul trains on the Wensleydale Railway on Saturday 2nd January 2010, to mark the last day of the 2009 train-running season.

The first train from Leeming Bar is 09.50 (Bedale 09.56; Finghall 10.15; Leyburn 10.29; arrive Redmire 10.44), with the option of a 7 mile guided walk from Redmire (no need to book). Walks information available from Ruth Annison on 01969 650349.

Christmas & New Year Bus and Train Services

There will be alterations to bus and train services in the Yorkshire Dales area over the Christmas and New Year Holiday period.

Christmas Eve - Thursday 24th December

Most bus operators will run a Saturday service, with services finishing in the early evening.
Normal train services will operate until mid-evening.

Christmas Day and Boxing Day - 25th and 26th December

There will be no bus or train services in the Yorkshire Dales area.

Sunday 27th December

A normal Sunday timetable will operate on all bus and train services. Cravenlink service 850 will operate from Bradford, and services 883/884 will extend to Malham.

Monday 28th December

Buses will operate to a Sunday timetable, whilst trains will operate to a normal weekday timetable.

Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th December

Most buses will operate to a Saturday timetable, whilst trains will operate to a normal weekday timetable.

New Year's Eve - Thursday 31st December

Most bus operators will run a Saturday service, with services finishing in the early evening.
Normal train services will operate until mid-evening.

New Year's Day - Friday 1st January

The only bus services running will be Cravenlink services 883 and 884 between Ilkley and Skipton, starting with the 1020 journey from Skipton.
Normal train services will operate, apart from some early morning journeys which will not run.

Full details of holiday period services will be available from Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

New West Riding service

2010 will see Grand Central add a range of destinations to its growing network when it launches a brand new service from the West Riding of Yorkshire to London.

The ‘West Riding’ service will offer three return trains a day between Bradford Interchange and London King’s Cross.

The new service will operate via Halifax, Brighouse (for Huddersfield), Wakefield Kirkgate, Pontefract Monkhill and Doncaster; restoring direct rail links to London from these West Riding communities for the first time in many years and creating brand new journey opportunities for those who want to travel to Europe by rail, via the adjacent Eurostar station at St Pancras.

Our new acquired 125mph high quality trains will also offer improved connections for passengers travelling to the North of England or Scotland, via the major railway interchange at Doncaster.

Grand Central’s West Riding service will offer a range of simple and affordable fares that have already proven successful on our existing route between London, North Yorkshire and the Durham Coast

We are currently awaiting finalisation of the timetable for our West Riding services by Network Rail. Once this and other contractual arrangements have been agreed we will be in a position to announce the start date for our West Riding services so please bookmark this page.

Alternatively please sign up for our email or twitter updates for all the latest news on Grand Central’s West Riding services.

Grand Central’s West Riding services will operate on a fully commercial basis, without any Government subsidy or tax payer support.

More Rail+Bus Connections to Hawes

The times of the Hawes Village Bus service have been revised from 10th August 2009 to provide better connections with trains on the famous Leeds-Settle-Carlisle line at Garsdale Station. Click here for details of the new times (PDF file).

Stone donation for Three Peaks Project

^{Walkers will benefit from the first donation of materials to the new Three Peaks Project launched earlier this year by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).
The project aims to involve charities, organisations and individuals in helping to maintain and conserve the network of paths crossing the Ingleborough, Pen-y-gent and Whernside area, which has to cope with about 250,000 visitors a year.
The high number of walkers means the paths need more maintenance more frequently than many others in the National Park – and it can be very costly.
One way in which local businesses can help is to make donations in kind – and that’s exactly what building materials giant Lafarge has done by supplying and delivering 120 tonnes of gritstone.
It has been used to resurface part of a footpath leading from Clapham to Ingleborough, according to YDNPA Three Peaks Project Manager Steve Hastie.
The stone was flown by helicopter up to the section between Gaping Gill and Little Ingleborough and has been compacted to form a good walking surface on this popular path. Other work will include a section of reclaimed flagstones,
“This is the first donation of materials to the project and we are very grateful to Lafarge for it,” Steve said.
“The stone is part of the underlying geology of the hill so it’s great to be using something local.
“We have a very limited budget to pay for the huge annual maintenance bill for the footpath network and a donation like this means we can spend what we have on other vital work needed to look after this fragile area.
“We hope that, as the project grows, more and more local firms and communities will make donations, whether its materials, willing volunteers or money and by joining the friends of the Three Peaks.”
Lafarge Dry Rigg Quarry manager Mick Lambert said: "We were happy to help out as partners of the Three Peaks Project. It was a natural decision for us to be involved in this section of the project, as our quarry is situated so close to the Peaks.”}

Calendar Girl launches Friends of the Three Peaks

Calendar Girl Angela Baker has become the first person to join a new group aimed at helping to preserve Yorkshire’s beautiful Three Peaks.

Angela, who posed as Miss February in the famous Rylstone WI nude caIendar, joined guests and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) staff at a special event to mark the formation of the Friends of the Three Peaks.

Her husband John, whose death from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma sparked the fund-raising calendar for Leukaemia Research, worked for the YDNPA as an Assistant National Park Officer and started the first project to conserve the path network around Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

The Friends of the Three Peaks group is the latest phase in a new, three-year project to try to protect and conserve the area, which receives about 250,000 visitors a year and, in 1986, was judged to have the most severely eroded footpath network in the UK.

Speaking at the launch at the Station Inn in Ribblehead, Angela said: “John realised that there were so many people walking the Three Peaks and, if someone didn’t start doing something about it, the path network would be worn away and it wouldn’t be there for future generations.

“I think that, if people want to walk the Three Peaks, they should realise that the work the National Park Authority is doing is so important and that becoming a Friend is a fantastic way of helping – and doesn’t cost a lot. I really hope it takes off.”

Carl Lis, the YDNPA’s chairman, said: “The Three Peaks project aims to secure, in the long-term, the maintenance, enhancement and sustainable use of the area.

“While seeking capital support through grant applications, the project has, as a major outcome, the aim of engaging with those that visit the Three Peaks, as well as those who live or work in the area.

“We would like to create a sustainable source of both practical and financial support that will help protect and enhance the area and the rights of way network into the future.

“The Friends of the Three Peaks has been created to provide a mechanism for individuals or organisations to commit to longer-term support for our work in the area through annual donations. These will help fund an extra ranger, whose main job is to be out on the fells keeping the busy paths in good order.

“Any donation given to the project will be ring-fenced for work in the Three Peaks area. We will develop opportunities for people to get practically involved or to take part in Ranger-led walks. Sponsorship of sections of path or specific pieces of work are another option being looked at.”

Guests at the launch, which was preceded by organised walks up each of the hills, included representatives from the Three Peaks Race Association and from some of the charities that use the Three Peaks trail for sponsored walks and have offered to make their own donations to the project.

The project has also developed a range merchandise to celebrate walking one, two or all of the peaks and is building business and community interest in the Three Peaks.

The Friends of Three Peaks has an annual membership fee of £10, although you can pay more if you wish. As a ‘Friend’ you will receive regular newsletters, be able to go on Friends walks and have the opportunity of becoming involved in looking after the Three Peaks paths. It provides a way for people to put something back into the area.

Anyone wanting to become a Friend should log on to the YDNPA website at http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/friends_of_the_three_peaks_membership_form.doc and complete the form before returning it to Friends of the Three Peaks c/o Josie Simpson, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5LB along with a cheque made payable to ‘Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’ and marked on the reverse ‘Friends of the Three Peaks’.

Alternatively, you can visit a National Park Centre and give an Advisor the completed form and membership fee in cash or cheque.

If you have any questions about the Three Peaks Project or about the Friends of the Three Peaks, please contact Steve Hastie, the Three Peaks Project Manager, on 01729 825242 or on his mobile 07818 048767 or email him at threepeaksproject@yorkshiredales.org.uk.

MTB the Dales is back in business

At the end of 2008 the old www.mtbthedales.org.uk web site got hacked and in the end had to be taken down, leading to a break in service.

We are really pleased to be back in business with a more robust system which should stop future problems. We have also taken the opportunity for a bit of a revamp, given the site a new look and hopefully made the information easier to find. Best of all we now have the routes available for download. You can now access PDFs of the routes which contain a description and OS mapped guide for free. We are also looking to add downloadable files for Memory Map, Tracklogs and GPS users.

New opportunities for Dales businesses

^{Dales Business people will have the chance later this month (Nov 09) to learn
how to cash in on a project unfolding in the Yorkshire Dales National Park
A workshop is being organised by Natural England and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) to encourage new and existing businesses to take advantage of opportunities emerging as new sections of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail open in the Yorkshire Dales.
Malcolm Petyt, the YDNPA’s Member Champion for Recreational Management, said: “In the Yorkshire Dales, the Settle Loop, which opened in August 2005, has already proved very popular with visitors and is a taste of the high standard of national trail route to come. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular scenery, and businesses have already opened or expanded to service these visitors.
“Over the next two years, new sections of the Pennine Bridleway will be opening in the north of the National Park, providing a continuous route through it into Cumbria. These new and restored bridleways will provide fantastic opportunities for new businesses including the provision of accommodation and refreshments for riders, cyclists and walkers, stabling and horse box parking and baggage transport. "
“We would like to thank the landowners and farmers for their help in creating the route through the Dales. It provides a unique opportunity for local businesses to develop and diversify in line with the principles of sustainable tourism.”
The free workshop will take place at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes on the 25 November 2009. Speakers will focus on the new sections of the trail and explain how local businesses can start up or diversify to meet the needs of these new customers.
Advice will be available on users’ requirements, marketing, business start up, planning issues, funding and sustainable tourism.
Anna Righton, Natural England Pennine Bridleway Project Manager, said: “A series of short presentations and the opportunity to engage with the speakers on a one to one basis will provide local business people with a fantastic opportunity to learn more about sections of the Trail near to them, share ideas, network and consider the planning that might be required to develop their business.”
If you would like to attend the workshop please contact Sheila Ogden on 0300 060 1826.}

Progress on missing link of the Pennine Bridleway

Work is progressing on the latest phase of improvements to the Pennine Bridleway National Trail in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Pennine Bridleway is a new National Trail in the north of England, designed specifically for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers to enjoy.

This latest phase of work by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and Natural England will contribute to the 200 miles of bridleway running from Derbyshire through Yorkshire to Cumbria.

During this major work at Garsdale Station towards the northern border of the National Park, about 3.5 miles of track will be developed along existing and newly created public rights of way, drainage will be installed with minimal disturbance to the surrounding vegetation and landscape. This new section will be finished to recognised National Trail standards and suitable for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers.

Peter Lambert, the YDNPA Pennine Bridleway Project Officer, said the Authority had been working closely with local landowners and user groups.

“We have a unique opportunity to create a new section of bridleway through the magnificent Dales upland landscape. We are very grateful to the landowners, farmers and parish councils involved, for their help and co-operation which has been vital in getting the next phase off the ground.”

The newly created section will run from the Coal Road at Garsdale Station, across Dandry Mire to the Moorcock Inn, before heading across to Yorehouse and joining The Highway, a historic route which will lead users out to Mallerstang.

This new section will add to the 77.7km of Pennine Bridleway already completed across the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The trail enters the National Park at Long Preston, weaving through the Dales via Settle, Malham Moor, Feizor, Austwick, Selside, Newby Head and exiting at the Cumbria county boundary above Garsdale. Users will travel through some of the most outstanding scenery and wildlife habitats including the Ingleborough Complex Special Area for Conservation and Ingleborough National Nature Reserve.

By March 2010 the National Park Authority hopes to have 97 per cent of the route completed, with the remaining three per cent to be finished in 2011.

The Pennine Bridleway project is now actively seeking new accommodation providers along its route for humans and horses. There will be a Business Workshop in November to provide more detailed information.

The Pennine Bridleway is free to access and further information is available from www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway.

Byway Traffic Levels Buck the Trend

^{While official traffic levels have risen on rural roads by 14% in 2008, according to new government statistics, recent checks on traffic levels on parts of The National Byway indicate no change in the past five years.

A traffic audit during a cycle ride on 55 miles of Byway route in the popular Howardian Hills and Vale of York areas of North Yorkshire, carried out on a sunny summer's day, presents a different picture to that suggested by the Dept. for Transport.

A total count of 80 vehicles on the ride represents an average of less than 1.5 vehicles per mile - less than the Byway's national average of 2.0 per mile and identical to that measured five years ago on the same section of route. Meanwhile, 25 cyclists were encountered enjoying themselves in the summer sun along the way.

A simultaneous sign audit produced similarly encouraging figures, during review of the route section which was signposted five years ago. While there is inevitably some damage and occasional vandalism of Byway signs (estimated at 1% per year), only 2 of the 50 signs encountered along the way between Ampleforth and Boroughbridge had to be adjusted - both had been turned round by mischief-makers, while none were missing, damaged or defaced.

Other checks, carried out regularly on parts of the Midlands Byway route, indicate similar constant traffic levels and condition of signage, as well as an ever-increasing number of cyclists riding in the countryside. An official review system of traffic levels, signage and usage will be put in place next year when the Byway Ranger programme is established.

The traffic level and signage respect results obtained on the Yorkshire audit ride underline the viability and reality of The National Byway's 4,500-mile route round Britain.}

TV advertising campaign to tackle drug driving

The first national TV advertising campaign to tackle drug driving was launched by Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis today after new research showed that one in 10 young male drivers admit to driving after taking illegal drugs.

The new £2.3 million campaign highlights that the police can and will detect drug drivers - and that anyone convicted will face the same tough penalties as a drink driver. The first TV advert will be shown tonight before Coronation Street.

One in five drivers killed in road accidents may have an impairing drug in their system.

The police can spot the signs that someone is driving under the influence of drugs and - as the new campaign highlights - once a driver has been stopped their eyes will give them away because of the obvious and involuntary effects drugs have on the body. Anyone convicted of driving while unfit through drugs will get a minimum 12 months driving ban, a criminal record and a large fine.

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said:

"Government campaigns over the past 40 years have succeeded in making drink driving socially unacceptable and cutting the number of people killed in drink drive accidents by nearly three quarters.

"But some drivers who would never get behind the wheel after drinking still believe they can drive after taking drugs. We are determined to get the message through to this reckless minority that their behaviour is putting lives in danger.

"The penalties for drug driving are just the same as for drink driving because drug driving is just as dangerous. Drivers should be in no doubt that if you get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs then the police can spot you, they can test you and you will face punishment."

In addition police forces across the country will be targeting drug drivers throughout the August music festival and holiday season.

The new campaign also includes print, poster and on-line advertising as well as music festival and radio sponsorship.

Stop a Killer in the Dales this Summer

A new hard hitting campaign to stop drink drivers has been launched in North Yorkshire - backed by the Police, the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership and, the Black Sheep Brewery. The aim is to shake up people who may have been drinking and driving for years and getting away with it and to make younger drivers realise it's not an option.

People are being encouraged to "Shop a killer- Stop a killer" and give information about drink drivers to the police and Crimestoppers.

But with the credit crunch and so many pubs closing down campaigners are also keen to support local pubs, breweries and restaurants through the DESignated Driver campaign.

Since 2005, 26 people have died and 204 have been seriously injured because of drink driving. The figures are reducing but there is no room for complacency. There has been a slight increase in the number of positive breath tests in June compared to the same period last year.

Leaflets, posters and beer mats will be distributed throughout the County and a radio campaign is being run through the summer.

Anyone involved in a collision or who commits a traffic offence, however minor, or is suspected of having alcohol in their body will be breathalysed

Inspector Dave Brown, Head of Strategic Roads Policing said: "North Yorkshire Police will continue to remove the criminal driver from the roads at every opportunity.

"Drink driving messages are in danger of becoming repetitive and I don't want the motoring public to get blasé about this issue. We will act on every single piece of information the public give us to stop the minor element who still think the risk of being caught driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs is minimal. You could save a life – it really is that simple."

Paul Theakston, Managing Director of Black Sheep Brewery, said: "Black Sheep Brewery is keen to support the 95 Alive campaign to encourage responsible drinking habits. Customers visiting Black Sheep and other local pubs should be able to enjoy a drink but stay safe by not drink driving, by calling a taxi or by nominating a designated driver."

North Yorkhsire County Councillor John Fort, Executive Member for Road Safety said: "We want people to go out enjoy our wonderful countryside and visit the many excellent pubs and restaurants, but drink driving cannot be tolerated. It ruins lives, sometimes the drinker's, all too often it's an innocent victim who is killed or seriously injured. That's why it's so important people use DESignated drivers or get a taxi."

Million of users have now visited the Department for Transport's pioneering travel information and journey planning service, Transport Direct.

For five years the website has provided travellers with a unique guide to virtually all domestic transport on land, sea and air by drawing information from over 40 different sources each week.

It offers users the chance to tailor a journey to their own needs, by combining the content of up to eight different websites in one and plotting their route from door-to-door.

Transport Minister Paul Clark said:

"This website is about allowing the public to find a route that suits them best.

"People can see where to find a GP, make sure they get to their job interview on time, or plan a night out with friends.

"The versatility of Transport Direct is matched only by the scale and precision of its travel information - 96 per cent of users say they'd use it again."

The site, launched in December 2004, now attracts more than 25 million users each year - over eight times as many as it did in its first year.

Transport Direct Chief Executive, Nick Illsley, said:

"It's a great resource for anyone who needs simple directions in hurry, and it helps people plot the quickest route to their destination.

"Transport Direct lets people plan more efficient journeys at times when the transport system is less busy, saving time and allowing for more comfortable trips."

Real time information on road and rail disruption allows travellers to avoid unnecessary delays to their journey while extensive maps show the locations of bus stops and train stations, and also suggest where traffic congestion may occur.

In a recent survey Transport Direct users said:
* 92 per cent of users find the site easy to use
* Almost half of users were given a quicker route for a familiar journey
* Transport Direct helps 71 per cent of users plan a journey they have never made before

More Buses to Malham

Several new bus services have recently been introduced providing extra links to and from the popular village of Malham, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays service 211 runs between Skipton and Malham, providing useful links for local residents and visitors.

On Thursdays and Fridays service 590 runs between Giggleswick, Settle and Malham.

During the summer school holidays Dales Experience Bus 898 will run from Bradford and Keighley to Malham on Wednesdays 22nd July, 5th August and 19th August.

There's no need to book in advance to use services 211, 590 or 898.

Flexible bus services, operated by Little Red Bus, are now available in the Malham area on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 09.30 and 11.30, and again between 13.00 and 14.30. To book on this service call 01524 262753 at least 24 hours in advance.

There's also a flexible shopper service to Settle on Tuesdays. To book on this service call Little Red Bus on 01756 795666 at least 24 hours in advance.

The fares on all these services are similar to other local bus services, and concessionary passes are valid for free travel.

Other buses to Malham include:

The Malham Tarn Shuttle Bus running on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Ilkley, Skipton and Settle to Malham Tarn and Malham village.
Cravenlink services 883/884 providing through buses from Ilkley and Skipton to Malham on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, with connections from Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford and Keighley.
service 210 running on Monday to Friday and on Saturdays between Skipton and Malham

Your Views Sought on the Future of Transport in North Yorkshire

^{North Yorkshire County Council is embarking on a major consultation exercise with groups, organisations, and residents, as it begins the process of producing its third Local Transport Plan.
The current plan expires in March of 2011, and the council is anxious to hear people's suggestions for what the council should be focussing on in developing its new transport policy.
"The Local Transport Plan has made a real difference to people's lives across North Yorkshire," said County Councillor John Fort, Executive Member for Highways.
"These schemes have helped us to save lives through road safety improvements; provided improved accessibility for more than 600,000 people; and increased bus use by fourteen per cent overall, and by a terrific 27 per cent on the most important routes.
"But we do not intend to rest on our laurels. The third Local Transport Plan is our way of ensuring that our aim of keeping North Yorkshire on the move, in as safe and sustainable way as possible, is maintained and improved."
To help gain a better understanding of what the new priorities for the plan should be, and the best way to go about meeting those priorities, the county council will be undertaking an extensive two- stage engagement exercise.
The first stage of consultation will be by way of a questionnaire which will be distributed to county council members, parish and town councils, district councils, stakeholder groups and residents.
Members of the public will be able to receive the consultation questionnaire in a variety of ways: by ringing the County Council on 0845 8 727374, by emailing ltp@northyorks.gov.uk, or by writing to LTP Consultation, NYCC, Business and Environmental Services, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AH and stating whether they would prefer to receive the questionnaire by post or email. It will also be possible to complete the questionnaire on the county council's website - www.northyorks.gov.uk/ltp}

A Greener Future for Transport

^{Carbon emissions from domestic transport will be reduced by up to 14 per cent over the next decade as a result of the Government's carbon reduction strategy, published today 15th July 2009 by Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis.
Transport currently makes up 21 per cent of all UK domestic carbon emissions. The strategy entitled 'Low carbon transport: a greener future' sets out the policies and proposals for reducing transport sector emissions through to 2022.

It also frames the debate for the longer-term decarbonisation of transport to give people and businesses more low carbon choices about when, where and how to travel or transport goods.

Andrew Adonis said:

"Transport accounts for a significant amount of our domestic emissions. Therefore decarbonising this sector has to be front and centre of efforts to meet our obligations and commitments to tackle climate change.

“Our strategy sets out a long-term vision for a fundamentally different transport system in our country, where carbon reduction is a central consideration in the way we do business.

"If we are to safeguard the future of transport then we must also safeguard the environment that it impacts upon – I am determined to do that."

Today's strategy sets out how an additional 85 million tonnes of CO2 from domestic transport can be saved from 2018-2022 by: supporting a shift to new technologies and fuels; promoting lower carbon choices; and using market mechanisms to encourage the shift to lower carbon transport.
Key elements in the strategy include:
A new steering group for the freight and logistics industry to find effective ways of measuring, reporting and reducing emissions across the logistics sector;
A commitment to work with European partners to develop a robust mechanism for regulating CO2 from new vans, including clear targets for the medium and long-term and a mechanism to encourage the development of the ultra-low carbon van market whilst respecting the diversity of the van market;
Proposed eligibility criteria for the £2-5,000 consumer incentives for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, expected to apply from 2011. This includes the requirement for the vehicle to have maximum tailpipe emissions of 75g CO2/km. An update has also been published on the infrastructure framework which is supporting this scheme.
This publication builds on ongoing initiatives to reduce carbon emissions from transport and is part of a wider government comprehensive plan for decarbonising the UK and maximising the economic benefits presented by low carbon industries.}

Summer Guided Walks

A varied programme of free guided walks, all accessible by public transport, is on offer in the Yorkshire Dales every Sunday during the Summer months.

The walks are organised by Dalesbus Ramblers, and are designed to have easy connections with weekend DalesBus services. The walks vary in length from around 4 to 14 miles, and vary from easy to strenuous.

Full details of the walks are available online at www.dalesbusramblers.org.uk, and in a full colour booklet available from National Park Centres and other outlets.

New footpaths for walkers

^{Two new footpaths are ready for Easter 2009 for visitors in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Walkers coming out of Kettlewell now have a safer route to link up with the popular footpath to Hawkswick instead of having to use the busy B6160 road.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) has created a new, signposted off-road route starting at Kettlewell New Bridge and going through a short, wooded section and then over Open Access land to join the existing footpath about 400m south of Kettlewell.
Iain Mann, the YDNPA’s Upper Wharfedale Area Ranger said: “I think this new route will be really beneficial for walkers in the Kettlewell area. The footpath over to Hawkswick is hugely popular – and rightly so given the wonderful views you get.
“I would like to thank the woodland owner for allowing a permissive footpath to be created through his woodland, and also the Kettlewell Trust Lords for their help in making this route available.”
A new 120m footpath is now open in Malham to reduce the amount of road walking needed to and from the village’s breathtaking cove.
YDNPA staff have built the new footpath with the help of volunteers, and the works have been paid for by Natural England with the intention that the route will become part of the Pennine Way.
Catriona Kilner, the YDNPA’s Area Ranger for Malhamdale and Lower Ribblesdale, said: “This new section of footpath will improve the popular walk to Malham Cove from the village. It is one of the busiest footpaths in the National Park and creating this link allows visitors to avoid a narrow section of country lane.
“Staff from both the YDNPA and the National Trust have worked together to create this new footpath and we hope people will find it makes they visit even more enjoyable.”}

Summer Buses in the Dales

Regular bus services in the dales are enhanced with additional routes in the Summer months (mainly between Easter and mid-October), most of these running on Sundays and Bank Holidays only, with a few extra buses on other days.

These services are now running summer timetables:

the Wensleydale Vintage Tour Bus from Ripon to Leyburn, Redmire and Hawes
Fountains Abbey Shuttle Bus from Ripon
Malham Tarn Shuttle service from Ilkley and Skipton to Settle and Malham
DalesBus 800: Leeds - Ilkley - Grassington - Buckden - Hawes
DalesBus 850: Bradford - Shipley - Ilkley
DalesBus 870: Wakefield - Leeds - Otley - Ilkley
DalesBus 874: Ilkley - Grassington - Buckden
Cravenlink 883/884: Ilkley - Skipton - Malham
Cravenlink 883/884: Ilkley - Bolton Abbey - Skipton
Nidderdale Rambler: Pateley Bridge to Upper Nidderdale
Nidderdale Rambler: Pateley Bridge to Brimham Rocks
the Eastern Dalesman: Seacroft, Leeds and Otley to Pateley Bridge, Fountains Abbey, Leyburn and Richmond
the Ingleborough Pony linking Settle, Clapham, Ingleton, Ribblehead and Austwick
the Northern Dalesman linking Ribblehead with Hawes, Swaledale and Leyburn
Bolton Abbey Heritage Bus
Cumbria Classic Coaches service 569 from Ravenstonedale to Hawes (Tuesdays)
Cumbria Classic Coaches service 570 from Hawes to Ribblehead (Tuesdays)

Full details of all these services are available on the Dalesbus website at www.dalesbus.org .

Metro's Summer DalesBus timetable booklet is available from National Park Centres, Metro Travel Centres and other outlets.

Saddle up and join the Ingleborough Pony express

^{This summer, visitors to Ingleborough National Nature Reserve (NNR) will again be able to take advantage of an environmentally friendly travel option called the Ingleborough Pony thanks to a joint project run by Natural England and the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company.

The Ingleborough Pony bus service runs every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 17^th May to 19^th October. It will reduce the number of cars in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and help visitors minimise their impact on the environment. The service is perfect for people wanting to leave the car at home as it links up with the scenic Settle to Carlisle line at Settle, Horton in Ribblesdale and Ribblehead Stations, and from Clapham Station on the Morecambe line.

The 33 seat bus follows a 30 mile route around the mountain, with stops including White Scar Caves, Clapham village and Helwith Bridge. It is also a ‘hail and ride’ service so can drop off and pick up passengers at the most convenient place for them to start and end their walk. Fares have been priced to encourage people out of their cars, at a time of rising fuel costs. Children accompanying adults go free

Motorists can still take advantage of the service, as the Ingleborough Pony will stop at the main car parks off the A65 in Ingleton, Clapham and Settle, providing a service especially for walkers wanting to visit Ingleborough and the NNR. This means they don’t have to take their vehicles into the heart of the Dales and do an ‘out and back’ walk. It opens up opportunities to do a whole range of new ‘point to point’ routes which may otherwise be too much to do in a day. It’s a park and ride service, only for the countryside and not the supermarket.

Buses run four times a day and are timed to meet specific trains at railway stations along the route. New for 2009 will be a mid day and afternoon Ingleborough Pony ‘Round the Mountain’ circular scenic trip from Ribblehead or Ingleton.

The bus timetable can be accessed at the Dales Bus web site – http://www.dalesbus.org/ (on the home page click on ‘Summer Buses’ and then click on ‘Ingleborough Pony 832/3’).

Colin Newlands, Natural England Ingleborough NNR Senior Reserve Manager said, ”We are delighted to be a part of this innovative project and hope that people will use the bus service when travelling to Ingleborough NNR and the surrounding area. Using the Ingleborough Pony is a great way to access any of our four self-guided walks. Or you could plan your own route through the NNR from Chapel-le-Dale to Horton in Ribblesdale, taking in the wonderful variety of wildlife habitats on the way – from ancient woodland and limestone pavements to flower-rich grasslands and moss covered moorland. This is a trial period for the Ingleborough Pony, so it’s very much a case of use it or lose it’.”

Colin Speakman of the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company said, “This service will be a real benefit to walkers who are keen to explore this fantastic part of the Yorkshire Dales. It enables people to do more in a day, like one of the many beautiful linear walks that are found in the area”.

Malcolm Petyt, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Member Champion for Recreation Management, said: “The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a special area and the Ingleborough National Nature reserve is one of the highlights. It’s therefore only right that everyone has the opportunity to visit and enjoy this special place. The Ingleborough Pony, which connects with Settle Carlisle Line trains, provides the opportunity for people from right across the region to visit even if they don’t have a car. For car drivers the service also provides many opportunities to make linear walks by parking and taking the bus out before walking back to their cars at one of the main car parks.”}

Escape to the Dales with DalesBus

A new leaflet entitled "Escape to the Dales with DalesBus", providing an easy to read introduction to the DalesBus services has recently been produced by the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group.

The leaflet intends to bring the benefits of using the DalesBus services to a wider and younger audience - with the aim of encouraging more people to make use of them. It includes a full colour map of the Sunday & Bank Holiday bus routes, together with ideas for suggested walks and places to visit. The publication has been funded by a Grassroots Grant managed by the Leeds Community Foundation.

A copy can be downloaded as a PDF file by following these links: Pages 1&2, Map

Green buses for summer in the Dales

^{New bus services that provide people with green transport into and around the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National
Park are up and running for the summer. Most of the additional routes will run on Sundays and Bank Holidays up to mid-October, with a few extra buses on other days.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) is making a contribution of £15,000 to support the provision of the services to the National Park.

Malcolm Petyt, the YDNPA’s Member Champion for Recreation Management, said: “The National Park Authority is committed to working with others to improve access to the National Park for all. These summer services are vital for people who don’t have access to car to reach the National Park and to enjoy what makes it so special. In the current financial climate they are even more important for the businesses in the Dales as each bus will bring visitors who will be spending money in local shops and cafés which helps support the National Park’s economy.”

The additional services are being managed by the Dales And Bowland Community Interest Company, a Social Enterprise especially set up to support access to and the protection of the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland.

Natural England and The Dales and Bowland Interest Company are funding the Ingleborough Pony bus service that aims to provide sustainable travel to the Ingleborough National Nature Reserve and surrounding countryside.

The summer services are being a supported by a partnership of local authorities including: the YDNPA, West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and North Yorkshire County Council as well as the National Trust, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Natural England, the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, the Yorkshire Dales Society and the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group.

The summer services include:

Fountains Abbey Shuttle Bus from Ripon
Malham Tarn Shuttle service from Ilkley and Skipton to Settle and Malham
DalesBus 800: Leeds - Ilkley - Grassington - Buckden - Hawes
DalesBus 850: Bradford - Shipley - Ilkley
DalesBus 870: Wakefield - Leeds - Otley - Ilkley
DalesBus 874: Ilkley - Grassington - Buckden
Cravenlink 883/884: Ilkley - Skipton - Malham
Cravenlink 883/884: Ilkley - Bolton Abbey - Skipton
Nidderdale Rambler: Pateley Bridge to Upper Nidderdale
Nidderdale Rambler: Pateley Bridge to Brimham Rocks
the Eastern Dalesman: Seacroft, Leeds and Otley to Pateley Bridge, Fountains Abbey, Leyburn and Richmond
the Ingleborough Pony linking Settle, Clapham, Ingleton, Ribblehead and Austwick
the Northern Dalesman linking Ribblehead with Hawes, Swaledale and Leyburn

Full details of all these services are now available on the Dalesbus website at www.dalesbus.org or by phoning 0113 245 76 76

Metro's Summer DalesBus timetable booklet is now also available from National Park Information Centres and METRO Travel Centres and other outlets.}

Walkers are half way there

Walkers are half way there

Walkers on a hike along Alfred Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast route are today (Tues Sept 22 2009) celebrating reaching the halfway point – in Swaledale.

The walk along the entire 190-miles of the route – 35 miles of it through the Yorkshire Dales National Park – celebrates the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) North Yorkshire’s new Coastal Branch, the 75^th anniversary of the Friends of the Lake District and the 60^th anniversary of the passing of the Act that led to the creation of National Parks.

The 95-mile point of the full walk – and first part of the section through the National Park from Kirkby Stephen to Keld (13 miles in six hours) - ended last night with a celebratory meal.

The second section – from Keld to Reeth (11 miles in five hours) – takes place today (Sept 22) and the final leg from Reeth to Richmond (11 miles in four hours) is tomorrow when the walkers will include James Lamb, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) Area Ranger for Swaledale.

The larger event is taking place over a two-and-a-half week period and passes through the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors National Parks before finishing at Robin Hoods Bay on September 30. There is still time to join one or more stages of the remaining journey across North Yorkshire. More information can be obtained by calling 01765 609167 or visiting www.cprenorthyorkshire.org.

Walkers who travel through one, two or all three National Parks on the route will be able to collect a stamp for their National Park Passport – a fun document created for the 60^th anniversary celebrations in which people can record their visits to the UK’s 14 National Parks. The Passport and details on how to use it can be downloaded from http://www.nationalparks.co.uk/visiting/passport.htm.

Women's Way on the National Byway

^{While women outnumber men in Britain, fewer of them have been riding their bikes. But that is likely to change as new research indicates that, with more than 40% of women already having access to a bike, there's real opportunity for increased usage.

Concerns for safety rank high amongst women's cycling needs. "It is a matter of confidence really" says Anne Mustoe, chair of The National Byway Trust "and of knowing where to ride. Sustrans provides numerous traffic-free urban routes while The National Byway provides the opportunity to get out into the country, where motor traffic on selected and way-marked country lanes is only 2% of the national average. And there are plenty of reasons to stop along the way to visit places of interest. The Byway is ideal for family riding, health and for quality time together."

The new research study indicates that women in the 35-54 age groups are most likely to cycle, with more than half in each group already having access to a bike. And nearly 30% of them are already cycling at least once a month. With bike sales booming at more than 3 million a year, these numbers will inevitably continue to rise. "There is a real opportunity here" says Mustoe "for investment in the women's market."

Encouragement for women to cycle is coming from others too, not the least of whom are Britain's three Olympic cycling gold medallists Reberra Romero, Nicole Cooke and Victoria Pendleton who, together with recently-crowned world champion Lizzie Armitstead are all showing the way. TV personalities Annabel Croft,
Anne Diamond and Sarah Cawood have also joined the world of active women cycling, while evergreen Madonna has long used cycling as part of her fitness regime.

"With the health-related values of cycling, the growing concerns about obesity in our children and about the environment, what better time is there to take to two wheels" says Anne Mustoe, who is about to depart on her third globe-circling bike ride in twenty years, starting with sections of The National Byway in the West Midlands and South-East England. "Life is a never-ending pleasure on two wheels" she concludes "And with opportunities like those The National Byway provides, now is the time to try it for yourself".}

Consultation on Yorkshire Dales Link in National Cycle Route

The National Byway cycle route is a 4,500-mile cycle route giving Britain’s 40 million bicycle owners a reason to get on their bikes.

The cycle route is designed to bring together the environmental, health, educational, social and economic benefits of cycling. It meanders around Britain, with sections passing north to south through North Yorkshire and Cumbria. It is proposed to join these sections with a Trans-Pennine Spur crossing the Yorkshire Dales.

The spur is 180 miles long, running along rural lanes from Middleham in the east and Ingleton in the west. It includes three loops using sections of the main cycle route and centred on Masham, Settle and Ingleton.

The cycle route, which is being developed by the National Byway Trust, is discreetly signposted, using signs approved by the Department for Transport only where needed, such as at junctions. The signs are brown and white, denoting the cycle route as a tourism project.

There are expected to be 65 signs on the spur. When complete, the spur is expected to inject an estimated £250,000 a year into the local economy and help to create jobs. The cycle route is detailed in maps that are available via the website, www.thenationalbyway.org

What’s your view?

Your views on this project are important, so North Yorkshire County Council is inviting you to complete a questionnaire, which is available at http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10527

or by calling 08458 727374. Questionnaires must be returned by August 31

Champions challenge in the Yorkshire Dales

^{Forty young people from Bradford will be stretching their muscles in a series of physical events in the Yorkshire Dales National Park next week 27 July 2009
Eight teams of five from various Bradford Youth Service facilities, such as Youth Cafés, and the inclusion unit, will be taking part in a Champions Challenge in association with Go Dales! – a three-year initiative funded by Sport England through the Community Investment Fund and launched last year by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
The event, which will run from Monday (July 27) to Friday, will involve a variety of different activities including conservation work, walking, biking and rock climbing.
They will also have the chance to walk the Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-gent and Whernside and, at the end of each day, the weary participants will be sleeping under canvas.
The challenge will start and finish in Baildon Green and the teams will travel some of the way between destinations by train, using a batch of free tickets supplied by Northern Rail.
Go Dales! aims to introduce 16 to 25-year-olds from the Keighley, Bradford, Craven and Richmond areas to the National Park and to the huge range of adventure activities it offers.
Kath Needham, who has been appointed to the Sport England-funded post of Go Dales! Project Officer, said: “The Youth Service has been doing this challenge in the Lakes, both with Outward Bound and independently, for several years.
“Go Dales! persuaded them to swap to the Dales to encourage young people to explore more of what’s on their doorstep – lowering their carbon footprint in the process.
“In addition, working in such a way with the YDNPA will give them the benefit of appreciating the special qualities of the National Park such as its landscape, as well as learning about ways to protect it.”
“The challenge gives us the chance to promote widely the Three Peaks Project, which aims to encourage charities, organisations and individuals to help in the maintenance and conservation of the network of paths crossing the area. In fact, the teams will be among the first to be able to log in online and get a newly-introduced certificate saying they have walked all three peaks.”}

Off-road adventure for disabled ramblers

^{Disabled ramblers go off road to enjoy some of the sights and history of the Yorkshire Dales National Park
A group of members of the national Disabled Ramblers charity and their support team will be riding their tough, off-road electric wheelchairs over rough terrain and up and down some steep hills during a two-day visit on July 15th and 16th 2009
The Disabled Ramblers visited Swaledale in the north of the National Park during 2008 and enjoyed their trip so much they have decided to make a return visit.
Rachel Briggs, the YDNPA’s Access Development Officer, said: “The use of off-road wheelchairs provides opportunities for disabled people to explore parts of the National Park that would normally be inaccessible to them – it’s going beyond the flat, surfaced road we would normally provide for a wheelchair user.”
National Park Rangers will be providing back-up during the ramblers’ outings to Bolton Abbey and Threshfield Moor areas in the south of the National Park.}

Steam Returns to Wensleydale Railway

The Wensleydale Railway will celebrate the sixth anniversary of its opening on Saturday 4th July.

Diesel loco-hauled trains will operate all services, with free entry to a draw for railway prizes: a gift voucher for Driver Experience Day and a gift voucher for two complimentary tickets for summer steam train.

Steam trains will return to the Wensleydale Railway in mid-July, running on these dates: 18th July to 9th August and 13th August to 31st August 2009.

Ex-British Rail Standard Class locomotive No 80105 will haul the first train of the day from Leeming Bar to Redmire and bring the last train back. During the day it will shuttle between Leyburn and Redmire and (in the other direction) between Leyburn and Burton run-round loop (no boarding or alighting there).

Diesel multiple units will provide a feeder service between Leeming Bar and Leyburn. Services are ‘turn up and go’, except for coach parties and groups of 11 or more who should pre-book tickets. Special fares apply on the steam service.

For further details see the Wensleydale Railway website.

A new way to experience the Dales

The Dales Experience Bus will run from Bradford, Shipley and Keighley to the Yorkshire Dales on Wednesdays from 22nd July until 26th August 2009, running to Skipton/Malham and Bolton Abbey/Grassington/Kettlewell on alternate weeks.

The service has been specially designed to encourage people who haven't visited the Yorkshire Dales before to enjoy a day out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The bus leaves Bradford Interchange at 10:00, Shipley Market Place at 10:15, Bingley Main Street at 10:25 and Keighley Bus Station at 10:40. A range of guided walks and events has been arranged to fit in with the bus times.

Special tickets, offering great value for money, will be available on the services - with an adult day return costing just £5. Children can travel for £1, as part of the Metro Active promotion. There's no need to book in advance - simply pay the driver.

Click here for further details.

Transport Direct welcomes 50 millionth user

Over 50 million users have now visited the Department for Transport's pioneering travel information and journey planning service, Transport Direct.

For five years the website has provided travellers with a unique guide to virtually all domestic transport on land, sea and air by drawing information from over 40 different sources each week.

It offers users the chance to tailor a journey to their own needs, by combining the content of up to eight different websites in one and plotting their route from door-to-door.

Transport Minister Paul Clark said:

"This website is about allowing the public to find a route that suits them best.

"People can see where to find a GP, make sure they get to their job interview on time, or plan a night out with friends.

"The versatility of Transport Direct is matched only by the scale and precision of its travel information - 96 per cent of users say they'd use it again."

The site, launched in December 2004, now attracts more than 25 million users each year - over eight times as many as it did in its first year.

Transport Direct Chief Executive, Nick Illsley, said:

"It's a great resource for anyone who needs simple directions in hurry, and it helps people plot the quickest route to their destination.

"Transport Direct lets people plan more efficient journeys at times when the transport system is less busy, saving time and allowing for more comfortable trips."

Dales Bike Centre opens in Swaledale

A new facility for cyclists, the Dales Bike Centre, is now open near Reeth in Swaledale. The exact location is a village called Fremington just ½ a mile east of Reeth.

The new Dales Bike Centre offers cyclists a range of facilities:

Café
Bike servicing and repair workshop
Small retail area mainly selling spares and consumables
Bike hire - Trek hardtail, full suspension and hybrid bikes, tag-a-longs and child seats
14 bed, bunk accommodation in two and four bedded rooms, with breakfast
Self catering facilities for residents
Parking
Secure bike storage
Bike wash (due to be installed in February)
Changing, toilet and shower facilities for day visitors
Laundry
Drying room
Information point
Continuation and expansion of Dales Mountain Biking courses, events and tours

The telephone number is 01748 884908.

The Dales Bike Centre was awarded a £100,000 grant by Yorkshire Forward towards the £500,000 cost of the project. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, which is managed by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, also awarded the project £22.000. Without this financial backing of Yorkshire Forward, and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority the Dales Bike Centre would never have been built.

The location could not be better, not only is the Dales Bike Centre located at a natural trailhead to explore Swaledale and Arkengarthdale on a road or mountain bike, but also:

Gateway location to explore the extensive bridleway network
Off-road Coast to Coast route is within 100metres of our doorstep
Yorkshire Dales Cycleway route is just 1km away
Sustrans route 71 passes on the B6270

Open Access Walks in the Yorkshire Dales

^{Walkers will have the chance to explore new areas of the Yorkshire Dales National Park with the start of a series of free hikes on Open Access land.
Until the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 came into force in the Yorkshire Dales in May 2005, only four per cent of the National Park was open access land. That figure rocketed to 62 per cent following the Act – providing more than 390 extra square miles for walkers to enjoy.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’ Rangers have organised a series of walks in different areas of Open Access land this summer.

Alan Hulme, the National Park Authority’s Ranger Services Manager, said: “The idea of these walks is to give people a chance to meet the local Area Ranger and to experience new areas of the National Park that they may not have seen before, away from the rights of way.”

The walks programme includes:

20th June: Open Access Guided Walk with A Ranger – Circular on Ingleborough. Meet at Ribblehead Quarry. If travelling from Ingleton, turn right just before railway bridge at Ribblehead (Grid SD 765 789), 10:30 to 16:00. Short walk from Ribblehead Station. Telephone 01969 652380.}^{4th July: Open Access Guided Walk with a Ranger – exploring above Kettlewell, Guided Walk. Meet at Kettlewell National Park car park (Grid SD 968 723), 13:00 to 17:00. Bus service 72/74. Telephone 01969 666210.}

Ribblehead Viaduct Walk

Following the huge success of the Ribblehead Viaduct Walk in 2007, the event will be repeated by the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line on Sunday 26th July 2009, during the closure of the Settle-Carlisle railway line for engineering works. Further details will be available shortly at www.ribbleheadwalk.co.uk (pre-booking will be essential).

Ribblehead Music Trains

Northern will again be operating the popular Ribblehead Music Train on Saturdays 9th May, 13th June and 4th July 2009, on the 19.19 service from Leeds to Ribblehead, which will return from Ribblehead at 21.10 to Skipton. Further details will be available shortly.

Canadian TV Exposure

^{Canadian adventure travel TV show – the Eagar Brothers –
head across the Dales in search of their favourite Yorkshire pint
Mark Reid’s long distance walking route – The Inn Way... to the Yorkshire Dales – charts a 6-day circular walk that covers 76 miles via 26 great country pubs.
Since it was first published back in 1997, many thousands of people have enjoyed walking The Inn Way... to the Yorkshire Dales, with its intoxicating blend of breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history, unique culture and heritage as well as its wealth of traditional pubs.
Now this walking route looks set to become even more popular after the Eagar Brothers filmed the route for their adventure travel television series Which Way To which is due to be screened on Canadian national television in the autumn as well as over 200 countries worldwide on National Geographic Channel.
The three Eagar Brother – Bass, Squids and Krusty – walked the route with Inn Way author Mark Reid in late February, and they loved the combination of remote moorland, cosy village pubs and amazing history. As for their favourite Yorkshire pint... all will be revealed in autumn!
Says Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks: “I always say that a walk is all about the journey, not the destination. Things always happen along the way that make for a memorable experience, and our ‘Inn Way’ walk was no exception.”
“The three Eagar Brothers lent their hand at rounding up sheep, bell-ringing and drinking a yard of ale. They had a medieval lunch with the owner of a castle, played quoits on the village green against a local team and hitched a ride on the back of a tractor. And in between all of this, walked across some of England’s most spectacular landscapes and called into some pretty special pubs. Their favourite pub was the Falcon at Arncliffe, where beer is still dispensed straight out of the barrel into a porcelain jug” added Mark.}

Ingleborough Pony Extends to Skipton during July

The Ingleborough Pony bus service will be extended to operate from Skipton Railway Station on Sundays 12th/19th/26th July, during the closure of the Settle-Carlisle railway line for engineering works.

The Skipton - Settle - Carlisle railway line will be closed for engineering works between 10th and 27th July 2009. In order to maintain some connections with the train service the Ingleborough Pony bus service will have a revised timetable during this period - on Sundays 12th, 19th and 26th July.

It was originally planned to provide connections with trains on the Morecambe line at Clapham Station, but as that line is also now affected by engineering works on these dates, this will no longer be possible. A revised timetable has now been produced, providing connections with trains from/to Leeds at Skipton Station instead. This will provide the facility to travel by bus from Skipton Rail Station (departing at 09:50) to Settle, Ribblehead and Hawes, for onward connections to Swaledale and Leyburn.

To facilitate this it has however been necessary to make some changes to other morning and early evening buses on the Ingleborough Pony service, including the withdrawal of some journeys on Sundays 12th, 19th and 26th July.

Full details of the Ingleborough Pony bus service, running every Sunday and Bank Holiday until 18th October 2009, are available on the DalesBus website.

Engineering Works on Settle-Carlisle Line

Engineering work is scheduled on the Settle-Carlisle railway line at various times during 2009.

There will be a two-week closure affecting most of the Skipton - Settle - Carlisle line from 10th to 27th July 2009 inclusive.

Between these dates trains will operate only between Leeds and Skipton and between Langwathby and Carlisle. There will be some changes to train times northbound between Langwathby and Carlisle.

The Monday-Saturday 0947 Leeds-Carlisle and 1503 (1548 on Sat) Carlisle-Leeds trains will be replaced by an express bus between Skipton and Carlisle.

Two rail replacement coaches will operate throughout the period. The express bus will run between Skipton and Carlisle calling at Settle, Kirkby Stephen, Kirkby Stephen town and Appleby. The stopping bus will also operate between Skipton and Carlisle calling at all stations (except Dent).

For further information visit www.settle-carlisle.co.uk, contact Northern's Customer Relations on 0845 0000 125 or email customer.relations@northernrail.org.

A revised timetable will operate on the Ingleborough Pony bus service on Sundays 12th, 19th and 26th July during the closure, with a bus departing from Skipton Station at 09:50 providing connections to Settle, Ribblehead, Ingleton, Hawes and Swaledale. Click here for further details.

New lease of life for "green lane"

^{A rutted, ankle-twisting ‘green lane’ west of Hawes is open for business again after being transformed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).
The route at Cotter End – known locally as The Highway or the Lady Anne Highway – is ready for visitors at the end of a year-long project that has seen it stripped down to its basics and virtually rebuilt.
And, after years as a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT), access is now restricted to walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers.
Matt Neale, the YNDPA’s Area Ranger for Upper Wensleydale, said: “As a BOAT, it had been used a lot by off-road motor vehicles – mainly motorbikes – and it was in a terrible condition, with ruts across its width, some almost waist deep. The condition was made worse by poor drainage.
“It was dangerous for horses and we had a lot of complaints from walkers because you could easily twist your ankle.
“We have rebuilt the path and improved the drainage along the whole section, which is just over a kilometre long, and, due to the sensitive nature of the route, we have introduced a Traffic Regulation Order, which means recreational motor vehicles are banned from it.
“Now it is much easier to use and people will be able to enjoy the views as they travel along it instead of having to look down all the time and concentrate on where they put their feet.”
Landowner Sandra Facer said: “The work by the National Park Authority has transformed it completely. It’s a huge improvement on what it was a year ago and the TRO will mean it should stay in this condition for a long time.”
Historically the route was used by horses and carts for many years as the main road from Hawes to Kirkby Stephen and by Lady Anne Clifford on her regular travels between Skipton and Brough.
She was born at Skipton Castle in 1590, the third and only surviving child of George Clifford, third Earl of Cumberland, and his wife Margaret Russell. She finally inherited the estate in 1643.and spent the next 26 years rebuilding almshouses, churches and castles including Skipton, Pendragon, Appleby, Brough and Brougham, where she finally died in 1676.}

Better access to Gordale Scar

^{Better access to Gordale Scar
The awesome splendour of Gordale Scar in Malhamdale will soon be opened up to everyone thanks to a huge project to improve access.
Until now, the path through the gorge up to its spectacular waterfall has been unsuitable for wheelchair users and the less able.
But work by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) to resurface the path, improve drainage and clear away fallen scree is virtually finished and it should be ready for use by the end of the month (January).
Cat Kilner, the YDNPA’s Area Ranger for Malhamdale and Lower Ribblesdale, has been responsible for the improvement project, which has involved a helping hand from many groups along the way, including many YDNPA rangers and Dales Volunteers, Duke of Edinburgh Scheme participants and a day’s work from a group from Open Country, a Harrogate-based registered charity that enables people with disabilities get out into the countryside.
“Although Gordale has always been more accessible than many areas in Malhamdale, the improvements will mean it will be much easier for everyone to reach the base of the waterfall,” she said.
“The path is often virtually washed out in heavy rain so we have improved the drainage to prevent this happening in the future. Another problem was that it was rather steep at one point so we have reduced the gradient there.
“We also have a problem with scree falling onto the path so we have organised a set of volunteers to regularly patrol the route and remove it – which means it should always be accessible.
“Gordale waterfall is a spectacular limestone feature with an apron of delicate tufa rock on its face that is created by calcium carbonate from the stream being deposited. It is only right that this area should be available for everyone to view.”}

Settle-Carlisle Line Audio Guides

BBC Radio 4 presenter Mark Holdstock has teamed up with Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line On-Train Guides Coordinator Richard Morris and Northern to produce sound commentaries for the famous Settle-Carlisle railway journey. The trip is split up into sections starting and finishing at stations so if the train is delayed or is running ahead of the commentary the listener can pause - or fast forward to the next station and restart. At either end there is a commentary on Settle and Carlisle stations. These recordings are available as MP3 files, or pre-loaded on MP3 players that can be purchased at stations.

The MP3 files can be downloaded free of charge from the Settle Carlisle Line website at: www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/download_audio.cfm

Transport Fund for National Parks a Win-Win For All

Responding to the Government's consultation on its emerging national transport strategy, the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) has called on the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon, to provide dedicated funding to support sustainable transport for England's National Parks. If the call is heeded millions of people could benefit from a range of new transport initiatives in the Parks, as well as improvements to existing services. This would lead to more frequent and integrated public transport, better quality and more extensive facilities for cyclists and walkers, well-located 'Park and Ride' schemes, and community transport services. National Park and transport authorities would also be able to test and establish new ways of managing traffic and expand existing work to protect the character of rural roads and their surrounds.

"Millions of people visit the Parks every year and this should continue to be encouraged", Alex Thursby, CNP's transport campaigner, says. "However, a staggering 90 per cent of visitors arrive by car, and residents are also highly dependent on using their own vehicles for day to day travel. High traffic levels have a major impact on the National Park environment, and no one enjoys being stuck in traffic - let alone having an otherwise peaceful walk or picnic destroyed by the noise and pollution that inevitably come with overloaded roads", she continues.

By committing to a fund, the Government would give real substance to its own policies in relation to transport and to National Parks, as well as contributing to recently announced carbon reduction targets, better health outcomes and greater social equality. The Department for Transport's national transport strategy recognises the need for a major shift in travel behaviour by everyone, with much less reliance on cars and much greater use of buses, trains, cycling and walking. The protected status of National Parks also demands that all sources of potential harm to their special qualities, including from traffic, be minimised. Both of these objectives could be progressed by ensuring that there is a comprehensive network of convenient and affordable alternatives to the car for getting to and moving around the Parks.

Building on the success of the Government's Sustainable Travel Towns, CNP is calling on the Government to fund one or more 'Sustainable Travel National Parks' at a rate of £1m per year for five years, with measures aimed at tackling the particular transport issues that those National Parks face. National Parks should be exemplars of sustainable transport provision - providing replicable and adaptable sustainable transport models for use throughout the National Parks and beyond, in other rural settings, visitor hot-spots and protected areas. Funding would help in sharing lessons learnt with all decision-makers who face the same or similar challenges in rural, protected area or visitor transport provision.

"The special qualities of the National Parks, their national significance and the seriousness of the threat posed to them by unsustainable transport justifies treating them exceptionally", Alex Thursby concluded. "Sustainable transport and traffic management within National Parks should be afforded the highest priority and resourced properly if it is to contribute to protecting, rather than threatening, these economically valuable and environmentally invaluable landscapes. With this year being the 60^th anniversary of the legislation that enabled the Parks to come into being, the Government has the perfect opportunity to confirm its commitment to the Parks' protection."

Chilling campaign warns drivers to kill their speed or 'Live With It'

^{A harrowing new £3.2m THINK! campaign to highlight the life-wrecking consequences of speeding for drivers as well as victims was launched today by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.
The campaign's stark message is that if you kill someone while speeding you will be tormented by it forever. In the new television advert a driver is haunted by images of the child he has killed - seeing his body in the bathroom mirror, through the window of a bus and when in the park with his son.
Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"Speed kills. More than 700 people were killed in 2007 in accidents where someone was driving too fast - that's two people every day of the year who didn't go home to their families.
"The last THINK! campaign on speeding highlighted the shocking fact that if you hit a child at 30mph there's an 80% chance they will live but if you hit them at 40mph there's an 80% chance they will die. It's 30 for a reason.
"We now want motorists to consider the consequences of speeding for them: what is life like for the driver who kills because they are in a rush to get home and how does that split second decision affect the rest of their life? I hope this powerful new campaign will get drivers to kill their speed before it's too late."
The new THINK! campaign - 'Kill your speed, or live with it' - includes TV, radio, cinema and online advertising.
The radio adverts - 'Always There' - feature a chilling message from 'beyond the grave'. Children's voices describe what life is like for the driver who killed them while speeding several years ago. The drivers cannot sleep, watch a football match or spend time with their own children without thinking of the dead child.
The 'Kill your speed, or live with it' campaign is just one of the Government's initiatives to further cut the number of people killed or injured on Britain's roads. As well as other THINK! campaigns, including the new 'Tales of the Road' child road safety campaign, the Department for Transport is currently consulting on a range of proposals to improve road safety including increasing the penalties for those who commit the most serious speeding offences.}

Making Britain's roads the safest in the world

^{Making Britain's roads the safest in the world

Wide-ranging proposals to dramatically cut the number of deaths on the roads were set out by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick as he also confirmed a major overhaul of the driver training and testing process.
New measures to ensure all roads have the right speed limit and the formation of a new expert panel to investigate road safety are part of ambitious plans to cut road deaths by a third by 2020 and make Britain's roads the safest in the world.
The way people learn to drive and how they are tested is also set for major reform. A new road safety qualification will offer young people a partial credit towards their car theory test while the learning process and the theory and practical tests will all be improved. Van drivers also will be given the chance to enhance the skills they need for their work through a new qualification.
Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"We've already made real improvements to the safety of our roads - there are now almost 17,000 fewer deaths or serious injuries in a year than there were in the mid-1990s. But it is intolerable that eight people are still dying on our roads each day.
"We want to make Britain's roads the safest in the world. That will mean improving vehicles and the road network as well as helping drivers and other road users to be as safe as possible.
"The major changes to the driver training and testing process will create better prepared drivers while our plans for the next 10 years aim to make the roads and vehicles they use safer and so prevent many of the terrible crashes which cut short lives and tear families apart."
The DfT's draft road safety strategy for 2010-2020 - A Safer Way: Consultation on Making Britain's Roads the Safest in the World - is published today for consultation. Its proposals include:
* New guidance to ensure all roads have the right speed limit. This will recommend that local authorities:
- Introduce, over time, 20 mph zones or limits into streets around schools and which are primarily residential in nature to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
- Review speed limits on single carriageway rural roads, reducing the limit on the more dangerous roads where this will have a significant impact on casualties.
* The formation of a new independent expert panel to identify issues and trends from fatal accidents and provide an annual report on road safety to Ministers and Parliament.
* New targets to cut road deaths by one-third by 2020, to halve the number of child deaths and serious injuries on the roads and to halve the rate of road death and serious injury to pedestrians and cyclists per kilometre travelled.
Alongside the draft strategy, a programme of measures to reform the driver training and testing process are also published today in response to the Learning to Drive consultation conducted last year. Almost 7,000 people responded to the radical plans and the Driving Standards Agency will now:
* Roll out a new voluntary pre-driver qualification in safe road use for 14-17-year-olds. Successful completion will provide a partial credit for the theory test, allowing learner car drivers to take an abridged test from October this year.
* Introduce case studies into the theory test to better assess whether learners have understood driving or riding theory, also from this October.
* Develop a new vocational qualification for van drivers, helping them to enhance the skills they need to drive for work.
* Improve the practical test by introducing an assessment of a candidate's ability to drive independently without detailed instructions from the examiner, as well as requiring the supervising driver to accompany the candidate during the test to help unsuccessful candidates understand feedback from examiners and help tailor further learning.
* Improve the content of the Pass Plus scheme to maximise both take up and the incentives offered by insurers to drivers who complete the scheme.
* Launch a trial of the new Learning to Drive syllabus, which sets out all the aspects of driving that are needed to be a safe driver.
* Bring forward proposals to modernise driver training including providing learners with more information to help them to choose an instructor.
Later this week, the DfT will launch the first phase of the new THINK! road safety education programme, with resources, activities and materials for early- years and upper- primary children, teachers , parents and Road Safety professionals. The website address will be http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/education.}

Coroner and Superbiker join forces with 95 Alive to save lives.

A North Yorkshire coroner has taken the highly unusual step of speaking out about the dangers of riding motorbikes at a 95 Alive road safety press conference today 29th May 2009.

95 Alive, the North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership is working with Coroner Geoff Fell and Super Biker Dennis Hobbs to stop motorcyclists dying on the County’s roads. The Partnership includes North Yorkshire County Council, Police and Fire and Rescue the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and other local authorities to reduce road casualties.

Six motorcyclists have died so far this year in North Yorkshire compared to seven in the whole of last year. There were no fatal collisions involving motorcyclists in the first five months of 2008.

In the past decade 148 people have died and 1,229 were seriously injured in crashes involving motorbikes on the County’s roads.

With the Bank Holiday approaching when thousands of motorcyclists are expected to pour into the County from all over the North and beyond Mr Geoff Fell, coroner for the western district of North Yorkshire, has taken the highly unusual step of speaking out. As coroner he has held inquests into many of the deaths and heard harrowing stories of loved ones and friends. He said: “I have taken what for a coroner is an unusual step of making this public statement. Let me explain why. I and my fellow coroners who cover the same areas as North Yorkshire police, regularly issue warnings to motorcyclists following road traffic collision inquests where a biker has died.

“We never know how many motorcyclists are influenced by what we say. However we do know how many are not. I regularly see the consequence of these fatal collisions at the inquest. I see the wives of the deceased and often the teenage children. The vast majority of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions are not young and single, quite the contrary. Most of these motorcyclists crash on bends with no other vehicles involved.

“When another vehicle is involved more often than not, the driver of the other vehicle has done nothing wrong. High speed is not of itself a major factor – but inappropriate speed for the road at that point is a major issue.

“Many of the deceased are riding on roads they are familiar with, going to or from the various popular destinations for motorcyclists. Many of them are riding super bikes that are conversation items amongst enthusiasts – almost all of them are family men who drive family cars Monday to Friday”

“Some of them are experienced motorcyclists who, having got it wrong, are often “doing the right thing” as they seek, without success to regain control.

“It is quite frequently a case of riding a motorcycle in a way that is beyond their capabilities or those of their machine. North Yorkshire has much to offer and attracts all visitors whatever their mode of transport. However, please bear in mind that those stone walls, which contribute so much to the landscape, can be very unforgiving.

“The undulating roads with interesting bends and blind summits which motorcyclists find attractive, demand that they be negotiated with regard to what “might” be over the brow or round the next bend, or ideally the one after that.

“Can I also say that the motorcyclists who this is directed to are not under the influence of alcohol or any other substance. Generally they ride within the capabilities of themselves and their bikes. What they tend to do, on occasions, is make errors of judgement with, sadly fatal consequences.”

Supersport rider Dennis Hobbs, is all too aware how dangerous motorbikes can be. He broke his neck at a race at Croft Circuit some years ago and had to fight back to fitness.

He said : ”Bikers must be well prepared before going out on a run. Make sure your motorcycle is in good condition, make sure your skills haven't gone rusty over the winter. I've learnt through years of experience how to read a track and the same skills can be used on a road, which is far more likely to change."

“On the track there are marshalls waving yellow flags if there’s oil on the road or debris on the

track. On the open road it’s all up to you to spot hazards, judge bends and react in time.

“ The bike goes where you look. If you find you’re unsettled on a left hand bend and start to drift, try as hard as you can not to look to the offside or any opposing traffic, look to the nearside verge. Generally the bike will be better than you and hopefully will come back in.”

Cash backing for buses as funding competition kicks off

^{Bus services across England are set to benefit from key improvements as a multi-million pound competition gets underway. From today, local authorities are able to submit applications for a share of £25 million of Kickstart money.
The Kickstart initiative offers financial backing to help launch new or enhanced services, with the focus on getting more people out of their cars and travelling on buses, as well as improving accessibility.
Speaking in York, whilst visiting a successful Kickstart scheme in the city, Transport Minister Paul Clark said:
"Good local transport is vital, providing essential links to friends, work and local amenities. This latest round of funding will give crucial financial support to services which may be commercially marginal for operators but which have the potential to benefit local residents.
"York is a shining example of how effective partnership-working between councils, bus companies, passenger groups and local police can result in a first-class service. And Kickstart funding has made a real difference to some communities in North Yorkshire by providing better links from more rural areas to the city. I would encourage other authorities to take inspiration from this and the other successful schemes who received Kickstart funding last time round."
Applications for the new round of funding will be accepted through to 3rd July 2009, with schemes which make use of the new bus powers in the Local Transport Act 2008 being a particular focus. The Department hopes to announce the successful schemes in the Autumn.}

Regular steam trains return to the Settle and Carlisle Line

This summer 2009 for the first time in over 40 years a regular timetabled steam hauled train is set to depart from stations in Lancashire offering a unique 260 mile day trip over the world famous Settle and Carlisle line.

Departing every Wednesday from 29^th July through to 2^nd September “The Fellsman” will leave from Lancaster and then pick up passengers at Preston, Bamber Bridge, Blackburn and Clitheroe and will be hauled throughout by steam giants from the past including the recently rebuilt LMS Royal Scot class 46115 ‘Scots Guardsman’ or LMS Jubilee class 5690 ‘Leander’.

Using carriages from the 1950’s & 60’s with all seats around a table and panoramic opening windows passengers will be able to hear and feel the engines working hard to pull the heavy train up the steep gradients of the spectacular Settle and Carlisle line and over the impressive 24 arch viaduct at Ribblehead, with unsurpassed views of the three peaks, then on to the summit of the line at Ais Gill whilst passing through the Yorkshire Dales offering memorable views. There will be the opportunity to leave the train at the pretty Westmoreland market town of Appleby for a four hour break, or, carry on through the pretty Eden Valley to the border city of Carlisle for a two hour break while the engine takes on coal and is serviced ready for the return journey. There will be a chance for photographs as the engine stops for water and perhaps have a chat to the driver and fireman who will explain the workings of the engine and show children the roaring coal fire.

“The Fellsman” is aimed primarily at the family market (with prices to match) and is an unashamedly nostalgic glimpse back to the glory days of Britain’s heritage with the opportunity to spend a unique and memorable day out away from motorway traffic jams and the hustle and bustle of modern daily life. Operated by ‘Statesman Rail’ in partnership with Carnforth based ‘West Coast Railways’ and ‘Northern Rail’ there is the opportunity to leave the car at home and connect into “The Fellsman” using direct local rail services from numerous stations across the north - further details are available from staffed Northern Rail stations or www.northernrail.org

Reserved seating is available in Standard or 1^st class with a buffet car open throughout the journey for beverages and light refreshments, but for anyone wishing to live it up a little there is even the opportunity to enjoy a freshly cooked full English breakfast and three course dinner in the opulence of Premier class – prepared freshly on board by chefs in the kitchen car and silver served by liveried stewards this is certainly the way to travel whilst enjoying the passing spectacular scenery.

Reservations may be made through ‘Statesman Rail’ on 0845 310 2458 and all website bookings www.statesmanrail.com will attract a 5% discount over the normal fares. There is also a family of 4 ticket available for any combination of adults and children offering even further savings.

Operations Director Peter Watkinson says “We are pleased to introduce this very special train, with prices starting at an equivalent of just 17p per mile, in partnership with ‘Northern Rail’ giving youngsters who do not remember the great days of steam a chance to see for themselves what travel was like before plastic train interiors and cramped airline style seats. It is also an opportunity for the older generation to re-live a travel experience they thought had vanished forever with a journey over what is regarded by many as one of the great railway journeys in the world – the famous Settle to Carlisle line. If these trains are a success, which we are certain they will be, the programme will be expanded in 2010 along with other trains to different destinations”

Statesman Rail Ltd

PO Box 83

St Erth

Hayle

TR27 9AD

0845 310 2458

reservations@statesmanrail.com

www.statesmanrail.com

Walkers urged to save National Park's history

Walkers picking up stones to build cairns in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are putting the area’s history at risk.

The rocks they using to build new cairns are sometimes being taken from ancient sites including burial mounds, according to Robert White, Senior Conservation Officer for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).

“There are problems at a number of historically-important sites within the National Park, including Beamsley Beacon near Bolton Abbey,” he said.

“During the Bronze Age, some 4,500 years ago, a large stone mound was built there, probably to mark the burial place of a local chieftain and to act as a territorial boundary marker.

“Much of this cairn, which is now about 11m in diameter, still survives but in recent years it has suffered a lot of disturbance due to people using stones from it to make modern cairns and wind breaks. Another smaller historic cairn lies further along the ridge at Old Pike and that has also lost some of its stones.

“The good views have always been appreciated. The name Beamsley Beacon, recorded in 1667, suggests it was used as part of a signalling system using fire. In 1804, during the Napoleonic wars, the beacon was refurbished and a guard house was constructed to shelter the beacon keeper. Unfortunately, the stone foundations of this building are also suffering from modern stone moving.

“We would urge walkers to resist the temptation to pick up stones and build cairns – wherever they are – because they can unwittingly damage ancient, historically-important sites like this stone mound.”

Local archaeologist Yvonne Luke and YDNPA Dales Volunteers will be dismantling the modern cairns and all but one of the wind breaks at Beamsley this weekend (21st and 22nd of March 2009) and repairing the footpaths to try to stem some of the natural erosion around them.

A temporary poster urging people not to build cairns and explaining why will be put up on the concrete Triangulation Point and will eventually be replaced by a permanent interpretation panel.

A detailed archaeological survey of the hilltop has been carried out and Robert and his team are now appealing for old photographs of the site to help them build up a picture of what it was like in the past.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Robert or other members of the Historic Environment Team on 0300 456 0030.

Drop in for Rights of Way Chat

Horse riders, mountain bikers, walkers and landowners are being invited to have their say about public rights of way at a trailblazing meeting organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) next month. (April 2009)

Matt Neale and Nigel Metcalfe, the YDNPA Area Rangers for Upper and Lower Wensleydale respectively, are hoping for a full house at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes between 6pm and 9pm on 7 April.

“The evening will take the form of a drop-in session where people can have an informal chat about any issues or ideas they may have that may improve access, or to highlight specific problems that they know about.

“These could be anything from a broken stile or gate to ideas about creating new links in the existing network of rights of way.”

“We are always trying to think of practical ways that users can get involved in looking after the National Park and we hope this is one. The session will also give people the opportunity to find out what improvements we’ve carried out in the past year and what our forthcoming projects are.”

The event, which will include free tea and coffee, is the first of its kind and, if there is a response, more are likely to be held in the future in Wensleydale and in other areas of the National Park.

“We hope people will take advantage of the chance to come and talk to us,” Matt said.

Anyone who would like more details can contact him on 01969 666220.

Skipton Bus Station Reopens

Construction of Skipton’s new bus station is almost completed, with the facility re-opening to buses from commencement of service on Monday 19th January 2009. North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council have worked in partnership, investing £1.2 million in this new facility, and offer their thanks to customers and bus company staff for their understanding during the construction period.

Details of the services using the new bus station, and their departure stands, are available here (PDF file).

New Yorkshire Dales Online Shop for walking and cycling maps and guides

Walking and cycling maps and guide books as well as puzzles, toys, and DVDs are now available to buy in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s new online shop.

The Authority’s Retail Services Manager, Kevin Smith, said: “The main idea of the online shop is to enable visitors who may not have had the chance to drop in to one of our National Park Centres, to pick up mementos either for themselves or as presents for friends and family in the comfort of their own homes. And, by providing books and maps online, people intending to visit the National Park will have the chance to plan their visit in advance and hopefully get much more out of it. We are also aiming to expand the product range over the coming months to include clothing carrying the Yorkshire Dales National Park logo.

All purchases from the YDNPA On-Line Shop help to support the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority aims to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of this area, and to promote understanding and enjoyment of the areas special qualities.

The shop can be accessed by clicking on the following link: YDNPA Online Shop

Winter Sunday DalesBus services

Following the great success of the Winter Sunday DalesBus services which have been developed in recent years, an increased range of services will be provided this year. The increased network includes Winter Sunday buses to Malham and Upper Nidderdale for the first time in many years.

In the Nidderdale area, service 24 continues to run unchanged between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge, providing an hourly service on Mondays to Saturdays and four return journeys on Sundays.On the first Sunday of each month through until April 2009, it will be joined by Nidderdale Rambler services 25 and 26. Service 26 will run from Harrogate at 1010 to Pateley Bridge, via Burnt Yates and Brimham Rocks, returning at 1630. During the day buses will run from Pateley Bridge to Middlesmoor at 1100, 1230 and 1530, returning at 1128, 1425 and 1555; and from Pateley Bridge to Brimham Rocks at 1200 and 1500, returning at 1215 and 1515.

In Wharfedale, service 874 from Ilkley to Buckden will operate every Sunday, leaving Ilkley at 1015 and 1415, returning from Buckden at 1155 and 1615. Service 66A from Keighley and Skipton to Grassington will continue to run hourly throughout the day on Sundays, connecting with service 874 at Grassington.

The Cravenlink service between Ilkley and Skipton will also continue running every Sunday throughout the Winter. The 0915 departure from Ilkley will revert to operating via Draughton, instead of Bolton Abbey, providing a connection onto the 0946 train from Skipton to Carlisle.

Service 814 from Bradford and Skipton to Malham will run on the second Sunday of each month from October through until March, leaving Bradford Interchange at the slightly later time of 09:30. Connections are available at Skipton with service 66A to/from Keighley and Grassington.

In Wensleydale services 156 and 157 from Northallerton and Bedale to Leyburn, Hawes and Gayle will continue operating unchanged, seven days a week, throughout the winter months.

The first summer season timetables will start from Easter weekend - for details see the Dalesbus website at www.dalesbus.org

Wensleydale Railway Winter Break

There will be no scheduled train services on the Wensleydale Railway between 5th January and 31st March 2009 (inclusive). Scheduled services will start running again on Wednesday 1st April 2009.

Sunday Buses to Malham

Following a successful summer season, the Dales Experience Bus service to Malham is now running once a month throughout the winter. The service runs on 12th October, 9th November and 14th December 2008, and 11th January, 8th February and 8th March 2009.

This year the service starts at Bradford Interchange, and runs via Shipley and Bingley then direct to Skipton, Gargrave and Malham. The bus leaves Bradford Interchange at 0930 and Skipton at 1030, 1230 and 1530. Return buses leave Malham for Skipton at 1145, 1445 and 1645, and to Shipley and Bradford from Malham at 1645 and Skipton at 1730. Connections are available at Skipton with service 66A to and from Grassington.

To provide a quicker journey Dales Experience Bus service 814 stops only at the following points on the outward journey: Bradford Interchange, Westgate Stop W1, Manningham Lane at Oak Lane, Shipley Market Place, Saltaire Roundabout, Cottingley Bar, Crossflatts Queens Road, Kildwick Skipton Road and then at all bus stops to Malham, Buck Inn.

An adult day return ticket from Bradford to Malham is just £7.50.

Malham is one of the most popular villages in the Yorkshire Dales. The main attractions are the stunning scenery of Malham Cove and Gordale Scar - possibly the two most impressive sights in the whole of the Yorkshire Dales, also within easy walking distance of the village as is Janet's Foss waterfall.

This increased bus service is operated by Jackson’s of Silsden, under contract to the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company with funding from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Red squirrel trail is launched

Red squirrel trail is launched

Red squirrels are the star attractions of a new trail being launched in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in October.

From Monday (October 6), experienced walkers will have the chance to enjoy a 10-mile there-and-back hike to a squirrel view point set up in woodland in Snaizeholme, near Hawes, in the north of the National Park.

There they will be able to watch England’s native red squirrels in a special viewing area created by landowner Hugh Kemp.

The trail to the wood in Snaizeholme has been devised by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) staff in co-operation with Mr Kemp, who has managed the woodland for many years.

Red squirrels are at threat from grey squirrels that were originally introduced into England from North America in the late 1880s, and are now widespread.

Although greys will out-compete red squirrels in mixed and broadleaf woodlands, the main threat comes from the Squirrelpox virus they can carry. They are immune to this virus but it is fatal to the reds.

The viewpoint is at the heart of the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve, one of 16 established across in the north of England in 2005.

Ian Court, the YDNPA’s Wildlife Conservation Officer, said: “It’s very difficult to estimate how many red squirrels there are in the Snaizeholme reserve but they appear to be thriving there, thanks in large part to the enthusiasm and dedication of Hugh Kemp,” he said.

“One of the objectives of the reserves – as well as conserving red squirrels – is to try to make them available to the public.

“We believe that, to get people’s support for the red squirrels and to make them aware of just how much protection they need, we need to give people the chance to see them in their natural habitat.

“We are very grateful to Save our Squirrels, the Wensleydale branch of the Campaign to Protect of Rural England and the Forestry Commission who have contributed towards the cost of the work.”

Matt Neale, the YDNPA’s Area Ranger for Upper Wensleydale, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for walkers to see get to see one of the most threatened species in the National Park. We hope the route will also be used by walkers on the nearby Pennine Way who may want to make a detour to see the red squirrels.”

Mr Kemp said: “We are really proud that the red squirrels are doing so well in our woodland and we wanted to share their success with the public by giving people a chance to see these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat.”

The Authority has produced an audio trail that can be downloaded onto MP3 players and provides walkers with their own personal guided tour of the route, enabling them to learn more about the features around them as they walk. It is intended to be used in conjunction with a leaflet containing details of the walk and a map of the route. All three can be downloaded from the YDNPA website www.yorkshiredales.org.uk.

The trail – which should only be undertaken by experienced walkers with full outdoor clothing and map reading skills – starts and finishes at the YDNPA-owned Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes and crosses open access land with undefined footpaths.

Authority staff will be leading free guided walks to the viewing site on Tuesday 7 October and Saturday 11 October from the Museum, starting at 10am and arriving back at about 5pm. There are 15 places available on each day and bookings can be made at the Museum on 01969 666210. Walkers will need to bring their own food and drink. No dogs are allowed.

There will also be a free talk on red squirrel conservation on Wednesday 8 October at the Museum between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Advance booking is not necessary.

Motorcyclists Urged To Take Safety First Approach

With the days growing shorter and winter fast approaching, North Yorkshire Police is warning motorcyclists to take extra care on the roads.
A combination of poor visibility, high winds and wet or icy road conditions can prove extremely hazardous for those travelling on two wheels.
In the past few weeks there have been a series of serious and fatal collisions involving riders in the county. Whilst it is too early to say if weather or road conditions played a significant role in these individual cases, it is vital that riders are aware of the dangers and take heed.
Chief Superintendent Alison Higgins, who is leading the force’s ongoing road-safety campaign Operation Anvil, said: “Motorcyclists in particularly are extremely vulnerable to the risk of road traffic collisions at this time of year. All it takes is for one tyre to lose grip on a damp patch of road or a painted road marking and the consequences could be severe.
“The advice we offer to riders is to be prepared and adapt to the conditions. If the weather is cold and wet it’s very easy to lose concentration. Therefore make sure you are dressed accordingly and make regular stops to combat fatigue and maintain awareness and reaction times.
“Above all else, use your common sense. If the weather is horrendous and you don’t need to ride, then simply don’t risk it. But if you decide to venture out onto the roads please drive carefully, reduce speeds and watch your braking distances by leaving extra space between you and the vehicle in front.”
Safety advice or motorcyclists:
·          White lines and painted areas in the roads - try to avoid as they tend to be far more slippery than tarmac in the wet.
·          High winds - don’t underestimate the power of the wind. Ride more slowly and take extra care when overtaking goods vehicles or travelling on exposed roads
·          Ice - watch out for hidden patches of ice or frost, particularly in shaded areas on the road where the ice or frost will remain on the ground for longer.
·          Snow - not only will the roads be much more slippery, especially when snow is packed down, but visibility can also be poor. Take extreme caution or avoid altogether if possible.
·          Visors - make sure they’re clean, not scratched or tinted. Consider a visor insert to prevent misting
·          Clothing - never go out riding without the correct clothing. Invest in good quality waterproof gloves, jackets, boots and trousers. Wear plenty of thin layers to trap body heat
·          Service condition - double-check the service condition of your bike before you leave.
·          Lights - ensure they’re all working, that the headlight is correctly adjusted and clean for maximum visibility
·          Tyres - make sure they are correctly inflated and have plenty of tread. Replace them before they get to the legal limit of 1mm
·          Brakes - ensure that they are correctly adjusted and that the brake fluid is above the minimum level
·          Fuel - ensure there is sufficient amount for the journey and that the petrol tap (if fitted) is not set on reserve
·          Chain - ensure it is correctly adjusted and lubricated
Ride according to the conditions and within the law

The Yorkshire Dales, the sixth map in the British Mountain Map series, is now on sale

The Yorkshire Dales, the sixth map in the British Mountain Map series, is now on sale. The map covers over 600 square miles of fresh air and freedom - all on one map.

Designed especially for climbers and hill walkers, the new 1:40,000 scale map of the Dales has been produced by Harvey Maps in association with the BMC and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. It uses contour colour shading for easy identification of hills and valleys, and is printed on polyethylene to make it lightweight, tear-resistant and waterproof. The reverse side of the map contains mountain incident and first aid advice, navigation tips, useful local contact information, and geological information provided by the British Geological Survey.

"I've walked, climbed and potholed all over the Yorkshire Dales and this inspiring and practical map will help you enjoy the fantastic scenery of this unique area."
Alan Hinkes OBE

You can pick up a copy now from the BMC online shop or call the Membership Services Team on 0161 445 6111.

BMC member price - £10.95
Non-member price - £12.95

The award-winning British Mountain Map series also includes maps of the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Dark Peak, Ben Nevis & Glen Coe and the Cairngorms.

Mobile phone technology will aid major road safety campaign

^{The latest mobile phone technology is to be employed by road safety campaigners in North Yorkshire in a bid to keep death and serious injury off the road over the Christmas period.
Animated messages will be flashed to all bluetooth-enabled phones in target areas at key times, warning motorists of the dangers of drink-driving.
The messages will be generated by bluetooth equipment in police patrol cars, and will tell drivers that they run a very real risk of being breathalysed when they leave pubs, clubs and parties.
The campaign was launched on Thursday 27^th November by ’95 Alive', The York & North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership.
Over the past three years, 176 people have been either killed or seriously injured in drink-related accidents on the roads of North Yorkshire. This year’s campaign is on the theme: '176 Reasons ... No Excuses’ for drink driving.
Chris Anderson, Chairman of the 95 Alive partnership, said: “The festive period is a critical time for road safety, with office parties and other social gatherings offering increased opportunities and added temptation to drivers.
“By using this bluetooth technology, we will be able to get the safety message across to people at the moment when it matters the most – when they are in convivial surroundings, and might otherwise be tempted to risk taking a chance. We will emphasise that having just one drink and then driving can lead to injury and death … and to heavy financial penalties and driving bans. It’s just not worth it.”
Acting Assistant Chief Constable Sue Cross of North Yorkshire Police said: "Drink and drug driving is a deadly disregard for human life and is completely unacceptable - both legally and morally.
"Through a combination of education and strict police enforcement, we aim to positively change the attitudes and behaviour of all road users and highlight the very real dangers and consequences of driving when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
"People who take the risk could end up paying for it for the rest of their lives. If a driver is convicted of drink or drug driving they will at best lose their licence and livelihood, but at worse they could kill or seriously injure themselves or someone else.
"Our message is a simple one: If you are drinking or taking drugs during the festive season, or at any other time of the year for that matter, then don't even contemplate getting behind the wheel."
This year’s campaign will also highlight the ‘Des’ initiative – in which people are encouraged to nominate a Designated Driver at social events. Des will be the one to stay clear of alcohol and drive friends home.
A third element of the campaign will concentrate on the message: ‘The Morning After The Night Before’ - highlighting the fact that if you have a few drinks in the evening with friends and family the alcohol still may be in your bloodstream when you get up and go to work. If you drive the morning after, you may still be over the limit, and can still be prosecuted.}

New Offer for MetroCard and Metro Concessionary Pass Holders

Once again anyone with a West Yorkshire MetroCard* or Metro English National Concessionary Passes can enjoy special offers on great days out on the Settle-Carlisle and Morecambe rail lines. And even those with 'bus only' MetroCards can enjoy the special offer too.

From Leeds, Bradford Forster Square or any intermediate Metro station on the Airedale Line, the special offer day return ticket costs just £8.

Before starting their journey people taking advantage of the offer should purchase their special offer ticket from the ticket office, where they will be asked to show their valid MetroCard or Metro English National Concessionary Permit. Tickets can be bought in advance or from the conductor when boarding at unstaffed stations.

Valid on trains run by Northern Rail, the offer runs from Monday 3rd November 2008 to Saturday 14th February 2009 inclusive. MetroCard holders may travel on any day, but Metro English National Concessionary Permit holders may travel on Mondays to Fridays only.

Full details of the offer can be found in a new leaflet available from Travel Centres, rail stations and Tourist Information Centres, or online by clicking here. (PDF file)

This offer is provided by Metro in conjunction with Northern Rail.

* Offer excludes School Plus MetroCard holders.

Settle Area Bus Changes

From 6th October 2008 bus service B1 from Slaidburn to Settle will be extended through to Horton-in-Ribblesdale with a new timetable. Connections at Slaidburn will continue to provide through journeys to/from Clitheroe however most Service B10 journeys will run as service B11 and vice-versa. These changes are required to continue the connections at Slaidburn with the revised service B1.

Service 581 from Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton to Settle and Horton in Ribblesdale will operate only between Kirkby Lonsdale, Ingleton and Settle. A new timetable will be introduced, providing improved connections with service 580 to/from Skipton.

Click here to download the new timetables as a PDF file.

Dales Railcard Offer

Northern Rail have announced details of a £6.00 flat fare offer which will be available to Dales Railcard holders and Friends Gold Card holders from Monday 6th October 2008 until Saturday 7th February 2009.

A new, additional benefit will be available during the first four weeks of the offer: take a friend for the same fare. From 6th October until 2nd November 2008, Dales Railcard and Gold Card holders can be accompanied by another adult at the flat fare rate of £6.00 each.

The offer is for a day return ticket valid on the Settle-Carlisle line including Brampton and Wetheral on the Tyne Valley line and on the Leeds-Morecambe line. The normal Dales Railcard area of travel will apply. Up to four children can accompany Dales Railcard holders for a flat fare of £3.00 each. There are no restrictions relating to time of travel and the offer is available during the Christmas-New Year period.

The flat fare ticket can be purchased from staffed stations on the day of travel or in advance. When booking offices are closed or if you are boarding the train at an unstaffed station, you should purchase your ticket from the conductor on the train.

No further discount for children, concessionaries or railcards is permitted with the offer and it cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion.

More details about the Dales Railcard and Friends Gold Card are available at http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/railcard_info.cfm

Temporary Closure of Skipton Bus Station

Skipton Bus Station is now closed for construction of the new bus station, taxi ranks and car park facilities.

To ensure the safety of passengers and operators using the site North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council have closed the bus station and car park to all vehicles and members of the public.

The work will take around 16 weeks to complete and will provide a much needed and improved facility for Skipton and the surrounding areas.

Whilst the bus station is closed the pick up points for public transport and school transport services will be changed as detailed on this map (PDF file).

Carry on walking in the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) is celebrating the achievements of a flagship project – by making sure people carry on walking.

Over the last seven years, the Authority has encouraged people from ethnic minorities to visit the National Park and become involved in promoting its huge variety of attractions to others in their communities.

The £1 million project, called the Mosaic Partnership, has now officially come to an end in the four National Parks that took part in it – the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, the Peak District and the Brecon Beacons,

But the YDNPA is not stopping there, according to Outreach Officer Catherine Kemp.

“The Mosaic Project’s main objective was to encourage inner city residents to enjoy the UK’s national parks and it has certainly done that.

“It has been a huge success locally involving scores of people from ethnic minorities in Keighley, Bradford and other outside areas coming in to the National Park to go on walks or to look around the villages and the countryside.

”We have recruited Community Champions, who have spent time in the Yorkshire Dales learning about its beauty and its attractions before going back and organising trips here for others in their communities.

“In fact, it has been so successful that we have decided to carry on the work with the Community Champions in Bradford and Keighley in the future”.

Challenges so far this year have included walking up Pen-y-ghent, a geocache trail in Buckden and kite flying. And more events will be planned for next year.

Nurjuhan Ali Arobi, a member of the Bradford community, said: “Mosaic gave me the skills and confidence to promote the Yorkshire Dales and help my community access the National Park.

“Before, we would not have been aware of what was available there in terms of facilities, let alone the sheer natural beauty and that it was a place for us all to enjoy.”

The Mosaic Partnership was hosted by the Campaign for National Parks and has resulted in more than 200 influential leaders of local ethnic minority communities now actively promoting the National Parks in their communities.

Jonathan Shaw, the Minister responsible for National Parks, said: “I think the innovative approach to long-term engagement will be key to attracting minority communities to our National Parks. Active engagement like this within contemporary urban Britain should be held up as a fantastic example to others.”

Anyone belonging to a community group who would like help and advice about bringing groups into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, can contact Catherine on 0800 1 666333 or email catherine.kemp@yorkshiredales.org.uk

New Year's Day Buses and Walks

Most bus services in the Yorkshire Dales won’t be running on New Year’s Day, but the great news is that the Cravenlink service between Ilkley and Skipton will be running.

Services 784 and 884 will be running to a normal Sunday timetable, except that the early morning 08.35 journey from Skipton and the 09.15 journey from Ilkley won’t operate, so the first bus will be at 10.20 from Skipton Station (which will wait for the 10.17 train arrival from Bradford).

Local train services will be running a normal weekday service during the day, providing good connections from Leeds, Bradford and Keighley to connect with the Cravenlink buses.

There’s also a choice of two Dalesbus Ramblers walks to help blow away the cobwebs on New Year's Day: an 11 mile walk from Bolton Abbey to Skipton (to join the walk catch the 10.20 bus from Skipton Rail Station), and a shorter 5 mile walk from Halton Heights to The Strid (to join this walk catch the 11.45 bus from Ilkley). Full details are available on the Dalesbus Ramblers website.

Christmas & New Year Buses and Trains

Bus and train services in the Yorkshire Dales area will be amended over the holiday period. A summary of the main changes appears below, but there may be some local variations, so you are advised to contact your local operator or Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 for full details.

	Buses	Trains
Wednesday 24th December	Normal weekday or Saturday service until around 1800. After this time services will be reduced, with no services after 2000.	Normal weekday service until 2000. After this time services will be reduced, with no services after 2200.
Thursday 25th December	No services in Dales area.	No services.
Friday 26th December	No services in Dales area.	No services.
Saturday 27th December	Normal service.	Normal service, starting from around 0700.
Sunday 28th December	Normal service.	Normal service.
Monday 29th December	Normal weekday or Saturday service.	Normal weekday service.
Tuesday 30th December	Normal weekday or Saturday service.	Normal weekday service.
Wednesday 31st December	Normal weekday or Saturday service until around 1800. After this time services will be reduced, with no services after 2000.	Normal weekday service until 2000. After this time services will be reduced, with no services after 2200.
Thursday 1st January	No services in Dales area, except Cravenlink routes 784 and 884 between Ilkley and Skipton.	Normal service will operate from around 0700.
Friday 2nd January	Normal weekday or Saturday service.	Normal weekday service.
Saturday 3rd January	Normal service.	Normal service.

Georgie Goes To Richmond - 12 Theatre Trips with The Little Red Bus

Georgie, the Little Red Bus is preparing for 12 outings this Autumn. Thanks to funding by NYCC, the Little Red Bus Company and the Georgian Theatre Royal Richmond have teamed up to provide cheap public transport to selected shows this Autumn. Georgie will bring audiences from Wensleydale to Richmond for a bargain £5 booked in advance at the theatre box office on 01748 825252. Georgie calls at Hawes Market Place, Burtersett, Bainbridge (Green), Thornton Rust, Aysgarth (Memorial), Swinithwaite, West Witton, Wensley, Leyburn Market Place, Bellerby and Downholme before reaching Richmond’s theatre in time for a performance.

Passengers benefit from a sociable and relaxed start to their night out without any petrol, parking or drink-driving worries. The bus can be used specifically for the theatre, or to enable passengers to enjoy any other entertainment in town. Georgie’s first outing is on Saturday 20^th September when he leaves Hawes at 6pm, and gathers passengers along the route to Richmond in time for the 7.30 performance of Not About Heroes, the moving story of war poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon by Stephen MacDonald.

Business Development Manager Barry Allen said, “Our first passengers have booked up already after spotting the bus details on our website. Although they live in Dorset, they will be on holiday in Wensleydale and wanted to visit the theatre. We hope locals will use this service too – why not organise a group trip without the hassle of driving, or come on your own and save on the petrol?”
Anyone wishing to use this service must book with the Box Office (Tel 01748 825252) who will advise the exact pick-up and drop-off times. Georgie’s 12 outings include selected evenings and matinees and a range of drama, comedy, music and panto.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!
The full list is: (evening buses) (matinee buses) with timetables available from Box Office 01748 825252
Saturday 20^th Sept – Not About Heroes Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 7.30pm show
Thursday 2nd October – Mikron Theatre Company: Debtonation. Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 7.30pm show
Saturday 18th October – Northern Broadsides: Accidental Death of an Anarchist - Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2.30pm show
Saturday 25th October – Funny Magnet Comedy Club - Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 8pm show
Friday 7th November – RADS: Waiting for Godot - Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 7.30pm show
Saturday 15th November - Northern Broadsides: Heidi – Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2pm show
Thursday 20th November – ROS: In Our Time - Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 7.30pm show
Wednesday 10^th December – PANTO: The Sleeping Beauty - Bus leaves Hawes at 5.30pm for 7pm show
Sunday 14^th December PANTO: The Sleeping Beauty - Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2pm show
Wednesday 17^th December PANTO: The Sleeping Beauty - Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2.30pm show
Thursday 18^th December PANTO: The Sleeping Beauty - Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2.30pm show

More at http://www.georgiantheatre.com/whats_on/Sep2008/heroes.html and http://www.littleredbus.co.uk/latest

Please let us know if you have any questions – request stops MAY be possible along the route but please ring 01748 825252 in advance to check what is possible!

60 per cent of UK population think road user charging is fairer than car tax

^{60 per cent of the UK population believe a system of road user charging, where you pay depending on how much you use your car, is fairer than a fixed car tax, a new poll revealed.}

^{The poll was commissioned by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to accompany today’s launch of its}^{State of the Nation: Transport report}^.

^{The research also discovered that 86 per cent of respondents saw reducing car use as ‘important’ or ‘very important’ in combating climate change and 83 per cent would happily use their cars less if public transport was improved.}

^{Alan Stilwell, Chair of ICE’s Transport Board said:}

^{“The results of this poll are very interesting as it demonstrates the public’s willingness to consider new options to combat congestion and climate change. Road user charging is by no means a silver bullet, but may need to be part of a mix of initiatives that starts shifting the costs of motor transport onto actual journeys, allowing people to make sensible choices about how they travel. If this is offset by reductions in fixed costs such as Vehicle Excise Duty, there is a good chance it will be acceptable to the public.}

^{“Currently, the marginal costs of individual car journeys are very low and what needs to be investigated is how we get to the stage where people are paying less for their car, but more for their journey.}

^{“What is clear – as this latest State of the Nation report shows – is that the two biggest challenges facing our transport system are reducing congestion and cutting CO₂ emissions. Both of these clearly point towards reducing car dependency and at the same time increasing public transport use. The 10 step plan ICE puts forward in the report sets out the direction in which we need to travel to achieve these goals, but all of us – the government and the public – need to play our part.”}

^{The State of the Nation: Transport report has been compiled by a panel of experts and presents the following 10 step plan to cut congestion and reduce CO₂ emissions in the UK:}

^{1. Political consensus on transport strategy}

^{2. A 30-year national transport strategy}

^{3. Integrated transport authorities for urban areas}

^{4. Integrated information on journey times, cost and CO₂ emissions}

^{5. Faster infrastructure delivery}

^{6. Integrated travel services and ticketing}

^{7. Public transport capacity and reputation growth}

^{8. Rail freight and short sea shipping capacity growth}

^{9. Changing public behaviour}

^{10. Spending and funding link}

^{Other key results from the Survey included the following:}

^{86 per cent believed all the money collected from car tax/road user charging should be put back into improving the transport system.}
^{86 per cent believe that public transport costs are either ‘High’ or ‘Very High’.}
^{Over 50 per cent believed a national system of road user charging would make them use their cars less.}

^{Mr Stilwell continued:}

^{“There is no doubt that car travel will continue to play a major part in UK transport. However, a culture of car dependency, and the traffic jams and delays which go with it, is removing the sense of independence that the car once offered. We must redress the balance by thinking creatively about how we can effectively and equitably manage the demands placed on our road network, as well as improving public transport so that we can offer the public a real alternative to car use.”}

^{ICE President, David Orr said:}

^{“Our nation needs a vision for transport, with bold plans to enhance prosperity, to offer real choice for travellers, and to reduce car dependency. We need to see proposals like a step change in local public transport to make it an attractive alternative to the private car; a network of high speed rail lines to move people off the roads and reduce short haul air travel; and road user charging so that motorists see the real cost of car travel depending on location, distance and time of day.”}

Traffic signs in Britain - biggest review in 40 years launched

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton today called on motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, highway authorities and road organisations who are keen to have a say in how our streets will look in the future, to take part in the biggest review of British road signs for 40 years.

The review will ensure that traffic signs keep pace with the latest technology, help to cut congestion and emissions and keep traffic moving safely and efficiently without cluttering our streets.

The review's aims include:

* To consider new powers to reduce street clutter - and ensure out of date signs are removed;

* Look at using new traffic sign technologies that can provide new ways of managing traffic flow;

* Provide better road information - such as up-to-date travel news - to give motorists informed choices about their journeys;

* Demonstrate how effective signing can provide safer roads and reduce accidents;

* Improve road users' understanding of traffic signs and signals.

Rosie Winterton said:

"Road conditions have changed dramatically over the years - and road signs need to keep pace with that change to provide the best information possible to all road users.

"It is vital we help motorists, cyclists and pedestrians understand how to use our roads - improving road safety and helping reduce congestion and CO2 - without cluttering our streets with unnecessary signs."

Road users, highway authorities and organisations interested in streetscape will play a key role in the steering group leading the review.

North Yorkshire Timber Transport Seminar

NORTH YORKSHIRE TIMBER TRANSPORT SEMINAR

As timber extraction continues to be an important part of our North Yorkshire's industry, the transport of timber from forest blocks to the customer is increasingly moving up the agenda for both the timber industry and highways authorities.

This seminar will provide the opportunity for stakeholders to meet and discuss current issues facing the industry nationwide.

Representatives from the timber industry, the freight industry and local government will be speaking at the event, which will include discussion groups looking at more specific examples of developing best practice in timber transport.

This is a free event and will be held at the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre Pickering, North Yorkshire on the 27^th November 2008

For further information, or to book a place, please contact

James Gilroy or Stephanie Christon at North Yorkshire County Council. Tel 01609 534019

james.gilroy@northyorks.gov.uk or Stephanie.Christon@northyorks.gov.uk

Europe Unites Behind Seatbelt Safety Message

North Yorkshire Police joined forces with colleagues across Europe last week (8-14 September) to drive home the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt.

The force took part in the TISPOL organisation’s week-long safety campaign targeting drivers who still, despite widespread publicity, choose to break the law and risk death or serious injury.

TISPOL is the European Traffic Police Network, of which Deputy Chief Constable, Adam Briggs is the current president.

Supported by the “95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, officers working on Operation Anvil, the force’s current casualty reduction campaign fined 100 drivers across the force area during the week-long campaign.

Inspector Dave Brown, Head of Strategic Roads Policing, said: “Although I’m pleased to say this is notable reduction on figures from a similar campaign in February, it is still 100 too many.

“I struggle to understand why people are still prepared to risk the horrific consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. They are extremely easy to use and should be an automatic response as soon as you sit in yours or any other vehicle.

“The wearing of seatbelts became compulsory in 1983, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Figures show that seatbelts save over 2,000 lives each year. It really goes without saying why you should belt-up, even on the shortest journeys. “

“Operation Anvil and the “95 Alive” Road Safety Partnership will continue to educate drivers and enforce the law over the coming months, with the sole aim of reducing casualties on the county’s roads. North Yorkshire has some of the safest streets in the country, our aim is to also have the safest roads.”

Eurostar adds more services to meet fast-growing demand from UK regions including Yorkshire

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train operator that links the UK with continental Europe, is adding an 18th service in each direction on the London – Paris route on Mondays to Thursdays from 8 September 2008.

Eurostar is also boosting weekend services, with up to 20 trains on Fridays from London and Paris and 19 trains from Paris to London starting from 11 July 2008.

Extra trains are being added to meet the surging demand from travellers wanting to travel by 186mph trains to the Continent. Eurostar is seeing growth of more than 100% in some regions north of London, as travellers take advantage of good value through fares, easy connections via domestic rail services to St Pancras International, and the high frequency of Eurostar trains – with rail providing more flexibility and choice than regional air services.

Travellers are also being attracted by the opportunity to see the magnificently restored St Pancras International – now one of the grandest railway stations in the world - which besides its amazing architecture offers a wide variety of shops, bars and restaurants with a truly cosmopolitan ambience.

Eurostar services from St Pancras International travel at 186mph to Brussels, Paris and Disneyland Resort Paris, with a huge range of connections to more destinations across France, and cities such as Bruges in Belgium, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and Cologne in Germany.

The addition of extra trains will mean that there is a half-hourly service between London and Paris during the morning and evening peaks, and close to an hourly service throughout the rest of the day.

Eurostar’s Communications Director, Simon Montague, said: “We are delighted at the growing numbers of travellers from the regions and we will soon be rolling out more through fares with other UK train operators.

The increase in services means we have 24,000 seats available between London and Paris on Mondays to Thursdays, and 30,000 seats on Fridays. We advise travellers to book early to get the best deals.”

Examples of standard option, return fares and fastest journey times include:

Cambridge – Brussels / Paris: £71 return – journey times 3h50 / 4h00

Birmingham – Brussels / Paris: £79 – journey times 4h25 / 4h50

Manchester – Brussels / Paris: £84 – journey times 5h20 / 5h35

Luton – Brussels / Paris: £67 – journey times 3h20 / 3h40

Derby – Brussels / Paris: £79 – journey times 4h25 / 4h50

Peterborough – Brussels / Paris: £77 – journey times 3h40 / 4h00

Leeds – Brussels / Paris: £79 – journey times 5h05 / 5h35

(For travel to Disneyland Resort Paris, and to any station in Belgium, the lowest fares are the same price as for Brussels or Paris.)

High-speed summer: Eurostar sees record passenger numbers in July

Traveller numbers up 16.8% to a record 923,000

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train operator connecting the UK and mainland Europe, today has announced it carried a record number of passengers in July 2008.

Over 900,000 travellers used Eurostar services during July – an increase of 16.8% on the same month the previous year.

Yesterday, Eurostar announced it was adding an 11th daily London-Brussels service, from December 2008, to meet fast growing demand. Passenger numbers on the London-Brussels route have increased by 30% since the launch of Eurostar services on High Speed 1 in November 2007.

Simon Montague, Director of Communications, Eurostar, said: “We are delighted to break another Eurostar record by carrying an all-time monthly high of passengers.

“Eurostar is now attracting new travellers from across the UK and also crucially persuading even habitual flyers to switch from plane to train for their holidays and business trips.”

Malham Tarn Shuttle Bus is back!

The popular Malham Tarn Shuttle bus service is now running on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays throughout the summer, starting at the Easter weekend.

This is the fourth year that the Skipton Building Society has sponsored the environmentally-friendly project, which aims to reduce car congestion and carbon emissions in the Dales.

Running on Saturdays, Sun-days and Bank Holidays until September 28th, and also during the half term weekends of October 25th and 26th and November 1st and 2nd, the service is convenient for walkers and cyclists.

Cara Taylor, sponsorship consultant at Skipton Building Society, said: "This bus service is a great success every year and the society is proud to be associated with it. Let's hope the summer weather is an improvement on last year and even more people take the opportunity to enjoy the Dales."

And Emmeline Butler, local property administrator for The National Trust, said: "We are once again delighted to be able to run the Malham Shuttle Bus service, thanks to continued support from Skipton Building Society.

"Despite the wet summer last year, the bus was a huge success, reducing the number of cars in the Dales and it is evidently a valued service."

Leaflets with full details and a timetable of the bus route are available from the National Park Centre in Malham, Skipton Building Society branches and Tourist Information Centres in Settle, Skipton and Ilkley.

The timetable is also available online, by clicking here.

Sunday Shuttle Bus to Fountains Abbey

The National Trust at Fountains Abbey has provided funding to run a shuttle bus service between Ripon and Fountains on Sundays and Bank Holidays during 2008.

The service will be number 139 and is timed to meet the number 36 bus to and from Harrogate and Leeds, making it really easy for visitors to get to Fountains Abbey on public transport. The overall aim of the service is to get more people leaving their cars behind and coming to Fountains by bus.

This will cut down on car congestion in the area and protect the environment, as well as providing an attractive travel option as petrol and diesel prices continue to soar.

As a further incentive to travel by bus, adults will receive a discount of half price entry to the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, if a valid bus ticket for the date of their visit is shown at admission points.

Chris Fowler, General Manager at Fountains Abbey said:

“We are delighted to be able support a service that allows people to enjoy the outstanding natural beauty and heritage of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal whilst supporting the environment. Caring for the environment and finding ways to combat climate change are real issues for The National Trust and it’s important for us to help where we can with plans for long term sustainability."

Until Sunday 26th October, the service will run approximately hourly throughout the day on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The first bus starts at Ripon bus station at 9.45am, stopping at the Visitor Centre at Fountains and then returning to Ripon bus station.

The bus will then run hourly ‘shuttle’ services on this route throughout the day from Ripon bus station to Fountains Visitor Centre, stopping at Studley Roger and the Deer Park, leaving at 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 14.15pm, 15.15 and 16.15pm.

The last service each day will leave Ripon bus station at 17.05 going straight to Fountains Visitor Centre only, arriving at 17.20pm for a final pick up.

The bus will depart the Visitor Centre at 17.25pm and return directly to Ripon finishing at 17.40pm.

The Ripon Roweller service will also run as previous years from Monday to Saturday and the half price admission offer will also be available on these days, see www.dalesbus.org for details or telephone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

It is hoped that the service will go a long way towards cutting down on the volume of traffic through the surrounding roads, helping to cut down on pollution in the area, as well as making the roads safer and more pleasant for walkers and cyclists.

The Ripon Roweller Fountains Abbey Shuttle Bus service, funded by the National Trust, is supported by the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company and is operated by Little Red Bus.

For further information on the service or to request a timetable visit www.dalesbus.org or telephone Little Red Bus on 01423 526655.

Buses in the Dales on Autumn Sundays

Sunday DalesBus services will operate as follows during Autumn 2008:

DalesBus 874: Ilkley - Grassington - Buckden

- This service runs every Sunday

Cravenlink services 784/884: Ilkley – Bolton Abbey – Skipton

- These services continue to operate every Sunday

DalesBus service 66A: Keighley – Skipton – Grassington

- Service 66A continues to run hourly throughout the day every Sunday

Malham Tarn Shuttle service 809: Ilkley – Skipton – Settle – Malham

- This service runs on 25th & 26th October and 1st & 2nd November 2008

Dales Experience Bus service 8 14: Bradford – Skipton – Malham

- This service runs on the second Sunday of each month until March 2009

Fountains Abbey Shuttle service 139: Ripon - Fountains Abbey

- This service runs every Sunday until 26th October 2008

DalesBus service 24: Harrogate – Pateley Bridge

- Service 24 continues to run four return journeys every Sunday

Nidderdale Rambler service 25: Pateley Bridge - Upper Nidderdale

- This service runs every Sunday until 2nd November, then on the first Sunday of each month until April 2009. The winter timetable is introduced from 5th October 2008.

Nidderdale Rambler service 26: Harrogate - Brimham Rocks - Pateley Bridge

- This service runs every Sunday until 2nd November, then on the first Sunday of each month until April 2009. The winter timetable is introduced from 5th October 2008.

DalesBus services 156/157: Northallerton – Leyburn – Hawes

- Services 156/157 continue to run approx. five return journeys every Sunday

Wensleydale Vintage Tour Bus 127: Ripon – Leyburn – Redmire – Hawes – Garsdale

- This service runs on Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays until 28th October 2008

Hawes is Streets Ahead!

Hawes Is Streets Ahead!

Major success stories in reducing street clutter, improving street design and reinforcing the distinctiveness of our towns, cities and villages have been highlighted by English Heritage’s Save our Streets campaign.

English Heritage has published Streets for All: Practical Case Studies aimed at encouraging more councils and highway departments to follow the shining example of ten outstanding “street-scape” projects from across the country.

They include a scheme to use historic surfacing materials in the beautiful village of Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales.

English Heritage launched its Save our Streets campaign in 2004 and since then many councils have removed unnecessary signs, poles, bollards, barriers and road markings.

In Hawes the cobbled section of the A684 through the popular village was renovated using new pink granite setts, combined with some of the existing historic setts recovered during road works. Considerable effort was made to re-use existing cobbles. This included re-texturing granite setts to achieve adequate skid resistance for traffic. The final scheme saw footways to be widened to accommodate safe use for wheelchair users and carriageway narrowed to encouraged lower traffic speeds. In achieving these aims, Hawes’ unique historic character has been enhanced.

Maddy Jago, English Heritage Regional Director for Planning and Development, said: “The response to our Save Our Streets campaign has been tremendous. Lots of councils are keen to do the right thing, though street improvement schemes can take a long time to achieve. The councils responsible for the case studies we are highlighting today deserve congratulations. They have come up with innovative ways of minimising clutter and enriching the environment. We hope that other councils will be inspired by their example.”

Local authorities are increasingly recognising that improving the streets brings a range of benefits to everyone. Local businesses report better trade, more people are encouraged to walk and cycle, the streets become safer, more sociable places, and the historic character of an area is enhanced rather than degraded.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: "The Department for Transport is committed to helping local authorities create high quality street environments and so was delighted to work with English Heritage on this important Streets for All project. These leaflets provide practical advice for local authorities about the small things they can do to make a real difference to our local historic streets, whether by restoring historic surfaces or removing excessive numbers of lamp posts by fixing lights to buildings."

Streets for All, Practical Case Studies consists of a summary document plus ten leaflets, each on a different aspect of making better streets and each featuring a town or city where this has been put into practice. Aimed at local authorities and highways engineers, each leaflet contains detailed advice on issues to be considered and procedures to go through and lists relevant documents and legislation. They help practitioners understand the key elements that make up successful streetscape management.

The sorts of issues tackled by councils which feature in Streets for All, Practical Case Studies include reducing white lines, putting signs on buildings so that poles can be removed, taking away guardrails which, research proves, can actually make roads less dangerous, keeping historic street surfaces such as cobbles and stone paving flagstones because not only do they slow traffic, but they also “match” the buildings around them and have cultural meaning and memory for local people, introducing tactile paving into historic areas sensitively and even how to carry out a street audit, involving the local community.

Streets for All: Practical Case Studies demonstrates clearly that there is growing momentum behind the movement to improve our streets. In publishing them, English Heritage has the support not only of the Department for Transport, but also of The Institute of Highways and Transportation, CABE Space and the Campaign for Protection of Rural England, which has its own continuing campaign to reduce sign clutter.

Copies of Streets for All: Practical Case Studies, the summary document and ten leaflets, plus English Heritage’s previous publications Save Our Streets and the Streets for All headline document and its nine regional manuals can be found at www.english-heritage.org.uk/streetsforall or requested from English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 3331181, email customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Fuel efficient and Eco-safe driving introduced to test.

From September 10th 2008 new motorists will be advised on how to drive in a way that saves money, saves fuel and cuts emissions as part of their practical driving test.

Alongside this, Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick has also dedicated an extra £3 million to promoting smarter driving techniques that will help all motorists save on fuel costs. It also gives money-saving advice on new car purchasing.

A month's worth of fuel can be saved every year by following these techniques, and motorists could save 3 months' worth of fuel each year if they choose a more fuel efficient model when buying a new car.

Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"To help the next generation of motorists drive in a way that is better for their wallets and the environment, the driving test will now assess how successfully they follow fuel efficient and eco-safe driving advice.

"Common-sense changes can make for major improvements. Drivers can save around a month's worth of fuel each year by taking simple steps, like ensuring their tyres are correctly pumped up, changing gear earlier to keep revs low and avoiding carrying unnecessary clutter in the boot.

"The ACT ON CO2 campaign's smarter driving tips have already proved highly successful and will help even more motorists to save money."

Millions of drivers have already benefited from this advice as part of the Government's successful ACT ON CO2 campaign. This extra £3m will help more drivers conserve fuel, preserve the condition of their vehicles for longer and lessen their impact on the environment.

The latest round of smarter driving tips have just been launched on radio stations across England, and a new television campaign will follow early next year.

Share the road ... and save lives

A new initiative to boost North Yorkshire's highly successful Operation Anvil road safety campaign is being launched this month. Thousands of educational leaflets are to be distributed to drivers and other road users to hammer home the key points which will help to save lives and stop serious injuries on the county's highways.

Operation Anvil, launched earlier this year by North Yorkshire Police with support from 95 Alive – the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership – has already had a major impact on casualty figures. Collisions on the county's roads have fallen by more than 40% since the launch of the campaign, with a cut in the number of fatal crashes of 15%, and a 36% reduction in accidents leading to serious injuries.

Now the Partnership, which includes North Yorkshire County Council's road safety team, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, City of York Council, the Highways Agency, and District Councils, is to distribute thousands of copies of a new educational brochure ... "Share The Road ... and Take Responsibility."

The brochure will be given to drivers who are stopped for any reason during Operation Anvil. It will also be distributed at major events like the Wensleydale Show on Saturday August 23.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Chris Anderson, who chairs the Partnership, said: "The cost to the economy for every road death is in the region of £1.7m. The cost for every serious injury is approximately £200,000. The emotional cost to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have died can never be measured.

"Road deaths and injuries are unacceptable, unnecessary and are preventable. This educational brochure, coupled with the extremely successful measures already adopted in Operation Anvil, will, we hope, help in that prevention."

The North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership is committed to saving the lives of an additional 95 people by the end of 2010, over and above the target number set by the Government.

"Share the Road ... the Facts of Life" highlights key messages on major safety issues such as drink-driving, the use of mobile phones at the wheel, excess speed, the vital importance of wearing a seat belt, and driver fatigue.

"We are simply asking people to think a little differently," said County Councillor John Fort, Executive Member for Road Safety. "Can you honestly say with your hand on your heart that you know the law? By distributing this educational brochure, we hope to give drivers and road users the information they need to make our highways safer for all concerned."

Inspector Dave Brown, Head of Roads Policing in North Yorkshire, who co-ordinates Operation Anvil activities, commented: " The leaflet is designed primarily to inform the public of the reasons behind our actions. It clearly shows the high numbers of motorists who are prepared to disregard the law and the safety of themselves and other road users. It 's about sharing responsibility and raising awareness - casualties are avoidable."

Traffic on minor rural roads is growing the fastest

The Department for Transport has today published the statistical bulletin Transport Statistics: Road Traffic and Congestion in Great Britain Q2 2008 according to arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. This bulletin includes first release of the following National Statistics:
* Provisional estimates for road traffic in Great Britain for the second quarter of 2008
* Provisional estimates for inter-urban congestion in England for the year ending June 2008.
Road traffic
Figures for 2008 are provisional. Final 2008 figures will be published in July 2009 and are liable to differ slightly from the provisional figures.
The provisional figures show a decrease of 0.5 per cent in overall estimated traffic levels between the second quarters of 2007 and 2008.
The bulletin includes breakdowns by vehicle type and road class. Key results include:
Between the second quarters of 2007 and 2008
* Car traffic decreased by 2 per cent.
* Light van traffic increased by 4 per cent.
* Heavy goods vehicle traffic increased by 1 per cent.
* Traffic on motorways was unchanged.
* Traffic on both rural 'A' roads and urban 'A' roads decreased by 2 per cent.
* Traffic on rural minor roads increased by 3 per cent.
* Traffic on urban minor roads was unchanged.
Inter-urban congestion
This quarterly bulletin includes National Statistics on congestion on motorways and trunk roads in England used to monitor the PSA measure on inter-urban congestion. Between the CSR07 baseline year ending March 2008 and the year ending June 2008, provisional figures show that:
* Average vehicle delay on the slowest 10% of journeys fell from 3.95 to 3.86 minutes per 10 miles.

What are the Economic Benefits of Aviation?

Two reports from Great Britain have cast doubt on the economic benefits of aviation. Two reports from Great Britain have cast doubt on the economic benefits of aviation.

A report by the country’s Sustainable Development Commission said airport expansion should be stopped until the link between aviation and economic benefit had been proved – it said estimates of increases in economic activity as a direct result of more air travel had not taken into account the potential losses to activity from cheap flights. A report by the country's Sustainable Development Commission said airport expansion should be stopped until the link between aviation and economic benefit had been proved - it said estimates of increases in economic activity as a direct result of more air travel had not taken into account the potential losses to activity from cheap flights. It also said the impact of aviation’s emissions was still insufficiently understood. It also said the impact of aviation's emissions was still insufficiently understood. And a survey by WWF of 100 leading businesses found that 89% expect they will want to fly less over the next 10 years because of the benefits of videoconferencing. And a survey by WWF of 100 leading businesses found that 89% expect they will want to fly less over the next 10 years because of the benefits of videoconferencing. WWF says if the demand for flying from the business sector goes down, the case for expanding airports starts to look ‘a bit shaky’. WWF says if the demand for flying from the business sector goes down, the case for expanding airports starts to look 'a bit shaky.

Make Your Fuel Go Further

^{Drivers have a unique opportunity to make their fuel go miles further thanks to 'eco-safe' tips offered by Devon County Council.}

^{Using the comprehensive advice, motorists can save between 10% and 25% on their fuel costs - effectively cutting the price they pay at the pumps for petrol to well below £1 a litre (based on current prices).}

^{And there will be benefits for the environment too, as 'eco-safe' driving substantially reduces vehicles' CO}_{² emissions. A reduction of 10% in fuel consumption by private motorists would for eaxample lead to savings in Devon of around 150,000 tonnes of C02, which is equivalent to taking around 45,000 vehicles off the road. These figures would be considerably higher if vans, lorries and buses were included.}

The motoring tips are the latest initiative in Devon County Council's campaign to make Devon the greenest county. It also corresponds with the authority's aim to improve road safety on Devon's roads.

Devon watch a free video entitled 'Eco-safe driving - Making A Difference' on Devon County Council's website at _{www.devon.gov.uk/ecodrivingfilm}

The advice relates to smooth gear changing, braking and acceleration, anticipation of road hazards, tyre pressures and awareness of other road users' behaviour.

Companies with fleet drivers could make big savings on fuel costs, as some are already finding out. Thomas Coles from Management Systems Modelling Ltd in Marsh Barton, Exeter, undertook an eco-driving course himself and was so impressed he put 30 members of his staff on the course.

He said: "We are committed to achieving carbon neutrality and so giving all our team 'eco-safe' driving courses to reduce their CO2 emissions helped us achieve true offsetting. Everybody enjoyed it and even five months later they are still talking about it. The benefit was at least as great for morale as for environmental reasons. A few people also seemed to rediscover elements of the Highway Code!"

_{Councillor Margaret Rogers}_{, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "This is further evidence of Devon County Council making Devon even greener, and helping to reduce carbon emissions alongside other environmentally friendly transport such as cycling, walking, car sharing and public transport. Motorists can make a difference to the environment but there will be knock on effects with less wear and tear on vehicles and, if more motorists adopt this more considered driving style, they will improve their safety, making them less likely to have collisions."}

Restrictions now in force on Yorkshire Dales green lanes

A number of green lane routes in the Yorkshire Dales are now closed to recreational motor vehicles as of 3rd June 2008, in order to protect the natural beauty and amenity of the National Park.

The Access Committee of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) has agreed to impose full-time Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) on eight green lanes following a programme of full consultation. The Orders will be reviewed after five years.

Jon Avison, the YDNPA’s Head of Park Management, said: “We welcome the making of these orders as a way of protecting the area for the future.

“Our officers decided to recommend TROs on these routes following a long process of identifying the effects of recreational motor vehicles on them and on other users.”

Under new powers that came into force on 1 October last year, national park authorities are now able to impose TROs themselves instead of having to ask the local highways authorities to do it. This is the first time that the YDNPA has used its new powers.

The eight routes that are now closed to recreational motor vehicles are:

Street Gate to Arncliffe Cote
Stockdale Lane
Harber Scar Lane
The Highway
Gorbeck Road
Cam High Road (Far Gearstones to Cam Houses)
Old Ing to Cam End (Ling Gill)
Horton Scar Lane / Foxup road

North Yorkshire Police, in partnership with YDNPA Rangers and Dales Volunteers will be proactively policing the TROs and Public Bridleways in the National Park. There have been successful joint actions leading to prosecutions for motorbikes being ridden on Public Bridleways and for 4x4 vehicles being driven on TROs. Officers from the Craven Area and from Richmondshire will be involved in regular patrols and joint operations with park Rangers.

As a warning to anyone thinking of ignoring the TROs, the police, on 23rd May 2008, successfully prosecuted two 4X4 drivers, for contravening a temporary TRO on Cam High Road. Each driver received costs and a fine of £110.

PC Harry Carpenter who has been working closely with YDNPA said: "If members of the public are out in the Dales and come across vehicles being used in an illegal manner then they are strongly encouraged to report the matter to North Yorkshire Police and the incident will be investigated.

“The registration numbers of any of the vehicles is required and although it is not necessary photographs of the vehicles can help."

There are full details on www.yorkshiredales.org.uk which includes details of byways which are open to recreational motor vehicles.

Europarc Award for the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate area has won European recognition for its work in promoting tourism.

And it has now become one of just 48 regions in Europe to receive the prestigious European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas award. It is the first part of Yorkshire and only the sixth area of the United Kingdom to have been recognised since the scheme was launched in 2001.

The award scheme is run by the EUROPARC Federation, an umbrella organisation with its headquarters in Germany that brings together the organisations responsible for the management of over 400 protected areas across the continent.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) applied for the Charter on behalf of the Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate Tourism Partnership (TP), which aims to promote the development of the area as a sustainable tourism destination. The bid was supported by Yorkshire Forward, which leads on tourism in the Yorkshire region.

Partnership Chairman Steve Macare said: “We are delighted with the news. It is a fantastic achievement that will bring benefits to the area.

“This is a culmination of a team effort over the last six months and special thanks must go to everyone, especially the businesses, that took part in the visit by the verifier in April which we understand was very well received.

“However, although the application only took six months, in real terms it’s the recognition of the many years of joint working by local authority and other partners on tourism matters since the mid-1980s

“It will mean a higher profile nationally and across Europe for the area as well as new links to organisations in the tourism sector at local regional and national level as well as opportunities for exchange of expertise and experience.

“It will also enable both the protected areas in the Yorkshire Dales – the National Park and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural beauty – to sign EUROPARC charter partnership agreements with local businesses enabling both parties to benefit through closer working relationships.”

Chris Fowler, Tourism Partnership Vice-chairman and General Manager of The National Trust’s Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Estate near Ripon, said: “This prestigious European accreditation is fantastic recognition for the areas of conservation within the National Trust’s ownership in the Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate area and their contribution to tourism.

“Fountains Abbey and Malham Tarn Estate in particular have excelled in conservation work in recent years, caring for a World Heritage Site and National Nature Reserve respectively.

“As a conservation organisation The National Trust is always pleased when contributions to sustainable tourism are highlighted; thereby raising the profile of nature conservation and environmental practices in the countryside.”

Andy Tordoff, Head of Rural Renaissance and Tourism at Yorkshire Forward said: “The EUROPARC award will help to secure a stronger future for tourism businesses in the Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate Tourism Partnership area. It will provide additional marketing opportunities for businesses and make a positive contribution to this high-quality destination and the wider rural economy in the region”.

The verifier highly praised the National Park Authority’s work on the management of footpaths, green lanes and bridleways and gave a pat on the back to the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

The internationally-recognised European Charter is awarded to protected areas that support “sustainable tourism” – tourism that contributes to local economic development while preserving the area’s natural and cultural resources. Current holders include Spain’s Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada, Italy’s Parco delle Alpi Marittime, as well as the Cairngorms in Scotland and the Brecon Beacons in Wales in this country.

Transport Minister visits the Dales

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton, who is also Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, has paid a fact-finding visit to the Yorkshire Dales to see for herself the challenges in providing public transport for rural areas.

Accompanied by Keighley MP Ann Cryer, she met representatives from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA), the Yorkshire Dales Society (YDS), North Yorkshire County Council and Natural England in Settle to discuss public transport issues in the dales and to learn about the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company – set up by the YDS to promote sustainable travel in the Yorkshire Dales.

The Doncaster Central MP also visited Settle and Malham and discussed the challenges involved in the provision of rural public transport services for local communities and visitors.

Jon Avison, the YDNPA’s Head of Park Management, said: “More than 90 per cent of visitors access the Dales in private cars, creating congestion on the roads and in villages at peak times and, at the same time, creating a huge carbon footprint.

“The provision of a modern, comprehensive public transport service is vital not only to give both visitors and local communities the choice of reducing their carbon footprint but also to provide those without access to private cars with the opportunity to visit and enjoy the wonderful countryside of the Dales.

“The Minister’s visit has highlighted the need for all with an interest in the National Park and the rural economy – both private businesses and public bodies – to work in partnership to achieve this.”

The Minister said: “It was an extremely valuable visit to one of our region's beautiful national parks – it is a gem of Yorkshire and the Humber.

“I held discussion about local public transport, education and rural issues as well as hearing how local partners are working to protect the environment while supporting the local community.”

Fountains Shuttle Bus Season Extended

The Ripon Roweller Sunday shuttle bus service to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal has been extended to run every Sunday until October 26.

The number 139 bus, which is timed to meet the number 36 service to and from Harrogate and Leeds, is designed to get more people travelling to Fountains Abbey by bus. Its extended run is being sponsored by the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's Sustainable Development Fund.

There are two direct buses from Ripon bus station to the Visitor Centre at Fountains Abbey, leaving at 9.45am and 5.05pm. Hourly shuttle services, stopping at Studley Roger and the Deer Park and continuing to the Visitor Centre, depart from Ripon bus station at 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm and 4.15pm.

Direct buses from Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre to Ripon bus station are at 9.55am, 10.45am, 11.45am, 12.45pm, 2.45pm, 3.45pm, 4.45pm and 5.25pm.

Adults receive half price admission to the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal if they show a valid bus ticket for the date of their visit at admission points.

This Sunday service continues until 26th October, whilst the more limited service on Mondays to Saturdays continues all year round - for details see www.dalesbus.org

Drink Drive Menace Targeted Across Europe

North Yorkshire Police have taken part in a European-wide crackdown on drink-driving.

The campaign was part of TISPOL’s European-wide drink driving campaign. The operation coincided with the first full week of North Yorkshire Police’s Summer Drink Drive campaign and formed part of the force’s current road safety initiative, Operation Anvil, supported by the “95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership.

TISPOL is the European Traffic Police Network, of which North Yorkshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable, Adam Briggs is the current President.

Officers breathalysed 315 motorists, which resulted in 9 positive breath-tests. A failure rate of 2.85%.

Chief Superintendent Sue Cross, Head of the force’s Operations Directorate and Operation Anvil lead said: “This is encouraging and suggests that the message is getting through that drinking and driving is both socially and morally unacceptable. However, it is still 9 too many.

“The risks are simply not worth it; the personal cost could mean the loss of your licence, a very heavy fine and the possible loss of your livelihood. A drink-drive conviction remains on your licence for 11 years. This could severely affect your chances of obtaining future employment. Compared to the cost of a taxi, it is a huge price to pay.

“With warm weather, lots of summer events and the start of the European Football championships, we urge people to not mix alcohol and driving. Don’t give in to the temptation to drink and drive, stop and think about the risks.

“A key feature of the campaign is the ‘Designated Driver Scheme’ and I would urge people to take responsibility for their actions and make use of this initiative. Local breweries have pledged their support and will offer discounted soft drinks to anyone wearing a ‘Des’ lanyard.

“My officers will be patrolling the county 24/7 and will come down hard on law-breakers. There will be no hiding place for those who choose to put lives in danger.”

North Yorkshire’s campaign will continue throughout the summer, focusing on events where alcohol is a regular feature, such as barbeques, sporting events and festivals.

The “95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership have secured funding for free barbeque survival packs which are available with the purchase of al-fresco dining products at local supermarkets and DIY stores.

The campaign also places heavy emphasis on the Designated Driver Scheme, including an arrangement with local breweries to supply cut-price soft drinks to all designated drivers wearing the Des lanyard. These are available free from bar-staff and with the barbeque survival pack.

Anvil Sees Road Collisions Cut By Over 40%

Results for the first three months of North Yorkshire Police’s road safety campaign Operation Anvil reveal a reduction in collisions by 41%.

The operation, which was launched on 18 March with the sole aim of reducing deaths and serious injury on the county’s roads, has also seen a 36% reduction in serious injuries and 15% reduction in fatalities, compared to the same period last year.

Inspector Dave Brown, Head of Strategic Roads Policing, said: “I am extremely pleased with the reduction in deaths and injuries witnessed on the roads of York and North Yorkshire during this campaign. We are determined to make our communities safer and reducing collisions supports that objective.

“While the results may just appear to be a number, in reality it means there are 71 fewer families who have not suffered the devastation of the death or serious injury of a loved one on the county’s roads.

“What does concern me, however, is the number of motorists who continue to abuse the most basic rules of the road and are prepared to put themselves and others at risk. The numbers of offences detected does not make good reading and highlights the extent of the problem we need to address. This is not about persecuting innocent motorists - it’s about reducing casualties and dealing with criminality on the road network.”

Chief Superintendent Sue Cross who is heading the operation, said: “These results are testament to the hard work of both my officers and our partner agencies, including the “95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, who provide invaluable support to the campaign.

“Although the collision results are encouraging, we cannot be complacent and our efforts will continue relentlessly throughout the summer months and into the autumn. I appeal to all motorists to abide by the law and stay safe. The alternative is simply not worth the risk.”

Results for 18 March - 16 June

Over 11,879 vehicles stopped

2,656 speeding offences

1,033 seatbelt offences

414 mobile phone offences

224 vehicles found without insurance, of which 208 were seized

60 offences of careless or dangerous driving

178 arrests for criminal offences

105 drink drive offences

1,014 various other offences

Collision data for the period 18 March - 16 June

2007 2008 Reduction

Collisions 276 162 41%

Fatalities 19 16 15%

Serious Injury 187 119 36%

4 July 2008

New Sunday Bus Links to Ingleton and the Ingleborough Area

The Ingleborough Pony is New experimental Sunday bus service, linking rail stations and car parks along the south of the National Park along the A65, to provide a service especially for walkers to and around Ingleborough National Nature Reserve. Ingleborough Pony service 888 will run every Sunday and Bank Holiday from 27th July to 28th September 2008.

Named in tribute to the traditional breed of pony that once worked in the lead mines of the Northern Dales and in packhorse trains to provide essential goods and services to Dales communities, the Ingleborough Pony is an environmentally efficient bus service which connects car parks, rail stations and walking routes.

The Pony gives superb new opportunities for linear walks across Yorkshire’s most famous mountain. It is also planned to encourage walkers to leave their cars at home, by providing a direct link with the famous scenic Settle-Carlisle railway line at Ribblehead to give car-free access to the heart of the National Park - and equality of opportunity for visitors, young and old, without access to a car. There’s also a direct link from Clapham Station on the Morecambe Line as well as from Ribblehead to Ingleton with its famous Waterfalls Walk and White Scar Caves.

The bus also connects at Ribblehead Station with Wensleydale Explorer Bus 807 to/from Aysgarth and Hawes.

Any single journey on the Ingleborough Pony is just £1, children half price.

The Ingleborough Pony bus service has been devised by the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company with funding from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund and Natural England. Click here for full timetable details.

Yorkshire Dales adventure for disabled ramblers

Disabled ramblers will be enjoying some of the sights and history of the Yorkshire Dales National Park next week.

A group of members of the national Disabled Ramblers charity and their support team will be riding their tough, off-road electric wheelchairs over rough terrain and up and down some steep hills during a two-day visit on July 15 and 16.

The event will be the first of its type that the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) has hosted.

Rachel Briggs, the YDNPA’s Access Development Officer, said: “The use of off-road wheelchairs will provide opportunities for people with disabilities to explore parts of the National Park that would normally be inaccessible to them – it’s going beyond the flat, surfaced road we would normally provide for a wheel chair user.

”The visit will help us to improve access for disabled people in these off-road wheelchairs and hopefully it will be the first of many.”

And, as part of National Archaeology Week, the visitors will be given a guided tour of some of the historic treasures along the routes by Robert White, the YDNPA’s Senior Conservation Archaeologist.

“Reeth High Moor contains some extensive lead mines including Old Gang Smelting Mills on which we have done some conservation work, so we will be having a look at them,” he said.

“We will also be looking at some of the multi-period historic landscapes and field systems elsewhere in Swaledale.”

Improved Sunday Bus service to Malham

Following a successful season in summer 2007, the Dales Experience Bus service to Malham is running again from 6^th July.

For 2008 the service is increased to operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday from 6^th July until 14^th September. It is also hoped to be able to provide a monthly service throughout the winter months. This year the service will start at Bradford Interchange, and run via Shipley and Bingley then direct to Skipton, Gargrave and Malham. The bus leaves Bradford Interchange at 0920 and Skipton Bus Station at 1030, 1230 and 1530. Return buses leave Malham for Skipton at 1145, 1445 and 1645, and to Shipley and Bradford from Malham at 1645 and Skipton at 1730. Connections are available at Skipton Bus Station with service 66A to and from Keighley and Grassington.

An adult day return ticket from Bradford to Malham is just £7.50.

The Cove has hosted a pair of peregrine falcons since 1993 and for the last few years, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Yorkshire Dales National Park have run a special viewpoint, as part of the Society’s Aren’t birds brilliant! scheme. Last year, nearly 29,000 people flocked to Malham to watch the birds. A team of RSPB staff, supported by volunteers from the RSPB and National Park, will be on site every day until 27th July and again from 23rd to 31st August to show people the fantastic birds. Optical equipment (telescopes and binoculars) will be provided to help visitors get the most of their visit.

This increased bus service is operated by Jackson’s of Silsden, under contract to the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company with funding from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

New Summer Sunday Bus Network in Nidderdale

The Spring Bank Holiday weekend saw the start of the Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday bus network in Nidderdale.

New for the 2008 season are bus links to How Stean Gorge and Brimham Rocks, although sadly the link from York will not be running this year. These Nidderdale Rambler services are operated by local company AS Coaches of Fellbeck. The popular 10.05 departure from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge is also reintroduced for the summer season.

Service 802 from West Yorkshire is back on a weekly frequency, having run only every two weeks last year. For 2008 this service starts in Seacroft instead of Wakefield, and is operated by Godsons of Leeds. The timings of the outward journey are similar to previous years, but the bus returns half an hour earlier to connect with other buses in Pateley Bridge, and provide a more convenient return time into Leeds.

This year most services have been arranged by the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company, with funding from North Yorkshire County Council, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, How Stean Gorge and the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group.

The Nidderdale Summer Sunday bus network therefore comprises the following routes, running every Sunday and Bank Holiday from 25th May. As in previous years, connections between services are available at Pateley Bridge bus stand providing an increased range of day out opportunities.

DalesBus 24: Harrogate – Pateley Bridge
Nidderdale Rambler 25: Harrogate – Pateley Bridge – How Stean Gorge
Nidderdale Rambler 26: Pateley Bridge – Brimham Rocks – Pateley Bridge/Harrogate
Fountains Flyer 802: Seacroft – Leeds – Otley – Pateley Bridge – Fountains Abbey – Ripon – Leyburn – Richmond

Passengers on Fountains Flyer service 802 can benefit from half price admission to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal and discounted admission to Lightwater Valley, on presentation of a valid bus ticket.

New Sunday Buslink to Wensleydale

A new integrated bus-rail link comes to the Yorkshire Dales with a direct Sunday and Bank Holiday bus from Ribblehead Station to Hawes, Bainbridge and Aysgarth, running until 28th September 2008.
The new Wensleydale Explorer bus will meet morning trains from Leeds, Keighley, Skipton and Settle at Ribblehead Station and offer walkers new opportunities to enjoy linear walks along the Pennine Way or through Upper Wensleydale and Wharfedale.
The new bus is a joint initiative between the Friends of Settle-Carlisle line and the Settle-based Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company, designed to help visitors to the Dales reduce their carbon footprint by offering superb new opportunities for walkers and sightseers without needing to use a car, or who can park at Skipton or Settle.
The bus will provide a morning link from Leyburn and Hawes before meeting the Carlisle train. On the return run back from Ribblehead Station the Wensleydale Explorer bus will continue as far as Buckden to meet the mid morning Wharfedale bus from Ilkley and Grassington, thus providing the core of a fully integrated network of train and bus services into and through the National Park. Late afternoon services will meet buses back to Ilkley and trains back to Ribblehead. Over 60s with permits can use the buses free of charge.
The Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line and Dalesbus Ramblers will be providing a programme of walks from the bus and train services, details of the first of which are available online at www.dalesbusramblers.org.uk
The Wensleydale Explorer will also provide Wensleydale with a badly needed Sunday morning service through to Hawes and also to meet trains to and from Carlisle on the Settle Carlisle line. Bus service 807 will leave Leyburn Market Place at 0910, Aysgarth at 0923 and Hawes at 0945 for Ribblehead to give Wensleydale people and holidaymakers chance to travel on the celebrated Settle-Carlisle railway line for a day in Appleby or Carlisle.
The morning Dalesbus service 874 bus from Ilkley will serve the whole of Upper Wharfedale before meeting the new Wensleydale service at Buckden car park for connections to Aysgarth and Hawes.
Howard Handley, Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group commented, “We welcome this new service which demonstrates the value of integrating train and bus services to offer perhaps the most beautiful rail-road journey anywhere in England. This will be superb new service for walkers. And with rising petrol costs, using the train and bus to reach the Dales increasingly makes sense.”
Details of the new Wensleydale and Wharfedale bus services are available from local publicity outlets or by logging on to www.dalesbus.org

New Sunday Bus Network in Wharfedale and Wensleydale

A completely new pattern of Sunday bus services will be running in Upper Wharfedale and Wensleydale this year, starting at the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

Service 874 will run from Ilkley to Burnsall, Grassington and Buckden, leaving at 1015 and 1415, with good connections from Leeds on service X84. This service will be run by Arriva Yorkshire, and so is able to negotiate the arch at Bolton Abbey and will also be able to accommodate standing passengers should the need arise.

At Buckden connections will be available onto service 808 running to Aysgarth and Hawes, arriving in Hawes at 1242 and 1742. The morning journey then continues to Gayle Mill, and the afternoon journey to Ribblehead to connect with the Leeds train. Service 808 will return from Hawes to Buckden at 1520, connecting with the 1615 service 874 departure to Ilkley.

Through fares will be available between services 874 and 808, with the day return fare from Ilkley to Hawes remaining unchanged at £7.50. Holders of the new English National Concessionary Passes now travel free on all DalesBus services.

The bus operating service 808 will also provide a range of useful new links in Wensleydale. It will set out from Leyburn Market Place on service 807 at 0910 providing an early morning link to Aysgarth, Hawes and Ribblehead. At Ribblehead it will connect with the train from Leeds to Carlisle, and then depart at 1030 for Hawes, Aysgarth and Buckden.

This new network of services has been facilitated by the Dales & Bowland CIC utilising funding from North Yorkshire County Council together with grants from other organisations, including the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group and The Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line.

These new services will replace routes 800, 805 and 806. Additional buses between Ilkley, Bolton Abbey and the Strid will continue to be provided by Cravenlink service 884, which includes an earlier departure from Ilkley Bus Station at 0915, and a later return from the Strid at 1742. Connections will be available at Grassington with service 66A from Keighley and Skipton which continues unchanged, as do services 156 and 157 running from Northallerton and Bedale to Leyburn and Hawes.

Services 807 and 808 will operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until 28th September, whilst services 874, 884 and 66A run on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays all year round.

Parliamentarians welcome Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership's report

A highly detailed, 9-page report prepared by SELRAP at the request of the All Party Parliamentary Rail Group when they met in the Palace of Westminster on March 7, has been welcomed and praised by the APPRG.

“Overcoming Challenges to Rail Reinstatement Schemes: What Parliamentarians Can Do To Help” details the many hurdles which lie in the path of SELRAP’s aim to see the Skipton-Colne railway line re-opened – and ways in which those hurdles may be overcome - as well being relevant to the many reinstatement schemes backed by campaigners and authorities throughout England, but where progress is stymied by the long, costly and tortuous process.

Lord Berkeley, chairman of the APPRG tells SELRAP: “'I read the Report with great interest and believe that it provides an excellent basis for moving forward towards detailed plans and estimates for financing and building this important link. I believe that, if the Skipton-Colne railway were there already with a decent and frequent rail service, it would be increasingly popular with the higher price of fuel and concerns about carbon emissions. It is time to put aside past mistakes in closures and recreate this important link for the local and regional community.'

The main author of the report, Frank Filardo, says: “The APPRG seemed most impressed with our case when we addressed them, and asked us to inform them of the barriers that stood in our way and how they might be overcome by changes in policy or procedure. SELRAP hopes that the report will be widely read in Westminster, and we are discussing ways in which some or all of it might be made available for more general use and information. Certainly, the meeting with the APPRG was most useful for SELRAP and takes our campaign yet anther step forward.”

Cravenlink Bus Service Improved

An extra journey is being provided on the Cravenlink bus service from Ilkley to Bolton Abbey and Skipton, as the service has attracted funding to allow it continue for the next year.

The Cravenlink service was created by the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company in April 2007 with funding from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund. It has proved very popular, and in March 2008 its future was secured for another year with funding from North Yorkshire County Council and Metro.

The service runs on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays throughout the year. A revised route was introduced in December 2007, with most journeys now serving Bolton Abbey, The Strid and Eastby en route between Ilkley and Skipton.

A new 09.15 departure from Ilkley runs on service 884 to Skipton via Bolton Abbey, The Strid, Eastby and Embsay, providing an opportunity for walkers to make an early start on walks in Wharfedale. This journey runs throughout the summer until 28th September, and also on 26th October and 2nd November 2008.

Click here for full timetable details.

National Park welcomes green lane restrictions

Eight ‘green lanes’ in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are to be closed to recreational motor vehicles.

The Access Committee of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) has decided to impose full-time Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) on the routes following a programme of full consultation. The Orders will be reviewed after five years.

Jon Avison, the YDNPA’s Head of Park Management, said: “This is a milestone decision for the National Park Authority. For many years the Authority has been concerned about the effects of recreational motor vehicle use on a number of routes in the National Park.

“New legislation has made it possible for us to apply TROs to eight of these routes. The application of these orders will help to preserve the peace and tranquillity of the National Park and enhance the enjoyment of other users.”

The eight routes that will be closed to recreational motor vehicles are:

Street Gate to Arncliffe Cote

Stockdale Lane

Harber Scar Lane

The Highway

Gorbeck Road

Cam High Road (Far Gearstones to Cam Houses)

Old Ing to Cam End (Ling Gill)

Horton Scar Lane / Foxup Road.

Liftshare.com Ltd receives highly coveted Queens Award

Liftshare.com Ltd has received one of the UK's most prestigious awards for business performance.
The company, whose on-line journey-matching software has helped save UK motorists 50 million car miles, has been honoured with the Queen's Award for Enterprise in its Innovation category.
"Sustainable innovation is what liftshare is all about," said founder Ali Clabburn. "A Queen's Award really encapsulates what we are trying to achieve - our high standards and the effectiveness of our journey-matching software has earned us a reputation as car share pioneers, not only within the UK but globally.
"Every week, we are typically setting up three more companies with liftshare schemes. The Queen's Award will give us a massive boost in building our reputation both at home and abroad."
Now in its 10th year, liftshare has come a long way from its humble beginnings of a university notice board. Ali has grown his student vision into a world leader in the field of on-line journey matching. Over 220,000 people have registered with the network and more than 1,000 local authorities, businesses, universities, hospitals, festivals and other community groups have worked with liftshare to establish their own car share schemes.
An early pioneer of the social networking craze liftshare is now an old hand at bringing people together in order to help them travel more efficiently. A typical liftshare member saves themselves around £1,000 and 1 tonne of CO2 per year by sharing their daily journeys.
"I love it!" says Rhyd Lewis, a liftshare member in Wales. "I effectively get given £3,000 per year to get chauffeured to work and save the planet!"
More information on the annual Queen's Awards is available at www.queensawards.org.uk

Simpler Rail Fares on the Way

Passengers have been asking for simpler rail fares and train operators are responding by introducing a much simpler structure for rail fares across the National Rail network in 2008, it was announced today by the Association of Train Operating Companies. More widely-available discounts for railcards are also being introduced.

These changes were first trailed in the Government’s Railway White Paper, Delivering a Sustainable Railway in July 2007 (See Notes to Editors), which incorporated proposals made by the Association of Train Operating Companies.

The changes mean that three main ticket types for single and return journeys will be available on the rail network. The current names will be replaced by new names.

Simplified in two stages – in May and September 2008 - rail fares, whether single or return, Standard or First Class - will be grouped into the following three categories: Advance; Off–peak; Anytime.

i) From 18 May 2008, all advance purchase fares, many of which are substantially discounted, will be known simply as Advance and have common terms and conditions. Discounts for Railcards will now also apply. At present, discounts on railcards are not available on all advance purchase tickets.

Advance tickets are not a ‘walk on’ fare. They must be booked in advance for a specific train service and are available up to the day before travel. Current fare types that Advance tickets will cover have a wide range of names including Leisure Advance, Business Advance, Value Advance, SuperAdvance, Apex, etc.

ii) From 7 September 2008, ‘walk-up’ fares (i.e. tickets that passengers don’t have to buy in advance) will be grouped into two categories – Anytime or Off-Peak.

Anytime fares (singles and returns) can be purchased right up to the day and time of travel and used on any train without peak hour or any other restriction. Current ticket types that fall into the Anytime category include Open singles and returns.

Off-peak tickets are, as their name suggests, cheaper fares for travelling during periods when train services are generally less busy. They can be bought at anytime for journeys, including day returns, right up until the time of departure but they carry restrictions on the time or day of travel. Current ticket types that will become known as Off-peak include the Saver and Cheap Day Returns.

On some routes, where there are two off-peak fares, the cheaper fares will be called the Super Off-Peak. Current SuperSaver tickets fall into this category.

The new fare categories mean that passengers have only to choose from one of three ticket types when planning their journey and web sites and booking office information will reflect this. The changes are designed to enable people to buy the best value ticket to match their journey more easily.

Passenger feedback and research has suggested that people don’t always find it easy to buy the best value ticket to match their needs because of the range of different fares presently available. The new names are based on market research with customers and the findings are backed up by research undertaken by Passenger Focus, the main national passenger representative body.

Commenting on the changes, David Mapp, Commercial Director of the ATOC said:

“This is the biggest shake up in the fares and ticketing system for many years and we want passengers to take advantage of it and also encourage more people to take the train.

“Passengers have told us that they want a simpler fares system. We are listening and responding. These changes will enable people to buy train tickets more easily and with greater confidence.”

The price of train tickets will not be increased as a result of the new fares structure and the regulation of fares is unaffected.

There are a few ticket types that remain unchanged and which are not included in the new arrangements. (See item 4 in Notes to Editors)

Full details of the changes are being made via leaflets and posters at stations and also on the National Rail website (www.nationalrail.co.uk/simplefares).

Billion Passenger Railway

The use of Britain’s railways, as measured by passenger miles, is now at the highest level ever recorded in peace time, according to figures published today by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) in “The Billion Passenger Railway”. * 30.1 billion passenger miles were generated in 2007 and the railway carried 1.213 billion passengers - an increase of 7.8% compared to the 1.125 billion passenger journeys made in 2006.

George Muir, Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies said:

“The railway brings people together and, as measured by passenger miles, 2007 was a record year.”

“This figure is higher than in 1946, the next highest year. For almost 80 years, from 1919 to 1995, rail travel stayed around 20 billion passenger miles each year; then twelve years ago something fundamental changed and the figure is now 30 billion and climbing. ”

“This growth shows that more train capacity is urgently needed for our passengers, for the economy and for a green Britain.”

The use of the railway was so high in 1946 because Britain was demobilising and returning to civilian life after six years of war. The railways then carried 29 billion passenger miles on a network one third bigger than today’s. (See link to graphic illustrating the strong growth trend).

George Muir added: “2007 was a very successful year for the railway, which was capped by the opening of High Speed 1 to St Pancras International. People are increasingly turning to rail; not only is it a faster and more convenient way of travelling, it is greener than travelling on our congested roads and domestic air routes.”

“Working closely with the Government and our industry partners, train operators are planning for the future when they will carry even more people. For example, work has started on the crucial Thameslink programme which will see more capacity into London from both north and south of London, and the Crossrail Bill, currently before Parliament, will provide much needed capacity on the East-West axis into London.”

* “The Billion Passenger Railway”, published by ATOC today, looks at the future and predicts that trains will be considerably lighter than today’s, reducing energy use per passenger and allowing faster acceleration and braking. Improved signalling will allow more trains to run closer together thereby increasing capacity, particularly on high density passenger routes, and growing the railway even further. High speed rail will help to reduce dependence on aviation for short haul journeys bringing Britain’s regions closer together in a greener reliable way.

Have your say on transport issues in Hawes

A major public consultation exercise is to be mounted by North Yorkshire County Council to give people in the Hawes area the chance to have their say on transport improvement projects.

An initial consulation carried out through Stakeholder Workshops and a sample public survey has identified a number of transport issues which could be addressed.

Now every postal address in the defined area will receive a detailed questionnaire seeking the views of everyone concerned on the issues identified, and improvements designed to tackle them.

Hawes is one of twenty eight ‘Service Centres’ that serve their surrounding areas across North Yorkshire. The Service Centres will benefit from money made available through the Second Local Transport Plan. How the money is spent will depend to a large degree on the local priorities that are identified and the wishes of local residents and stakeholders.

County Councillor John Fort, Executive Member for Highways, said: “This is a way of addressing local needs and reflecting local concerns by involving everyone in the local community.

“We hope that as many people as possible will take the opportunity to express their views on the proposals being put forward. Funds have been specifically identified for the implementation of schemes in the Hawes area.

“Among the proposals being put forward are traffic calming measures, improvements to junctions, improvements to public transport infrastructure and additional facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.”

The full public consultation process begins with the delivery of questionnaires to every postal address within the strategy area. Local residents and members of the business community will be able to visit an exhibition in Hawes Market House, from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday 10^th July 2008, with a further session at Dales Countryside Museum on Saturday 12^th July 2008 between 11:00am and 6:00pm. Staff will be on hand to explain what is being proposed and answer any questions which people may have.

Bus Service X59 Diversion

The A59 Skipton Road will be closed at Kex Gill (between Bolton Bridge and Blubberhouses) for two weeks from Monday 4th August.

Whilst the road is closed buses on route X59 between Skipton and Harrogate will divert via Otley and Ilkley. For further details call Transdev Harrogate & District on 01423 566061.

June walks in the Yorkshire Dales

Summer walks in the Yorkshire Dales

Visitors to the Yorkshire Dales will have a chance to enjoy the summer weather with a series of walks and outdoor activities this month.

The list of events organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is:

13 June: The Victorian Kitchen – The Dairy, Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, 11am to 4pm. Telephone 01969 666210.

14 June: Grassington Heritage Trail – discovery walk, Grassington National Park Centre, 2pm to 4pm. Telephone 01756 752691.

15 June: Bryson's Byways – guided walk, Malham National Park Centre, 11.10am to 3pm. Telephone 01969 652380.

15 June: Following the Sedgwick geological trail – discovery walk, Longstones common car park, 2 miles east of Sedbergh on A684, 2pm to 4pm. Telephone 01969 666210.

15 June: Hay meadows and minibeasts, Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, 1pm to 3pm. Telephone 01969 666210.

15 June: Redmire Force and High Lane – guided walk, West Burton village green, 11am to 4.30pm. Telephone 01969 662910.

15 June: Introduction to digital photography – Computers, Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, 10.30am to 4pm. Telephone 01969 666210.

18 June: Around Calver – guided walk, Reeth National Park Centre, 11am to 4.30pm. Telephone 01748 884059.

21 June: Haymeadows and waterfalls – discovery walk, Buckden car park, 11am to 3.30pm. Telephone 01756 752691.

21June: House history at Hawes – an afternoon of lectures and advice on how to look at the history of your house in conjunction with the North Yorkshire County Record Office, Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Booking essential £8. Telephone 01969 666210.

22 June: Haymeadows and waterfalls – discovery walk, Buckden car park, 11.30am to 3.30pm. Telephone 01756 751690.

22 June: West Burton Circular – guided walk, Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre, 11am to 3pm. Telephone 01969 662910.

25 June: Haymeadows and waterfalls – discovery walk, Buckden National Park car park, 11am to 3.30pm. Telephone 01756 751690.

25 June: Delightful Dentdale – guided walk, Dent village car park, 11am to 4pm. Telephone 01969 666210.

26 June: Wildlife of Snaizeholme – guided walk, Mirkpot House, 2pm to 4pm. Telephone 01969 666210.

28 June: Drystone walling demonstration, Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, 2pm to 4pm. Telephone 01969 666210.

28 June: Grassington in Former Times (Lea Green) – discovery walk, Grassington National Park Centre, 11am to 3.30pm. Telephone 01756 752691.

29 June: Eccentrics and erratics – guided walk, Clapham National Park car park, 1.30pm to 5pm. Telephone 01729 825192.

29 June: Wharfedale Villages – guided walk, Grassington National Park Centre, 11am to 4pm. Telephone 01756 751690.

29 June: Kisdon Classic Circular – guided walk, Farmers Arms, Muker, 11am to 4.30pm. Telephone 01748 884059.

Northern Rail Wins Rail Business Of The Year

Northern Rail has been crowned ‘Train Operator of the Year’ and ‘Rail Business of the Year’ at the prestigious 10^th annual HSBC Rail Business Awards.
The judges praised the north of England operator for its innovation and hard work in making a real difference to the communities it serves since it started three years ago.
Northern, which is owned by a joint venture of Serco Group plc and NedRailways, has successfully attracted more than £60m of external investment to help improve trains and stations and passenger numbers have risen by nearly one-quarter to 80 million per year. The number of trains on time has risen from 83% to nearly 89% over the same period.
The judges said: “We had little difficulty in giving the top marks to Northern Rail. The train operator has faced unprecedented growth (along with the rest of the passenger rail sector) and has had to deal with this without assistance, other than the subsidy agreed when the franchise was awarded to maintain a ‘stand still’ situation.”
“Northern Rail has dealt with the problems in all sorts of innovative ways, including persuading Yorkshire’s regional Development Authority (RDA) to help finance additional rolling stock – something no other RDA in the country has done.
“Northern Rail should be very proud of the way all its staff reacted to this challenge and the high level of service it is providing.”
In addition to winning the two prizes, Northern was highly commended in the ‘Rolling Stock Excellence of the Year’ award.
Heidi Mottram. Managing Director, Northern Rail said: “We are delighted to win these awards. They are fantastic recognition of the hard work put in by everyone at Northern and the huge contribution that our partners have made in helping us to make improvements for customers.
“We are just over three years into our franchise and we are determined to build on our achievements so far and keep improving.”

25th anniversary of seatbelts - 60,000 lives saved

Twenty five years of seatbelt wearing laws have helped save 60,000 lives, Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick revealed today.

Seatbelts have prevented an estimated 60,000 deaths and 670,000 serious injuries since 31 January 1983 when seatbelts were made mandatory for drivers and front seat passengers.

But on the 25th anniversary of the law change all passengers are being reminded to belt up in the back as well as the front. New research shows 9 out of 10 people agree it is dangerous to travel in the back of a car without a seatbelt but only 7 in 10 adults actually wear belts when sitting in the back.

Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"Tens of thousands of lives have been saved since the first law on wearing seatbelts was introduced 25 years ago. Government campaigns have helped increase the numbers of people wearing seatbelts to more than 90% for drivers and front seat passengers but too many back seat passengers are still not belting up.

"With up to 15 drivers and front seat passengers killed each year by the impact of an unbelted rear seat passenger it is vital that everyone - young or old, travelling in the front or back - wears a seatbelt."

The Department for Transport is undertaking a major research project into the use of and attitudes towards seatbelts and will use the findings to inform a new seatbelts campaign which will launch towards the end of 2008.
Seatbelts timeline:

1965: It becomes compulsory to fit seatbelts in the front of cars built in Europe.

1970: "Clunk Click" TV commercials, starring Jimmy Saville show the dangers of being thrown through the windscreen in a collision, as wearing rates are very low.

1983: Front seatbelt wearing regulations for drivers and passengers (both adult and children) come into force.

1989: Wearing rear seatbelts become compulsory for children under 14.

1991: It becomes compulsory for adults to belt up in the back.

1993: "Elephant" TV commercial, shot in black and white, demonstrates the danger presented by an unrestrained back seat passenger in a crash, who can be thrown forward with the impact of three and a half tons.

1996: "Peter Pan" and "Doctor" radio commercials aimed at increasing awareness among children and teenagers are aired.

1998: "Julie" TV commercial comes as a reminder that unbelted rear seat passengers can not only injure themselves, but can also kill other people in the car.

1999: A cinema commercial "Vectorscope" screened nation wide in cinemas along with the "Julie" commercial.

2003: "Backwards" TV commercial demonstrates, with the help of a flying pizza, the difference that a simple click can make between life and death.

2007: "Julie" TV commercial is re-aired to educate a new generation about the importance of wearing a seatbelt in the back of the car.

Seatbelt facts:

* 75 % of passengers thrown from a car die. Unbelted occupants are 30 times more likely to be thrown from a car.

* In a crash at 30mph, if unrestrained, you will be thrown forward with a force up to 60 times your own bodyweight.

* The latest surveys show 93 per cent of adult front seat passengers and 94 per cent of drivers wear seatbelts. For back seat passengers, 93% of children (under 14) and 70% of adults are secured.

* All the safety features you paid for in your car were tested with the assumption you would be wearing a belt. Without a seatbelt, those safety features are not designed to work.

* If you are not wearing a seatbelt and you have a crash, there may be implications for how much your insurer might pay in respect of injuries.

* Once one person puts their seatbelt on, everyone else in the car is more likely to do so.

Bus travel hits 11-year high with a million more bus journeys

A new report launched today from theUK’s leading bus body, the Confederation of Passenger Transport, reveals a boom in bus use is helping to lift doom on the high street with almost a billion bus journeys last year used for shopping.

Smart shoppers are getting back on board the bus in response to increasing congestion, rising parking costs and soaring fuel prices, leaving themselves more cash to splash in the shops.

Released just days after the first reading of the Government’s Transport Bill in the House of Commons, On The Move – New Opportunities, New Passengers also highlights a significant year on year increase in bus travel of three per cent to 4.72 billion. The ‘bus bible’ showcases successful partnerships between local authorities and operators up and down the country that are enticing people back onto the bus.

Significantly, On The Move also heralds the bus as a sustainable form of public transport. Bus operators are continuing to invest in younger models and trialing new low carbon fuels to make their fleets greener.

On The Move facts:

- Shopping mad: More people use the bus to go shopping that anything else, including going to work or to school

- It’s better by bus: 167,000 people work in the bus industry, that’s more than on our railways and airlines combined

- Belt up: Once again the bus is the safest form passenger transport on our roads

- All aboard: More of our fleets are now low-floor access vehicles than standard access

- Kings of the road: 48 billion kilometres of bus journeys were travelled last year –saving 8.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions if the journeys were taken by car instead (figures from transportdirect.info)

Launching On The Move in Leeds today, Rosie Winterton, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “Buses are a vital part of our local transport system. Two thirds of public transport journeys are made by bus, connecting people to essential services, to jobs, to leisure, to friends and family. On The Move is a true representation of the merits of our bus system in the UK and is testament to what can be achieved through vision, partnership and creativity.”

Simon Posner, Chief Executive, Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “For the second year in a row bus use is on the rise. On The Move illustrates the great strides made in many parts of the country to provide passengers with the high quality bus services they deserve. It is no coincidence that where strong partnerships exist between operators, local authorities and other stakeholders, the results are the most rewarding. Voluntary and statutory bus partnerships have shown it is possible to ensure that ‘putting passengers first’ is not just a contrived ideal, but a benchmark the public transport sector is committed to working towards.”

SELRAP presents its case at Westminster

Three members of the SELRAP committee traveled to London on March 10 to present the case for re-opening the Skipton-Colne railway line to Members of both Houses of Parliament.
The group, headed by chairman Derek Jennings and including Andy Shackleton and Frank Filardo, addressed the All Party Parliamentary Rail Group in Committee Room 7 of the Palace of Westminster, quite an imposing venue and audience for a volunteer campaign group!!
Some of the audience are seen in our pictures (2 attached), both of which show, from left to right: Gordon Prentice (MP for Pendle), Lord Tony Berkeley, Lord Bruce Grocott, Norman Baker MP, Lord Richard Faulkner and Kelvin Hopkins MP. SELRAP chairman Derek Jennings is seen on the far right of picture /2: the pictures were taken by Andy Shackleton – and note that the group are holding copies of SELRAP’s eye-catching ‘CravenRail’ newsletter!! Among others attending was Skipton and Ripon MP David Curry.
Derek Jennings comments: “SELRAP’s campaign is really hitting the high notes, and we are increasingly recognised in high places as a more than just a volunteer group. The impact created by the campaign goes far beyond what one normally associates with such groups. Andy did his usual expert presentation on our campaign and we were then able to answer Members’ questions and discuss our aims further. SELRAP is very grateful to Gordon Prentice for having set up this meeting, and we are sure it will lead to a far better understanding of the case for re-opening the Skipton-Colne railway within Westminster, where our impact will grow over the coming months.”

Spring DalesBus Services

The Easter weekend sees the start of several seasonal bus services in the Yorkshire Dales.

Sunday and Bank Holiday DalesBus services will operate as follows during Spring 2008:

DalesBus service 806: Seacroft – Leeds – Ilkley – Cracoe – Grassington – Kettlewell – Aysgarth – Hawes

- Service 806 operated on the following dates only: Sundays 23rd March, 6th April & 20th April 2008

- A revised bus service from Ilkley and Grassington to Buckden, with links to Hawes, will operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from the May Day weekend - click here for details.

Cravenlink services 784/884: Ilkley – Bolton Abbey – Skipton

- These services continue to operate every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday

- From 23rd March 2008 a new 09.15 departure from Ilkley will run on service 884 to Skipton via Bolton Abbey, The Strid, Eastby and Embsay (the 08.05 service X84 bus from Leeds connects with this service at Ilkley Bus Station)

Malham Tarn Shuttle service 809: Ilkley – Skipton – Settle – Malham

- This service runs every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 22^nd March 2008

DalesBus service 66A: Keighley – Skipton – Grassington

- Service 66A continues to run hourly throughout the day every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday

DalesBus service 24: Harrogate – Pateley Bridge

- Service 24 continues to run four return journeys every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday

DalesBus services 156/157: Northallerton – Leyburn – Hawes

- Services 156/157 continue to run approx. five return journeys every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday

Wensleydale Vintage Tour Bus 127: Ripon – Leyburn – Redmire – Hawes – Garsdale

- This service runs on Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 18th March

- For the 2008 season, one journey extends to Garsdale

Cumbria Classic Coaches 569: Ravenstonedale – Kirkby Stephen – Hawes

- This service runs every Tuesday from 25^th March

All other weekday bus services in the Dales continue unchanged.

Wensleydale Railway Reopens

The Wensleydale Railway will reopen on Saturday 1st March with a new timetable, offering you nearly an extra hour in Wensleydale. Trains run between Leeming Bar, Bedale, Leyburn and Redmire.

Services will initially run on Saturdays and Sundays, and will also operate on Tuesdays in April, May, June and October. During school holidays and throughout the months of July, August and September trains will operate seven days a week. A steam-hauled service is likely to operate from early August until mid September. Click here for full timetable details.

The railway has also arranged a programme of guided walks, with two led by local author David Joy. Some of these walks require pre-booking - details on the Wensleydale Railway website.

The Wensleydale Vintage Bus will restart on 18th March running on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, running from Ripon to Redmire, Hawes and Garsdale, connecting with the Wensleydale Railway.

New Bus Service Links Grassington with Harrogate and Ripon

A new bus service is providing weekday links between Wharfedale and Nidderdale from 7th January 2008. The new service links Long Ashes Park, Grassington and Hebden with Harrogate and Ripon, running via Stump Cross, Greenhow Hill and Bewerley.

The buses will initially run on Mondays to Fridays during School Terms only, but if they prove popular they may be extended to also run during the school holidays. The services, numbered 11 and 12, are operated by Little Red Bus of Harrogate.

Local OAP passes are valid for free travel on the new routes. The maximum adult day return fare is £6.00.

Click here for full timetable details.

Winter Guided Walks

A varied programme of free guided walks, all accessible by public transport, is on offer in the Yorkshire Dales every Sunday during the Winter months.

The walks are organised by Dalesbus Ramblers, and are designed to have easy connections with bus services 66A (from Keighley and Skipton), 806 (from Leeds, Otley, Ilkley and Grassington) and 24 (from Harrogate). The walks vary in length from 3.5 to 14 miles, and some walks are graded as easy and suitable for newcomers to country walking whilst others are more strenuous and suitable for experienced walkers.

Full details of the walks are available online at www.dalesbusramblers.org.uk

A word in your ear about the Yorkshire Dales

Visitors to the Yorkshire Dales can now enjoy their own personal guided walks to help them explore some of the National Park’s past.

Latest technology means they can download free MP3 audio trails as podcasts and print off maps so they can walk a route and listen while the features around them are explained as they go.

Last year the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) teamed up with Drystone Radio and the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line to launch an audio trail around one of the most famous National Park attractions – the Ribblehead Viaduct.

The Authority funded the production of the trail while Drystone Radio staff gave their technical expertise and the Friends devised the route and contributed to the historical information about the building of the viaduct and the railway construction camps around it.

The trail – that can be downloaded from the Authority’s Out of Oblivion website at www.outofoblivion.org.uk – proved to be such a success that the YDNPA and Drystone went on to produce three more podcasts covering Malhamdale, Lower Wharfedale and Ribblesdale.

And a fourth, looking at Swaledale, is now available.

Karen Griffiths, the YDNPA’s Interpretation Officer, said: “People often walk in the National Park without realising the importance of what is all around them or under their feet – without understanding the thousands of years of history and archaeology.

“The audio trails are a great way of finding out more about different features ranging from ancient burial sites through to 18^th century farmhouses – you have your own personal guide bringing history and archaeology alive.”

The trails are part of an Authority drive started last year to try to reduce the number of new interpretation panels – boards placed on site explaining the immediate surroundings – being installed in the National Park because of the visual impact they have on the environment.

As well as that, the trails mean the YDNPA can reduce the amount of paper it uses because it does not need to produce hundreds of leaflets to accompany the walks – visitors wanting to use them just print off what they need at home.

More rail stations to be made accessible

Rail Minister, Tom Harris, today announced additional funding for upgrades to railway stations across England and Wales, to make rail travel more accessible for disabled and older people and parents with pushchairs.

The Department for Transport's £370m Access for All programme funds the redevelopment of station infrastructure to provide step-free access from the station entrance to platforms, in addition to a range of more accessible facilities, such as improved lighting, hearing induction loops and passenger information screens.

Forty more stations, including Stalybridge, Rotherham, Walthamstow Central, Peterborough, Hemel Hempstead, Canterbury West, Alnmouth and Severn Tunnel Junction, will benefit under Main Scheme funding, paving the way for obstacle-free routes to be installed. A new selection of stations in Scotland will also be announced by DfT in due course. Network Rail will carry out feasibility studies at each station over the next 18 months to determine what changes need to be made, before they launch into the design and construction of the enhanced facilities. The upgrades are planned for completion between 2012 and 2015.

In addition, the Department will contribute £6.5m from the Small Schemes fund towards a £16.7m total investment, match-funded by train companies and local authorities, to upgrade facilities at a further 223 stations during 2008/09. This funding is set to deliver a wide range of infrastructure including more ramps and lifts, blue badge parking spaces, and improved passenger information systems. The Small Schemes programme is forecast to continue every year until 2015.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said:

"More people than ever before are taking the train but for some it can be like facing an obstacle course. That is why we have already invested £18m under Small Schemes funding to update train stations and make catching a train as easy as possible. I'm happy to announce this latest tranche of stations to receive Access for All funding, which will make a significant improvement to people's journeys."

Robin Gisby, Network Rail Director of Operations and Customer Services said:

"These essential new facilities will make station and platform access much easier for existing and new passengers, particularly people with disabilities, those carrying heavy luggage and parents with prams. "Our dedicated project team will conduct feasibility studies to identify the improvements necessary to provide level access. These could include, for example, lifts or ramps to subways and footbridges."

Station in the Travel Dales Region Include

Baildon, Ben Rhydding, Bingley, Bradford Forster Square, Bradford, Interchange, Brighouse, Burley in Wharfdale, Crossflatts, Frizinghall, Guiseley, Ilkley, Keighley, Menston, Saltaire, Shipley, Steeton & Silsden,Cononley, Skipton,

New round of green lane consultation begins

Grassington, 5 February, 2008.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority begins the latest round of consultation on Friday (8 February) on proposals to restrict recreational motor vehicle access to eight ‘green lanes’.

The proposals for the ‘green lanes’ – routes that are unsurfaced – are the result of an extensive review of the National Park’s network of routes.

This began with a desktop exercise looking at all 102 routes which remained after the changes brought in by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act.

In all, 28 have initially been identified as, potentially, being highly sensitive to recreational motor vehicle use. Fifteen have been looked at in detail so far and it is being proposed that eight of them could be made the subject of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which would restrict their use by recreational motor vehicles.

Jon Avison, the YDNPA’s Head of Park Management, said: “The orders are being proposed for the purposes of preserving and conserving the benefits and the natural beauty of the areas through which these routes pass.

“A first round of consultation with land owners, parish councils and some other organisations has already taken place and the decision of the YDNPA’s Access Committee last month (January) was that the second round – which will enable other groups and individuals to comment – should begin.

“The comments received will be considered by the Committee and a decision on whether or not to make the TROs will then be made.”

The routes which would be affected by the proposed orders are:

· Gorbeck Road and Stockdale Lane between Settle and Malhamdale

· Foxup road between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Foxup

· the Cam High Road between Far Gearstones and Cam Houses and a connecting route to Old Ings

· Street Gate near Malham Tarn to Arncliffe Cote

· Harber Scar Lane between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and High Green Field

· The High Way between Cotterdale and Hell Gill Bridge

Further information on the proposals can be found at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/green_lane_management and the documents are available for public inspection during office hours at the YDNPA offices in Bainbridge and Grassington.

New Passenger services to London begin Tuesday 18th December

Grand Central's long-awaited passenger services from North Yorkshire to London Kings Cross will begin on Tuesday (18 December).

The first direct passenger train from Wearside to London for almost 20 years will leave Sunderland at 06.46 hrs on Tuesday, reaching Kings Cross at 10.32 hrs. It will return at 16.50 hrs from the capital, and is scheduled to reach Sunderland at 20.35 hrs.

Until the delivery of its remaining fleet of passenger vehicles, an interim weekday timetable will then commence, with a daily departure (Monday to Saturday) from Sunderland for London at 06.46, returning from Kings Cross at 16.50. There will also be a service at 11.27 from Kings Cross to York (arr. 13.19), returning from York at 14.10 (arriving in London at 16.05).

Due to engineering work on the East Coast Main Line over the Christmas period, Grand Central services will not operate on 23/24/25/26 December. Services will resume on 27 December, with a 12.30 hrs service from Sunderland to London and the full service of three trains per day in each direction is expected to be launched in the second half of January.

All Grand Central's Sunderland to London services will call at Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe (for Teesside), Northallerton, Thirsk and York. After the Christmas/New Year holiday period, they will all feature a full restaurant service, open to both first and standard class passengers. Free wi-fi connection throughout the train will be fitted in January.

The new Grand Central services will open up new journey opportunities to the capital for passengers from Sunderland, Hartlepool, Teesside and York, and providing an opportunity for business and leisure travellers from the South East to make direct journeys to the Tees Valley and Wearside.

For up-to-the-minute details of the interim timetable, and information about buying tickets for Grand Central services, customers are advised to visit the Grand Central website: grandcentralrail.com

Our team has worked extremely hard to reach the point where we are at last able to offer our first scheduled passenger services. I would like to thank them for their hard work and commitment and also to thank all our potential passengers for their forbearance, and for the many messages of support we have received in recent weeks.

After the regrettable delays caused by late delivery of our rolling stock fleet, following its refurbishment, I am confident that we will now be able to provide the service which people in Wearside, Teesside and North Yorkshire have been patiently awaiting.

Tom Clift
Managing Director
Grand Central Railway Company Limited

Revised Highway Code unveiled

The first revised Highway Code in eight years has today been unveiled by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick. The updated Code offers the latest road safety rules and advice, as well as promoting greater courtesy and understanding among all road users, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

A new Safety Code for Novice Drivers, to help motorists better navigate their first few months behind the wheel, has also been added. It offers practical advice like "If you are driving with passengers, you are responsible for their safety. Don't let them distract you or encourage you to take risks" and "Never show off or try to compete with other drivers, particularly if they are driving badly".

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"The Official Highway Code is for life, not just for passing your driving test. It is a crucial tool for all road users - car drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians alike - and applies to every stage of your life. Road safety is a responsibility we all share and everyone should have a copy of the Code to keep their knowledge up-to-date.

"However, we know that the first few months after passing your driving test can be a risky time. This is reflected in the latest Code which offers practical safety advice and reminders of the rules new drivers must abide by."

The Code has also been updated to include new legislation that has been introduced on vehicle emissions and smoking in vehicles that are work places, as well as the provision of new stopping/directing powers to VOSA and Highways Agency Traffic Officers. Alongside this, it references new initiatives like Quiet Lanes, High-occupancy Vehicle Lanes, Home Zones and Active Traffic Management schemes that people should be aware of, as well as increasing, re-writing or enhancing existing advice to promote greater co-operation between road users and further promote safety.

The Code is substantially updated every 8-10 years. The last significant revision was in 1999.

1. The Highway Code celebrated its 75th birthday in 2006. When it was first launched in 1931 - at the cost of one old penny - there were just 2.3 million motor vehicles in Great Britain, yet over 7,000 people were killed in road accidents each year.

2. It is the official guide to using the roads safely and legally. It has contributed enormously to road safety and reliable road transport. However, every day, on average around nine people are killed and around 80 are seriously injured in road collisions. So it is as important as ever that all road users, including drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians, should update their knowledge of The Highway Code.

3. Much of the advice in The Highway Code has changed and evolved over time by necessity. The basic advice in a Highway Code of 30 years ago may not be applicable today, given increased traffic volumes; larger, faster vehicles; more complex road layouts; updated/new road signage and markings; and many other factors.

4. All road users have a responsibility to ensure their knowledge is updated, in order to adjust their awareness and actions appropriately, for the benefit of others and for their own safety.

5. The new Code was drawn up following a public consultation which resulted in 26,963 comments being received, all of which were considered and evaluated by the relevant groups within DfT and DSA before the final wording was decided.

6. The revised Code has increased in size by approximately 50%. It includes 29 more rules than previously and many other rules have been increased, rewritten or enhanced to make things much clearer for all road users on how they should act or react in a variety of situations.

7. The Official Highway Code is published by The Stationery Office Ltd (TSO) and is priced at £2.50. Visit http://www.tsoshop.co.uk/highwaycode or call 0870 600 5522. Copies are also available from all good High Street and online bookstores The Code is also available for free at http://www.direct.gov.uk/highwaycode.

8. For the first time TSO are publishing The Official Highway Code on CD-ROM. The new, interactive version, launching in November 2007, will feature a range of interactive quizzes and games to test knowledge and understanding of the rules of the road.

Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

National Park Campaign to Help Off-Roaders

North Yorkshire Police and Rangers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) will be monitoring routes being used by off-road vehicles during the winter months.

The joint action days will take place on public footpaths, bridleways and byways in the National Park and are aimed at raising awareness of new legislation relating to drivers of motorbikes and 4x4s for recreational purposes.

Matt Neale, the Authority’s Area Ranger for Upper Wensleydale, is co-ordinating the exercises, which will also involve the police checking bikes and other vehicles to make sure they are legal as well as taking action where clear breaches of the law are committed..

“Off-roading is probably one of the most sensitive issues for national parks in terms of recreation,” Matt said.

“Even a small number of bikes in the wrong place can have a serious effect on both sensitive habitats and the peace and tranquillity of the area – just two of the special qualities of the National Park that so many people come here to experience.

“There is now plenty of information available explaining exactly where off-road enthusiasts can go and what is legally required of them, so there is no excuse for people to ride or drive in areas where they have no legal rights to take recreational vehicles.”

Last month (October) the YDNPA announced the publication of a new, free trail bike leaflet that has been produced in partnership with the Trail Riders Fellowship, Natural England, the North Yorkshire and Cumbria county councils, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty and North Yorkshire and Cumbria police.

It explains where and how trail bikers can use the byways and unsurfaced, unclassified county roads and it sets out the legal issues involved and the ways in which riders can help minimise the effects of their sport on the wildlife, the landscape and other users.

The leaflet, called ‘Trail Riding in the Yorkshire Dales’, can be obtained from some petrol stations and cafés in and around the National Park and on the website http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/trail_riding_leaflet_-_2007.pdf

Specific route information can be found by contacting Matt Neale on 01969 666220 or at www.yorkshiredales.ork.uk/green_lane_management

The police would also welcome reports of illegal off-roading incidents from members of the public. These should be handed into local police stations in Grassington, Settle, Ingleton, Hawes and Leyburn.

Winter DalesBus Services

Whilst the seasonal summer bus services in the Yorkshire Dales have yet to start for the 2008 season, most bus services in the area continue unchanged into the winter months. For a list of the main all-year bus routes click here.

The Winter service on DalesBus route 805 came to an end on 30th December. Unfortunately the current operator is unable to continue the service into the New Year, so the service will be replaced by Dalesbus 806, running on selected Sundays until the start of the summer season.

If you live in the Keighley or Skipton area you can also join DalesBus 806 by catching a connecting bus on service 66A. This service from Keighley and Skipton to Grassington continues to run hourly throughout the day on Sundays, leaving Keighley at 0945 and every hour until 1545, returning from Grassington at 1055 and hourly until 1655.

The Cravenlink service between Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Embsay and Skipton is running a slightly revised timetable from 9th December 2007, with buses also serving Eastby and The Strid. This service has proved very popular and is already carrying on average of over 70 passengers each day, allowing the operating season to be extended for longer than originally planned. The future of the service beyond March 2008 is however dependent on local authority funding being made available.

The Sunday bus services in Nidderdale (route 24 from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge) and Wensleydale (routes 156/157 from Northallerton and Bedale to Leyburn and Hawes) are now well-established year-round routes so will continue running throughout the Winter.

Service X80 from Preston and Clitheroe to Skipton will continue to operate on Sundays throughout the Winter months for the first time this year, connecting with service 66A at Skipton.

Cravenlink Bus Reprieved and Extended

Thanks to financial support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and North Yorkshire County Council, the popular Sunday 784/884 Cravenlink bus between Ilkley and Skipton will continue to operate every Sunday throughout the winter months.
The Settle-based Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company, which operates the service, has resolved to carry on with the service, despite serious gaps in funding which still have to be filled.
“The service is proving a real success with local people,” comments Colin Speakman of the Yorkshire Dales Society who are backing the project. “We have extended the service between Embsay and Bolton Abbey by operating on the back road via Eastby, Halton Heights, Barden Scale and the Strid to Bolton Abbey, thus giving far better access into the National Park and lots of wonderful new winter walking opportunities, including Barden Moor Access Area and the beautiful Strid Woods.
“With so many regular passengers now using and depending on the service, we felt it was essential to keep the service running during the winter months”.
A spokesman for the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group welcomed the news that the service is to be extended. “We know that many people have found the Cravenlink service very useful to help them visit the Dales, to go shopping or to church and to connect with other buses, so it’s great to hear that the service will continue until after Easter. However, we would really like to see Metro and North Yorkshire County Council make a financial commitment to secure the long-term future of the service.”
Travel on the service is free to North Yorkshire and Metro Senior Concession pass holders and bargain family tickets are available on the service. There will also be a new late bus back from Bolton Abbey to Ilkley at 1748. For detailed times see www.dalesbus.org/cravenlink.

9 out of 10 support move to free England-wide bus pass

New research reveals that more than 90% of those entitled to the free England-wide bus pass are eagerly awaiting its introduction on April 1st 2008.

The current bus concession scheme for older and eligible disabled people will soon be extended to provide free local off-peak bus travel anywhere in England and, according to a recent independent survey for the Department for Transport, is expected to bring significant benefits to those who plan to make the most of it. The findings reveal that of those who responded:

* 91% of people aged 60 or over, or eligible disabled, support the new pass.

* 79% of those aged 60 or over believe it will provide greater independence with many planning to use it to visit shops outside their local area.

* 68% of respondents believe that pass holders will save more than £10 per month, with half of those believing the figure could be over £20.

* 70% of eligible disabled respondents will use the pass to keep in touch with friends and relatives no matter where they are.

Launching a new £1.5 million publicity campaign in York this morning, Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said:

"I am delighted that so many people are looking forward to the new concession. This is such an important scheme because the new pass offers not only greater freedom and independence it can also offer significant savings when visiting friends, services and places of interest outside of their local area.

"How people will use it is down to them of course, but our aim is to make sure that the millions of passengers who have a pass are fully informed about how they can make the most of it from April 1st."

The distinctive advertising campaign, which prominently features a 'destination anywhere' bus stop design, will appear in national and consumer press throughout the coming weeks as well as at bus stops and onboard bus services until late March 2008.

Plans for New Skipton Bus Station

The reality of a new bus station for Skipton has moved a step closer with the publication of draft plans for the scheme by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) and Craven District Council. Consultation undertaken as part of the Skipton Traffic Management Strategy confirmed that people wanted the bus station to stay at its current site at Waller Hill. The plans which have now been produced show a completely new layout for the area which combines an improved bus station with car parking and a taxi rank.

Key features of the new layout are:

Seven bus stands, including provision for community transport vehicles and National Express services.
Each bus stand provides easy access to buses from raised bus boarder kerbs.
Covered waiting facilities with seating.
New toilet facilities.
Improved CCTV
Taxi rank for 13 vehicles
Cycle stands
Motor cycle parking

Members of the public are invited to view the plans at an open day from 2-7pm at Contact Craven reception in Skipton Town Hall on Wednesday 10th October where representatives from NYCC and Craven District Council will be on hand to answer questions.

Details of the proposals are also available online, with information on how you can comment on the proposals.

Bus passengers asked for views on new champion

Proposals to create a bus passenger champion were published by Transport Minister, Rosie Winterton.

The new champion would provide a more influential voice for bus passengers, who currently have no formal national representative.
To ensure the champion meets the needs of bus passengers the Department for Transport today launched a public consultation on the plans.

Rosie Winterton said:
"Two thirds of all public transport journeys are made by bus but currently bus passengers have no single formal representative to stand up for their interests. It is time that changed.

"The new bus champion will have a high profile role, representing bus passengers across England to make sure they are getting the service they deserve. It would ensure passengers' voices are heard when key decisions are being made and also put forward ideas about services for the future.

"We are already planning to give local authorities more powers to improve bus services in their areas through the Local Transport Bill. I hope that this, combined with the creation of the passenger champion, will help encourage more people on to the buses which in turn will reduce congestion and help tackle climate change."

Notes
1. The consultation paper, "Options for strengthening bus passenger representation" has been published by the Department for Transport.
It can be found on the DfT's website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/buspassenger/

2. The consultation runs until 17 March 2008.

3. The consultation examines whether a stand-alone bus body is the best approach or whether the role might be given to an existing body such as Passenger Focus. Any new body would need to reinforce, not undermine, existing non-statutory bodies which represent bus passengers' interests.

4. Bus patronage figures by region can be found on the DfT website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/public/annualbulletins/publictransportstatsbul07

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Rail study launch brings acclaim from MPs

A new independent study into the re-opening of the Skipton-Colne railway line was launched by SELRAP at a briefing in Skipton. The audience heard totally positive support voiced by all the speakers, including two Members of Parliament. SELRAP, the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership campaigns for the re-opening of this line as part of the national network.

Produced by the Leeds office of the national firm JMP Consulting in full compliance with Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines, the study looks at the costs and benefits associated with the re-opening. It concludes that the scheme would be financially viable, with a benefits to cost ratio high enough for the rail industry to take the idea seriously. In addition the report identifies and quantifies other aspects which would make the re-opened railway even more beneficial to the local communities.

The briefing event was firstly welcomed to Skipton by Councillors Manuel Camacho, deputy chairman of Craven District and Eric Jaquin, deputy mayor of Skipton Town, whose two councils have always been fully supportive of the restoration of the railway to Colne.

After presentations by three SELRAP committee members, on the history of the campaign and the “JMP report” itself, the audience, made up largely of representatives of local and regional government, the rail industry and the press, heard from the line’s two Members of Parliament, the Rt Hon David Curry (Conservative, Skipton and Ripon) and Gordon Prentice (Labour, Pendle), as well as from Pendle Borough Councillor Sonia Robinson, and prospective parliamentary candidate for Skipton and Ripon, James Keeley (both Liberal democrats).

Says SELRAP’s chairman, Derek Jennings: “The new report, with its excellent findings, takes our campaign for the restoration of this crucial missing link between Lancashire and Yorkshire to a new level. The quality of the audience at our Briefing and the very strong support voiced by those who spoke is a real sign of how seriously the proposal is now being taken.”

The report’s cost of over £10,000, was met by several sponsors and by donations from SELRAP’s own membership.

Through-fares from York and Leeds to continental Europe now available on eurostar.com

Through-fares from York and and Leeds to continental Europe now available on eurostar.com

Eurostar, the high-speed international train operator, today (18 December 2007) announced that travellers from 68 towns and cities across Britain can now buy through-fares to Paris, Disneyland Resort Paris, Brussels (as well as any station in Belgium), and 75 connecting destinations in France at www.eurostar.com.

Eurostar.com is linked with the ticketing systems of seven UK train operators including Virgin Trains, First Capital Connect, National Express East Coast, East Midlands Trains, Chiltern Railways, Hull Trains and London Midland, making international rail journeys to mainland Europe easier and more seamless.

Travellers in cities such as Leeds, Leicester, Cambridge, York and Birmingham can now simply go to eurostar.com and book one fare valid for the entire journey from their local mainline station to their continental destination. They then collect their tickets from the self-service ticket machines at the station just before starting their journeys.

Travellers can also start their bookings on First Capital Connect and East Midlands Trains websites, from where they will be directed to eurostar.com.

Standard class, return fares to Paris, Brussels and Disneyland Resort Paris start from just £67. There are up to 17 connecting rail services a day to Paris and up to 10 a day to Brussels.

Through-fares also include travel on London Underground for those passengers needing to transfer from Euston and Marylebone stations to St Pancras International.

If travellers miss a train due to a late-running connecting service, they will be able to travel on the next available Eurostar or domestic train at no extra cost.

Through-fares are available up to 84 days in advance in line with the standard booking horizon of UK train operators. Travellers without website access can also purchase tickets via Eurostar’s Contact Centre on 08705 186 186.

Eurostar and UK train operators will extend the range of through-fares to the stations of more British cities in mid-to-late 2008, as well as extending sales to more websites. They will also launch through-fares from continental towns and cities for business travellers and holidaymakers heading inbound to destinations across Britain.

Metro Offer on Settle-Carlisle and Morecambe Railway Lines

Once again anyone with a West Yorkshire MetroCard* or Metro Concessionary Permit can enjoy special offers on memorable days out on the Settle-Carlisle and Morecambe rail lines. And even those with 'bus only' MetroCards can enjoy the special offer too.

From Leeds, Bradford Forster Square or any intermediate Metro station on the Airedale Line, the special offer day return ticket costs just £7.

Before starting their journey people taking advantage of the offer should purchase their special offer ticket from the ticket office, where they will be asked to show their valid MetroCard or Concessionary Permit. Tickets can be bought in advance or from the conductor when boarding at unstaffed stations.

Valid on trains run by Northern Rail, the offer runs from Monday 12th November 2007 to Friday 15th February 2008 inclusive, but not on Saturdays, Sundays or when the services are affected by engineering works. Metro advises people to check their website or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 for details of planned engineering work.

Full details of the offer can be found in a new leaflet available from Travel Centres, rail stations and Tourist Information Centres, or online by clicking here.

Enjoying one of Britain’s most scenic railway journeys is just one of the benefits of being a West Yorkshire MetroCard or Concessionary Permit holder.

This offer is provided by Metro in conjunction with Northern Rail.

* Offer excludes School Plus MetroCard holders.

Rail Industry Company Corus to Help Wensleydale Railway

A major rail industry company, Corus Railway Infrastructure Services, is to sponsor the surveying and engineering design work for a new-build section of the Wensleydale Railway (WR) in North Yorkshire.

Wensleydale Railway, which re-opened to passengers in 2003 after half a century, is rail-connected to the East Coast main line, so trains can travel from one railway to the other. However passengers cannot travel between the five WR stations and the county town of Northallerton because the short section of track linking the line into the station platform at Northallerton was taken up many years ago.

First to hear news of the Corus offer were WR’s shareholders at their recent annual general meeting. A spokesperson from Corus said, “Corus Railway Infrastructure Services is delighted to support the Wensleydale Railway with the offer of engineering support for the Northallerton Link.

“As a design consultancy business specialising in rail, Corus Railway Infrastructure Services (CRIS) understands the importance of rail links to economic development and regeneration, and appreciates how vital the Wensleydale Railway is to the people of Wensleydale and its visitors. With its head office in York, many CRIS staff have a personal interest in the Northallerton Link.

“The CRIS sponsorship package offers its staff’s time on a voluntary basis, with access to any company resources needed. It will be a great project for CRIS staff, particularly the younger members, giving them a firsthand feel for the challenges involved in planning, financing, designing, building, operating and maintaining a railway.

“The project will be dedicated to Clive Roberts, a much-missed CRIS colleague from its York office.”

Clive Roberts was one of the founders of the WR re-opening project and its first engineering director, for five years from 2000-2005. He died tragically young in 2006, in his mid-forties, and was well-known among Corus colleagues for his professional work, including the Sunderland Metro extension. This was a major engineering project, of special significance to Clive, because of the positive benefit to his home town of Sunderland..

Welcoming news of the Corus offer on behalf of the Wensleydale Railway, director of Communities and Regeneration Ian Sesnan said:

“Making the connection between Northallerton station and the Wensleydale line will open up

many new journey possibilities as it will bring WR’s remaining five miles of line between Leeming Bar

cont….

and Northallerton into regular use. This will link Wensleydale once again with the East Coast main line, making ‘green tourism’ easier and enabling the people of the dale easier access to the goods and services in the market town of Northallerton.”

Currently the Wensleydale Railway runs passenger services for 17 miles from Leeming Bar (close to the A1/A684 junction) to Redmire, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The long-term aim is to rebuild 18 miles of track westwards through Aysgarth, Askrigg and Hawes to Garsdale, thus re-connecting the East Coast main line with the renowned Settle-Carlisle railway, 40 miles away.

Wensleydale Railway plc’s chairman, Mrs. Ruth Annison, said this week: “Coincidentally, the company is advertising a new post of full-time General Manager, so this will be a demanding and challenging time for the new member of staff when appointed.

“The company has seven part-time paid staff and more than 300 working volunteers, who operate and maintain the railway and provide customer services such as catering and shops at Leeming Bar and Leyburn. We are looking for someone who can lead an enthusiastic work force of paid staff and many volunteers whilst at the same time opening up new business to support the expansion of the line. Meanwhile we are extremely grateful to Corus for taking this initiative which is so important to the future of the Wensleydale Railway and the wider community.”

Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership welcomes inclusion in Network Rail Business Plan

SELRAP, the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership, warmly welcomes the inclusion of the possible re-opening of the Skipton to Colne railway line in Network Rail’s new Strategic Business Plan.

The Plan, published last week, reviews the current rail network and details schemes and initiatives which are set to be implemented between 2009 and 2014, known as Control Period 4.

The Skipton-Colne line falls into Network Rail’s North West Region, and in the section of the Business Plan devoted to that area, it says:

“There may be a business case to reopen the Skipton–Colne line and this is being progressed by a number of interested stakeholders. This would not be straightforward as not all of the land is in railway ownership, but it would bring benefits through reduced journey times between Nelson and Leeds.”

Responding to this excellent news, SELRAP’s chairman, Derek Jennings, says:- "Inclusion of the possible re-opening of the Skipton-Colne line in Network Rail's Business Plan is another landmark for the SELRAP campaign. We look forward to working closely with Network Rail and the many other stakeholders in the project in moving the scheme forward. I am sure that SELRAP, with more than 300 paid-up members and with the widespread support it has from communities, local authorities and elected politicians can also make a real difference when it comes to assessing the project's viability and the group will do all it can to help ensure the Skipton-Colne line re-opens as soon as possible".

Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan was published at the end of last week (November 1, 2007). It can be downloaded from Network Rail’s web site, this quote is taken from “Route 23 – North West Rural”.

The 11.5 mile Skipton-Colne line closed to traffic in 1970. Its re-opening as part of the national rail network - which is SELRAP’s core aim - would open up modern, fast and environmentally-friendly travel opportunities for business, commuting, and leisure purposes across the Pennines. The campaign has widespread support (see SELRAP’s web site) and is perhaps the most pro-active and best-supported rail re-opening campaign in the country.

For more about SELRAP see www.selrap.org.uk

Well over 200 people packed on to the 0958 for Skipton at Colne Railway Station on Sunday, 28 October ready for a 150-mile highly-scenic round trip on only the second train to link the towns in 37 years.

The train, specially chartered from Northern Rail by SELRAP, carried the headboard ‘The Missing Link 2 - Going Extra Miles to Bridge The Gap’ thus highlighting the fact that the direct rail route between the towns, closed in 1970, was just 11.5 miles each way. SELRAP - the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership - aims to see the former Skipton-Colne railway line re-opened as part of the national rail network.

Outbound, the train took the shortest available route, reversing at Blackburn and Hellifield and taking 100 minutes to reach Skipton. A modern train on a re-instated direct line could do the journey in under 15 minutes. After a two-and-a-half hour break to enjoy Skipton’s many delights, ‘Missing Link 2’ made a non-stop 25-mile run to Leeds in just 28 minutes, and then reversed in Bradford and Burnley before arriving back at Colne just after 4pm.

The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Alan Buck was joined on the journey to Skipton by the Mayor of Skipton Town, Councillor Carole Manley. At Skipton, both Mayors made short speeches emphasising their councils’ support for SELRAP’s aims, and noting how the re-opened ‘Missing Link’ would aid employment, inward investment, tourism and the environment.

SELRAP chairman Derek Jennings said after the trip: “Just like the first Colne-Skipton charter we ran last April, ‘Missing Link 2’ was a grand day out for our supporters, and, with the weather being so kind to us, everyone was able to enjoy some superb scenery from the comfort of a train. There was a marvelous atmosphere on the train all day.

“The Mayors of Pendle and Skipton Town were most generous in their words of support for our aims and SELRAP looks forward to continually working closely with these two councils, and indeed all the many bodies related to our aims. But most of all, “Missing Link 2” highlighted perfectly the value such a short stretch of track – just 11.5 miles – would be in forging a modern trans-pennine public transport link. SELRAP would also like to express its thanks to all at Northern Rail for their help in making this a truly memorable day.”

New Rail Link to the Dales

A new train operator will provide new links to the Yorkshire Dales with a daily service from London and Sunderland to York and Northallerton from December 2007.

Grand Central aims to deliver a high quality, affordable and accessible train service to communities across the North of England who are remote from direct services to London. Grand Central’s timetabled service from Sunderland to London, now expected to commence in December 2007, will run as follows:

	Mon – Sat			Sunday
	A
Sunderland	0646	1230	1730	0910	1342	1842
Hartlepool	0706	1253	1755	0934	1406	1906
Eaglescliffe	0726	1315	1814	0955	1432	1925
Northallerton	0747	1336	1835	1023	1454	1946
Thirsk	0756	1345	1844	1032	1503	1955
York arrive	0818	1407	1903	1048	1526	2011
York depart	0822	1410	1906	1050	1531	2015
Kings Cross	1031	1605	2108	1307	1742	2232
			B
Kings Cross	0804	1127	1650	0853	1358	1853
York arrive	1006	1319	1844	1114	1622	2105
York depart	1014	1322	1847	1117	1629	2108
Thirsk	1029	1337	1903	1133	1700	2125
Northallerton	1038	1346	1915	1146	1715	2136
Eaglescliffe	1057	1403	1933	1202	1733	2153
Hartlepool	1116	1423	1955	1221	1806	2212
Sunderland	1150	1450	2035	1252	1841	2238
A – The Zephyr		B – The 21st Century Limited

These services will provide many new journey opportunities for communities along the routes, as well as providing improved access for visitors to the Dales. There are regular buses along Wensleydale seven days a week from Northallerton Station.

Further details are available on Grand Central Railway's website.

Personal travel planning can cut car use by 10%

More people walk, cycle and use public transport after using personal travel planning schemes, research unveiled by Transport Minister Rosie Winterton shows.

PTP encourages people to consider alternative transport options to the car. Research shows it can reduce the number of car journeys drivers make by 10%, and the overall distance travelled by car by 11%. It also offers value for money for local authorities, giving an average £30 return on every £1 invested over a 10-year period.

Speaking at the fourth annual Smarter Choices Conference in Nottingham, Rosie Winterton said:

"Lots of people would like to use their cars less and sustainable transport more, but need some help to get them started. This research shows that where local authorities have worked innovatively to tell people about alternative travel options, walking, cycling and the use of public transport have been boosted. This can only bring benefits by cutting congestion, improving people's health and reducing pollution.

"I am also launching the new Essential Guide to Travel Planning to encourage employers to develop sustainable travel plans for their businesses. Well-designed plans can reduce the number of people travelling to work by car by 15%, potentially avoiding millions of car miles, and more and more businesses are waking up to the benefits travel plans can offer.

"Having a travel plan is a win-win for the environment, for business and for individuals and I am confident that this new guide will inspire even more people to put one in place."

Personal travel planning (PTP) techniques involve alerting the public to alternative transport options to the car, either by personal visits to targeted households by travel advisors or through local marketing campaigns.

The Essential Guide to Travel Planning - produced for the Department for Transport's National Business Travel Network - acts as a 'one stop shop' for advice to employers about creating a travel plan and replaces the previous Travel Plan Resources Pack for Employers and will be made widely available to employers across the country.

Advice for dog owners in the Yorkshire Dales

Advice for dog owners in the Yorkshire Dales

Dog owners planning walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park during the August Bank Holiday week are being reminded to take extra care around cows and their calves.

The advice follows several reports of walkers being surrounded by cattle in different parts of the National Park.

Jon Avison, Head of Park Management with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “Everyone knows that cattle are very curious about dogs and will gather in a group and follow one, which can be an unnerving experience for the dog and its owner.

“Added to that is the fact that cows with young calves are – like almost any animal – naturally protective of their young so, when you put the two together, you have a potentially dangerous situation for walkers and their dogs.

“The advice is always to keep your dog on a lead and to avoid going near cattle if at all possible – and never walk between a cow and its calf.

“If they do start to follow you and get too close, let the dog go – it can run faster than you and the cattle will follow it.”

Dales Rail Operator Wins Public Transport Operator of the Year Award

Northern Rail has been voted public transport operator of the year in the National Transport Awards 2007.

The judges praised the company, which runs local and regional trains across the north of England, for its success in attracting 20% more passengers since it started in 2004.

Northern Rail, together with West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive,

Yorkshire Forward and other partners, also won the transport team of the year award for a joint £20m project to introduce extra trains to meet growing demand in Yorkshire.

Heidi Mottram, Managing Director, Northern Rail, said: "These awards are fantastic recognition of the hard work of everyone at Northern Rail and our partners in the two and a half years since we started operating. I would also like to thank passengers for their support for Northern Rail, particularly during the recent severe weather."

The judges chose Northern Rail as public transport operator of the year in front of two other train operators and two bus companies.

They said: "The Northern Rail joint venture of Serco and NedRailways successfully combined two rail franchises and has presided over rising customer satisfaction.

"The company joined forces with local councils to improve and refurbish stations in the area, helping to achieve big increases in passenger numbers."

Professor David Begg, chair of the judging panel, said: "Northern Rail is the best rail operator in the country this year.

"It has achieved a substantial growth in the number of passengers travelling on its trains."

Northern Rail received the awards at a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 17th July.

National Park Authority says thank you

National Park Authority says thank you

Farmers and landowners have been given a big thank you for their help in the on-going development of a 52-mile section of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail through the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Gareth Evans, the YDNPA’s Pennine Bridleway Project Officer, said: “The farmers and landowners have played a vital role in enabling us to open up the trail through the National Park.

“We would not be able to do it without their involvement and co-operation and we are very grateful for their continued support.”

Work on the route has ranged from improving some existing stretches of public rights of way to creating new ones.

Gareth and his team are working towards a target of opening 88 per cent of the stretch through the National Park by next April and all of it by 2009.

Steve Macare, a YDNPA Member and chair of the Pennine Bridleway Steering Group, said: “The development of the National Trail has proved an exciting and challenging project that has involved a wide range of issues.

“More than 70 per cent of the route is now available for use to National Trail standard and we are very pleased with the progress being made.

“We would like to thank the YDNPA, Natural England and other partners for the success so far and we are very grateful to the landowners, farmers and parish councils involved in the project for their help and co-operation.”

Background

The Pennine Bridleway is a new National Trail in the north of England, being planned and designed specifically for horse riders, off-road cyclists and walkers to enjoy. It will eventually run from the High Peak Trail in Derbyshire to Byrness, Northumberland, a distance of 560km (350 miles) and is due to be opened as funding allows.

Its creation has been made possible to date mainly through financial support from Natural England and a Sport England award of £1.8 million.

The section through the National Park is being funded by Natural England, with support from the YDNPA and North Yorkshire County Council, with additional funding from Yorkshire Forward.

The first section of the Trail in the Yorkshire Dales National Park – the Settle Loop – was opened in August 2005 and has already proved to be hit with users.

The 10-mile (16km) circuit starts and finishes in Settle and stretches east towards Malham. It was created to provide a day trip excursion for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers wanting to spend time exploring the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales rather than just passing through on their way up or down the Trail.

In 1986, Mary Towneley rode from Derbyshire to Northumberland to highlight the state of the country’s bridleways and support the need for the Pennine Bridleway National Trail. A circular route, called the Mary Towneley Loop, includes Hebden Bridge and Todmorden and forms part of the 130 miles of the route already open to the public.

Anyone wanting more information about the Pennine Bridleway National Trail can visit its website at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway.

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas.

It conserves and enhances the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. It increases opportunities to make the natural environment an enriching part of people's everyday lives, and improves its long term security by contributing to the sustainable management of our natural resources.

Cravenlink Bus Service Extended

The Cravenlink bus service between Skipton, Embsay, Bolton Abbey, Addingham and Ilkley has been extended to continue running every Sunday until at least the end of March 2008, and will also serve The Strid and Eastby from 9th December.

The trial service was originally planned to finish in early November, but it has proved so popular with an average of over 70 passengers using the bus each day that the funding has stretched to allow the service to continue longer. The service is operated on behalf of the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company by Jackson's of Silsden, with financial support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund.

The Cravenlink bus service not only provides useful connections between Ilkley, Addingham and Skipton, it is also very useful for providing access to the various attractions along the route, including Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, Bolton Abbey and The Strid. Click here to see the Cravenlink timetable.

A programme of Sharing the Dales Guided Walks has been organised linked to the new service, aimed at people who do not generally visit the National Park, especially people without access to their own car. The walks are all free, and vary in length between around three and seven miles. Click here for details of the walks programme.

The organisers of the Cravenlink service are hopeful that the service will become a permanent facility, but the future of the service beyond March 2008 is currently dependent on obtaining financial support from the local authorities.

National Express awarded contract for growth on InterCity East Coast

The Department for Transport has announced that NXEC Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of National Express Group, has been awarded the contract to operate services on the InterCity East Coast rail franchise.

The franchise comprises of services connecting London with Scotland via Peterborough and the north of England. It will start on 09 December 2007 until 31st March 2015, with the last 17 months conditional on set performance levels being reached.

£1.4bn (NPV) will be paid over the life of the franchise in premium as a contribution to DfT’s rail budget.

The contract will deliver:

The current (May 2007) timetable, which includes Leeds half-hourly services, until 2010. From December 2010, there is provision for up to 25 extra train services - around 14,000 seats - each weekday. Up to 40 more carriages will be brought into use to deliver increased capacity
Included within this, a new London - Lincoln service will operate at 2 hourly intervals. A new London - York service will also operate at 2 hourly intervals and will call at intermediate stations
Faster journeys: London - Leeds services in 2 hours, London - York in 1 hour 45 minutes, and more London - Edinburgh trains taking around 4 hours 20 minutes
Better performance, so that 9 out of 10 trains run on time. NXEC is committed to reducing its delay minutes by 29% by the end of the franchise
Environmental benefits, including a commitment to reduce fuel consumption per passenger kilometre by 28% over the franchise term, designate four ‘green stations’ and £400, 000 invested in reducing energy use at station and depots
A simpler website that will highlight the cheapest tickets available and the expected seat availability on each train. Smartcards introduced by 2010
£7.4m to upgrade stations. Up to 2000 more car parking spaces to be provided by the end of the franchise with half of these expected within the first 2 years
On board trains, Wi-Fi will be free in Standard Class and full dining services reatined on 87 weekday trains

Rail Minister Tom Harris said:

"We want to grow and develop our rail network. In our White Paper we set out plans to deliver increased capacity, better performance and improved connections between key towns and cities. Franchise awards are already delivering these benefits.
“Passengers travelling on the East Coast Main Line will see similar enhancements. There is provision in this contract for extra services and fewer delays. NXEC will also invest in stations and on-board services.”

Overall, regulated and unregulated fares together are likely to rise by RPI + 1.6% each year throughout the course of the franchise.

The Government will continue to limit annual rises of regulated fares - which include season tickets and saver fares - in line with national policy, which is currently RPI+1%.

As with all franchises, unregulated fares will be the responsibility of the operator. NXEC have indicated that they may wish to raise unregulated fares by an average of 2.1% above inflation each year over the course of the franchise.

Rural bus put on endangered species list

The rural bus will become an endangered species unless action is taken now by central and local governments, Campaign for Better Transport revealed today with the publication of a report and case studies on rural buses.

The case studies reveal the hidden problem of rural bus cuts and the devastating impact the cuts have on people and communities: elderly villagers left isolated, schoolchildren left without a school bus, hospital visitors and workers left without a public transport option and tourists inconvenienced by rerouted buses.

The report shows how the Government can grab the opportunity to revive and strengthen the fragile and endangered rural bus – by giving local authorities more powers over buses, creating a more stable and secure funding regime and establishing a bus passenger watchdog.

Cat Hobbs, the group’s public transport campaigner, says “If the Government doesn’t act now, the countryside will become a ghetto for the rich, completely inaccessible for those without cars. Through its local transport bill, the Government is focusing on improving congestion and buses in cities, but it can’t afford to ignore buses in rural areas. Good rural buses need to be an alternative for people with cars as well as a lifeline for those without.”

Case studies, covering every region of England: http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/system/files/Rural_buses_case_studies_0.pdf

Report:

http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/system/files/rural_buses.pdf

Play England Promotes better mobility, transport and travel for children and young people

Places to Go is a National Children’s Bureau and Play England project aimed at changing policy and practice so that children and young people can have more opportunities to enjoy their local streets and neighbourhoods, and to have better access to travel and transport.

Travelling is an integral part of daily life for children, young people and their families, allowing them to access learning, work, play and childcare facilities, health, shops, social and cultural activities. Travelling around is an intrinsically enjoyable activity for many children and young people. It provides them with the opportunity to explore their local environment, independently or with others, through outdoor play or just ‘hanging out’.

Children and young people are as such, significant stakeholders in the public realm, where they play or meet their peers, and as pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. Too often however, their needs and views are not reflected in local transport and land use planning decisions, and barriers to accessing transport and travel, such as safety, cost and security, availability and accessibility remain.

More needs to be done to ensure children and young people can safely get to the services and activities that provide quality of life and support the development of sustainable, prosperous communities. Recent government initiatives such as the Manual for Streets are a positive step in creating child friendly streets – but there remains a long way to go.

Our vision

Our vision is for children and young people to be widely regarded as respected and rightful stakeholders of public space, with travelling and transport needs that are met with appropriate investment and supportive policy delivery at the local, regional and national levels.

We call for a wide uptake of the Delft Manifesto on a Child Friendly Urban Environment, which states that a child friendly city is a city friendly to all.

We support Sustrans’ goal for a safe route for every child to school – and expand that to include all journeys children and young people wish and need to undertake: a safe route for every route.

Our call for action

The National Children’s Bureau and Play England call for the following;

More child friendly, physically and socially safe, streets and public space
Increased participation of children and young people in local transport and planning decisions, resulting in changes in policy and investment levels
Greater investment in safe local streets in which children can cycle and walk without fear of traffic
Greater investment and policy development of sustainable transport that benefits children and young people’s needs and wishes.
Greater access to public transport and affordability of public transport for young people.

Delivering these actions will contribute substantially to the Every Child Matters’ outcomes, the government’s cross cutting policy agenda for improving children’s lives. For example:

Being healthy – active travel and outdoor play provide significant opportunities for children and young people to meet Department of Health’s physical activity and obesity prevention PSA targets5.

Staying safe – through play and independent travel children and young people learn the skills and confidence to help them stay safe as they grow-up. The main barrier to outdoor play and independent local travel is a deep seated and justified fear of traffic.

Enjoying and achieving – being free to play outdoors, move around the local neighbourhood and travel to school and other activities independently is essential for an enjoyable childhood. Securing young people’s access to ‘positive activities’, and preparing and publishing a sustainable school travel strategy, are new duties placed on local authorities by the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Without the ability to travel independently, inequality of access will remain for many.

These actions will also contribute to the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular:

Article 12: the child’s right to express his views feely in all matters affecting him
Article 15: the rights of the child to freedom of association and of peaceful assembly
Article 24: the child’s right to enjoying the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for treatment and rehabilitation
Article 28: the child’s right to education
Article 31: the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

What we will do

Through the Places to Go project, NCB and Play England will:

Engage with all levels of government to advocate greater effective participation of children and young people in local transport and planning decision making
Launch a national campaign called Can we get there? aimed at capturing children and young people’s views on their travel and transport needs, shout about what needs to change and provide advice on the steps to achieve it
Collate and promote good practice case studies that show what can be achieved when relevant policy areas – such as children’s services, local planning and transport – are joined up, and children and young people’s travel and transport needs are met with sufficient investment.

We would like to work with those in national, regional and local government, non-government organisations, charities, think tanks and children and young people’s organisations to promote our call and campaign.

More information

For further information on this project or to discuss how we can work in partnership with your organisation, please contact Rhian Barnes on 0131 539 8120 or by email.

Rhian Barnes is on secondment to Play England from Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity.

Britain joins Europe's high-speed rail network and brings the Dales 20 minutes closer to Paris

Eurostar, the high-speed train operator that links the UK with the Continent, will today (Tuesday 4 September) run its inaugural train over Britain’s new 186mph high-speed line, arriving into the wonderfully restored St Pancras International, Eurostar’s new London terminal.
The train from Gare du Nord station in Paris, due to depart mid-morning, is aiming to set a new record journey time, covering the 306 mile (492 km) distance to St Pancras International in less than 2 hrs and 15 minutes, the new scheduled time from November, and cutting more than 20 minutes off the current timetable of 2 hours 35 minutes between Paris and Waterloo.
Today’s train will travel the full length of High Speed 1, the new line that connects Britain to Europe’s fast-expanding high-speed rail network and that will enable seamless, city centre-to-city centre journeys that are already familiar to millions of continental Europeans.
High Speed 1 has been built on time and within budget and is the link bringing Paris and London - two of the world’s leading cities - even closer together. The excellent connections between domestic and Eurostar services at St Pancras International will also enable travellers from towns and cities across Britain to reach mainland Europe quickly and easily. Faster journeys between the UK and the continent will help to boost business and tourism in London and in the regions – aiding the economy and adding to the UK’s competitive advantage.
The UK’s first high-speed line runs for 68 miles (109 km) from the Channel Tunnel near Folkestone to St Pancras International in central London. It passes through Ashford International and Eurostar’s new station at Ebbsfleet International in Kent, before crossing under the River Thames and approaching the capital in tunnels under east London. Eurostar trains will travel at a speed of 186 mph (300km/h) – 50% faster than even Britain’s fastest domestic rail services.
Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said: “Today marks Britain’s entry into the European high-speed rail club. We can now run trains at high speed all the way from the Channel Tunnel to London, making journeys between cities quicker, more convenient - and far greener than flying.
“Eurostar will soon have two new stations, opening up European rail travel to millions more people across Britain. St Pancras International has numerous rail connections to towns and cities north and south of the capital, while Ebbsfleet International - just off junction 2 of the M25 and close to Bluewater shopping centre in Kent - is conveniently located for 10 million people across southern England.”
Eurostar will launch services from St Pancras International on 14 November this year – in 71 days’ time - having run the final trains from Waterloo the previous evening (13 November). The High Speed 1 timetable will for the first time enable UK business travellers to reach the centres of Paris and Brussels before 9am, ready for a full day’s work. Leisure passengers will benefit from later evening departures, allowing them longer for their trips.
Travelling by Eurostar will enable passengers to ‘tread lightly’ on the environment – also the name of Eurostar’s plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 25% per passenger journey by 2012. From 14 November, Eurostar will offset CO2 emissions that it cannot eliminate at its own expense, making it the first train company in the world to offer ‘carbon neutral’ journeys to all its customers. Independent research has shown that going by Eurostar generates ten times less CO2 than flying, demonstrating that the train is far greener than the plane.

Hugely successful Missing Link 2 charter train highlights SELRAP's aims

Campaign to re-open the Skipton-Colne railway line attracts widespread community support

SELRAP – the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership – continues to attract support from communities and elected politicians, for its campaign to re-open the Skipton-Colne railway line as part of the national rail network

Recently, the 30^th county councillor from North Yorkshire and Lancashire wrote giving the campaign support, while Steeton-with Eastburn Parish Council became the 30th local Parish Council to offer backing.

* Four Town Councils have also voiced their support: Brierfield, Keighley, Skipton and Todmorden, along with District and Borough councils and two Unitary Authorities: Blackpool and Bradford.

* Nationally, letters of support have been received from more than one-quarter of all UK MEPs, 72 MPs (including very nearly all those from Lancashire constituencies), 20 Peers, and several members of the Cabinet.

* Support for our aims has also come form 17 Businesses including Oswaldtwistle Mills, Boundary Mill Stores, Homeloan Management and two Football Clubs; from all three Rail Unions and the TUC; and from Faith leaders including the Archbishop of York, Anglican and Catholic bishops, and the Yorkshire Baptist Association.

For more about SELRAP, including quotes from the letters received and a full list of these supporters, see www.selrap.org.uk

Colne-Skipton Charter Train "Missing Link 2" runs on Sunday October 28

SELRAP – the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership – is running a charter train from Colne to Skipton on Sunday October 28 to highlight its campaign that the 11.5 mile “Missing Link” between the two towns should be restored as part of the national rail network. Tickets are now on sale at branches of Althams Travel Agents, and if the previous SELRAP charter is anything to go by they will be in great demand.

The group organised its first Colne-Skipton charter train on April 1, and this was hugely successful with some 120 would-be passengers being turned away when tickets ran out.

To travel the 23-mile round trip, passengers on “Missing Link 2” will be travelling 150 miles and will reverse direction FIVE times, a sure indication of the urgent need for a direct rail link between the towns of East Lancashire and Skipton and the Aire Valley, according to press officer Steve Broadbent.

Outbound, the train leaves Colne at 9.58am and, after calling at intermediate stations and reversing at Blackburn and Hellifield, arrives at Skipton at 11.37am. Passengers will then have two and a half hours to enjoy the many delights of this famous and historic market town, before the train departs for Colne at 2.10pm.

This time a highly scenic, if circuitous, route back to Colne will be followed, via Leeds, Bradford, Hebden Bridge and Burnley, before arriving back at Colne at 4.16pm.

Tickets for this mammoth day out cost just £20 (Children £12) and are available ONLY from branches of Althams Travel Agents in Colne, Burnley, Nelson and Skipton, or by post from Althams in Burnley. Full details are on the following sheet.

“This will be a great day out for all the family”, says Steve Broadbent, “with lots to see on each leg of the journey and much to enjoy in Skipton. The SELRAP campaign goes from strength to strength, and this charter train again brings to everyone’s attention the need for a high-class, modern, rail link between East Lancashire and Yorkshire.”

The four-coach 300-seat diesel charter train is being funded solely by SELRAP, and profits from sales of tickets will be going to the group’s funds to help the campaign continue. The train will be chartered from and operated by Northern Rail, and SELRAP is very grateful to the company for the tremendous help given in making this trip possible.

More details will be issued in the next 2-3 weeks. Full details of SELRAP and its campaign, including the massive lists of MPs, MEPS, councils, local authorities and other bodies who support our aims, can be seen at

www.selrap.org.uk

National Express Group awarded InterCity East Coast Franchise

National Express Group PLC (“the Group”), a leading international passenger transport company and the UK’s best performing train operator, has today been awarded the franchise agreement by the Department for Transport (“DfT”) to operate the new InterCity East Coast franchise.
The franchise will commence on 9 December 2007 and will run until 31 March 2015 with the last seventeen months being dependent on meeting set performance targets. The franchise is expected to generate total annual revenue of £600 million in its first full year and £1.4 billion (net present value) over the life of the franchise in premium payments to the DfT.
National Express Group Chief Executive, Richard Bowker said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have won the UK’s premier intercity railway. We have won with a bid which is ambitious, deliverable and structured to generate shareholder value.
“Our combined strengths of industry leading operational performance and excellent customer service give us confidence that we will be able to grow the business and increase the number of passengers by providing a service that is value for money and aimed at making travel simpler.
“We have an exciting package of innovation and investment aimed at making these services attractive to many more people. We will offer improved reliability, more trains and seats, easier ways to purchase tickets and an updated catering offer. Our plans have been developed through close consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. We look forward to working with them to deliver a truly world class railway.”
The new franchise, which is the arterial North-South rail route linking London with Scotland via Peterborough, Leeds, Doncaster, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness, will be called National Express East Coast.

Walkers surveyed on Dales Way

Dales Volunteers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) will be helping the Dales Way Association to carry out the second part of the Association’s survey on the Dales Way this August.

They will be talking to walkers using the popular, long-distance route, which runs between Ilkley and Bowness, to find out what they think of it.

The first phase of the survey was carried out in June in Hubberholme and the final poll will be held in the Sedbergh area between 8 and 14 August.

Paul Wilkinson, the YDNPA’s Area Ranger for Cumbria, said: “We’re pleased to be helping the Dales Way Association with this survey. Hopefully our volunteers will hear from as many people as possible about what they like about the route, why they use it and what, if anything, they would like to see changed.

“The information gathered will help the Dales Way Association to build a picture of its use and popularity and, from that, we can try to estimate its value to and impact on the economies of the local communities in the National Park."

Association Chairman Colin Speakman said: “The final part of the survey will give us more evidence that we can use to justify the need for more investment in this very important tourist attraction in the National Park.”

Catch the Peak Season DalesBuses while you can!

Most bus services in the Yorkshire Dales now run to similar timetables all year round, but a few services, particularly some of those running on Sundays and Bank Holidays only operate during the summer months. With autumn not far away, a few of these services have reached the end of their operating seasons for 2007:

Service 802 from West Yorkshire to Nidderdale, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Leyburn and Richmond
Service 803 from West Yorkshire to Ripon, Lightwater Valley, Leyburn, Swaledale and Hawes
Ripon Roweller Service 138 from Ripon to Lightwater Valley
Ripon Roweller Service 139 from Ripon to Fountains Abbey, although the Monday to Saturday buses continue all year

All other Sunday buses continue running to their current timetables until at least the end of September, click here for details.

More reasons to visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park

A new campaign has been launched to encourage visitors to use extra public transport facilities when they come to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The new travel opportunities between centres of population and the National Park include a sustainable, new local bus service called Cravenlink and will tie in with a special programme of easy, guided walks and visits called ‘Sharing the Dales’.

The events – which will run in different parts of the National Park from now to early November – are specially designed to welcome and encourage visitors, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, who may not be regular users of the National Park to enjoy some of its special qualities, as well as the health-giving benefits of a day in the countryside.

All the walks – which vary from a wild herbs trail to a strenuous climb – and most of the events will be free, although, in some cases like an afternoon at a farm and a steam train trip, a charge will be payable.

Cravenlink and Sharing the Dales have been developed by the Yorkshire Dales Society (YDS) in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group with support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, which is administered by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

Keighley and Ilkley MP Ann Cryer led the first walk at Bolton Abbey and was joined by members of the three organisations and by representatives from the national Mosaic Partnership, a national project designed to encourage members of minority ethnic communities to experience National Parks.

Mrs Cryer, who travelled from her home in Shipley by train and the new Cravenlink bus, said: “It is vital for the health and well-being of people in our towns and cities that good, affordable weekend public transport is available to enable city dwellers to reach the National Park without a car.

“Cars are now a major source of pollution and congestion in the Yorkshire Dales. We must ensure alternative ways of reaching the Dales are made available and that people are encouraged to use them.”

Sunday’s event also saw the official launch of the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company, a not-for-profit company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Yorkshire Dales Society, recently established in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group.

Colin Speakman, YDS secretary, said: “It has the expressed aim of ensuring increased access by public transport to the Yorkshire Dales for local communities and visitors, working with local authorities, operators, private business and voluntary bodies to develop and market new opportunities for more sustainable forms of travel into the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland. “

The Cravenlink 784/884 bus service connects with regular bus and train services to and from West Yorkshire at Ilkley and Skipton bus and train stations, providing easy access into Wharfedale. It runs to the popular villages of Embsay and Bolton Abbey, making it easy to get into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Starting on 20 May the occasional Dales Experience Bus 814 from Huddersfield, Bradford, Ilkley and Skipton will run direct to the picturesque Dales village of Malham.

Walks and events will take place every Sunday and Bank Holiday until early November, and full details of the programme and the new Cravenlink bus service can be obtained from the Yorkshire Dales Society, The Town Hall, Cheapside, Settle, BSD24 9EJ, by phoning 01929 825600 or by visiting www.dalesbus.org/cravenlink.

GNER Best in Europe for Cyclists

GNER is the best long-distance train operator in Europe for cyclists, according to a new report.

The East Coast operator beat Swiss Railways, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, France’s TGV service and other UK operators in a study of 32 European train operators by the European Cyclists’ Federation.

GNER scored the top mark in all four areas examined by the study:

· Availability of cycle spaces on long-distance services
· Ticket and reservation systems
· Sales channels – ease of buying a ticket at stations, online and at ticket machines
· Website information

The study said that: “GNER has achieved the best results….GNER is the most bicycle friendly long-distance railway.”

Michelle Drage, GNER Commercial Director, said: “This is a fantastic public recognition of our hard work in making it easy for cyclists to travel on GNER.

“There are bike racks at every GNER station and provision has increased in recent years. Passengers can also take their bikes on our trains free of charge provided they book a space before departure.”

In 2005 GNER received a national award for its website, which since August 2005 has included a dedicated section for cyclists.

The section includes information about taking cycles on trains and cycle parking and includes an innovative cycle reservation form. The site also has a feedback link that encourages groups or individuals to submit comments.

GNER picked up its award in the Most Innovative Approach to Cycle-Rail Integration category at the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) National Cycle-Rail Awards.

In 2004 GNER won a national award (Connections, sponsored by the Strategic Rail Award) for its facilities for cycle users at York Station.

Dales Experience Bus links Huddersfield and Bradford with the Dales

The Dales Experience bus service will be running from Huddersfield and Bradford again during 2007, following a successful launch last year.

The bus provides a link to Malham amidst the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales, running one Sunday each month from May until October. The first outing for the new season is on Sunday May 20th.

The bus runs from Huddersfield, Brighouse, Bradford and Shipley to Ilkley, Skipton and Malham, leaving Huddersfield Bus Station at 0835 and returning from Malham at 1645. Malham is one of the most popular villages in the Yorkshire Dales, with a National Park Centre to help you find out more about the area. There is a stream running through the village, and many walks start from there, including to the spectacular Cove, Janet's Foss and Gordale Scar.

A Dales Rover ticket valid all the way from Huddersfield to Malham is just £7, or £14 for a family ticket. There’s no need to book in advance, tickets are available from the driver. At Ilkley connections are available with Dalesbus 805, providing connections to Bolton Abbey, Burnsall, Grassington, Kettlewell, Aysgarth and Hawes.

The first bus on May 20th also offers the opportunity to join a free “Sharing the Dales” guided walk from Gargrave to Malham along the Pennine Way. This 6.5 mile walk offers great views of Malham Cove – for further details call walk leader Duncan Ward on 0113 2645920.

For a shorter walk you can catch the Dalesbus 805 connection to Grassington and join National Park Guide Tony Vittery for a 3.5 mile free guided walk beside the River Wharfe to Grass Wood – for further details call Grassington National Park Centre on 01756 751690.

The Dales Experience Bus also provides an ideal way to visit the RSPB’s peregrine viewpoint at Malham Cove, which is open daily until 5th August. Last year tens of thousands of people enjoyed the sight of the peregrines hunting and catching their prey mid-air with stunning displays of aerobatics. Information Assistants are on hand to help visitors see the peregrines and other birds. The project is part of the RSPB’s Aren’t Birds Brilliant! programme of events, which make rare and spectacular birds accessible for everyone to see. As well as the peregrines, visitors to Malham can expect to see green woodpeckers, little owls, redstarts and cliff-nesting house martins.

The Dales Experience Bus service will run on Sundays May 20th, June 24th, July 8th, August 5th, September 9th and October 7th 2007. The service is provided by the Yorkshire Dales Society and the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group with funding from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund.

Click here for further details.

Steam Trains on Wensleydale Railway

Steam trains return to the Wensleydale Railway for a month in August, operating from 1st to 17th August and from 21st August until 2nd September 2007.

Ex British Rail Standard Class locomotive No 80105 will haul the first train of the day from Leeming Bar to Redmire and bring the last train back. During the day it will shuttle between Redmire and Leyburn, with extra passenger mileage for the locomotive to run round at Constable Burton (no alighting there). Diesel multiple units will provide a feeder service between Leeming Bar and Leyburn. Services are ‘turn up and go’ except for groups of 11 or more who should pre-book tickets.

The timetable and fares for Wensleydale Railway’s August services and events will be available on the railway company’s website at www.wensleydalerailway.com.

“There is a host of planning and work needed to achieve a successful month of steam services,” said Mr. Deane, Wensleydale Railway's Mechanical Engineering Director. “Volunteers will be of crucial importance. Intending volunteers will be very welcome and should make their interest known through the WRA website if they are not already registered with the Association.”

“The return of steam trains will bring back many memories for people who lived in Wensleydale before the line closed to passenger services in the 1950s,” says Wensleydale Railway Chairman Mrs. Annison. “In those days, the large number of jobs on the railway meant that many local families depended on the line for their livelihood. Some people remember going down the dale to school in Northallerton by train; others recollect going in the opposite direction, to the grammar school in Askrigg or to Leeds and Bradford, in the days when the Wensleydale Railway connected with the renowned Settle-Carlisle line at Garsdale.”

Long-term WR proposals include the re-building of an 18 mile missing link between Redmire and Garsdale, to restore this connection, as well as the pressing need to restore the half mile South Curve track into Northallerton station.

New Heritage Bus Service to Bolton Abbey

A new heritage bus service will link Bolton Abbey Station (on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway) with Bolton Abbey village on Summer Sundays.

The service will run on Sundays August 5th, 12th and 19th, September 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, and be operated by a vintage open-top bus (subject to weather and availability). Click here for timetable details.

Sunday bus links to Embsay and Bolton Abbey are provided on Cravenlink service 884 from Ilkley and Skipton.

Leave no trace plea from National Park

Visitors to the Yorkshire Dales are being urged to take their rubbish home with them – and not leave it for others to pick up.

The plea from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) comes as its Area Rangers are seeing an increase in the amount of litter following recent warm weather.

Phil Richards, the YDNPA Area Ranger for Lower Wharfedale, said: “We have been finding everything from disposable tents and food wrappers to human excrement and hypodermic syringes in various parts of the National Park.

“The worst hit areas seem to be in Wharfedale where, at Lower Grass Wood near Grassington, illegal campers have caused significant problems by cutting down trees for fire wood, burning of gates and footpath signposts and also leaving vast amounts of rubbish.

“Apart from the problems of having to remove the rubbish, it also has an impact on the wildlife and the landscape – and it’s not very nice for other people to see.”

The wood, which is owned and managed by the Woodland Trust – the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity – has been a target for illegal camping for some time.

Now the Trust and its partners – the YDNPA, Grassington Angling Club and the Parish Council – are looking at various ways to halt the problem including planting hawthorn at some of the illegal camping areas.

“The vast majority of visitors to the National Park treat the area with respect – but a minority treat the countryside with total disregard,” Phil said.

“They spoil the very thing they come to enjoy and they have no consideration for others. It is not uncommon to remove between 10 and 20 bags of rubbish after a sunny weekend including beer bottles, cans and disposable barbecues.

“In addition, fires that are started also pose a threat to the woodland and its habitat, especially as the weather warms up and the groundcover gets drier and drier.

“Our message to everyone who comes to this beautiful landscape is that the National Park is a special area for all to enjoy and, in order for it to remain so, please treat it with the respect it so much deserves – leave no trace of your visit when you go.”

Woodland Trust spokesman Alistair Nash said: “Woodland fires can cause devastation, with loss of trees, plants and wildlife. A fire can spread very quickly, putting people’s lives at risk. We ask people to be vigilant and take care when enjoying the countryside,”

Ribblehead Viaduct Walk - Fully Booked

Network Rail and the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line have got together to present rail enthusiasts and walkers alike with a unique opportunity - the chance to walk across the world famous Ribblehead Viaduct.

The railway is closed for two weeks in July as part of a five year, £60 million upgrade of the line, and Network Rail has agreed to open the viaduct to the public on Sunday 22 July, the final day of the closure.

Radio presenter Mike Harding will officially open the event, which runs from 10 am until 4 pm. The 24-arch viaduct is a quarter of a mile long, 104 feet high and was completed in 1875 after taking five years to build.

Network Rail has imposed a limit of 2,000 people throughout the day and the Friends will have an army of volunteers to act as guides. They will accompany visitors across the viaduct in parties of 25 people at a time. Network Rail has also said visitors must be over the age of 14 to cross the viaduct.

Temporary car parks will be set up at Ribblehead and at nearby Horton-in-Ribblesdale from where free shuttle buses are being provided by train operator Northern. Northern's rail replacement buses will also call at Ribblehead.

As well as the viaduct walk there will be free guided tours of the former shanty towns on the Ribblehead site, guided walks around the nature reserve, the Ribblehead Visitor Centre, exhibitions and attractions in the station area.

All tickets for the walk have now been sold.

Have your say on rights of way in North Yorkshire

Ramblers, horse riders, and babies in buggies, mountain-bikers and people visiting the shops a local pub or travelling to work… they’re all among the thousands of people who, every day, use part of North Yorkshire’s extensive network of rights of way.

And now North Yorkshire County Council wants these rights of way users to have a say on how the rights of way network – the largest in England, with a total length equivalent to the distance between London and Hong Kong – can be improved.

A public consultation exercise has begun in which residents and visitors to North Yorkshire are invited to contribute their views to the county’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The plan is aimed at improving the management, location and promotion of the network in a way which protects it and enhances it for the future.

“The rights of way network is one of the most socially inclusive transport networks,” said Gordon Gresty, corporate director of business and environmental services for North Yorkshire County Council.

“It affects all aspects of our lives, including improving our health, economy, culture, education, tourism, environment, heritage and transport.”

The North Yorkshire plan is being prepared jointly by: North Yorkshire County Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and the North York Moors National Park Authority.

The plan will set out an assessment of the extent to which the network meets current and likely future needs, of the opportunities provided for exercise and other forms of recreation, of accessibility to the blind and mobility-restricted, and will contribute to the Government’s transport priorities of reducing congestion, improving air quality, enhancing accessibility and improving safety.

Summaries of the Plan are available at libraries across North Yorkshire; while the complete Plan can be seen at district council offices and national park centres. It can also be seen by following the links on North Yorkshire County Council’s website … www.northyorks.gov.uk. Closing date for comments is June 30.

Bollywood Finale in the Yorkshire Dales

A special train has been laid on for visitors to the spectacular finale of the Bollywood celebrations organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Northern Rail is providing the ticket-only train on 3 June as an addition to the normal timetable to promote public transport into the Dales – and the £5 charge for each seat will go to the Railway Children charity.

The free fun day in and around the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes is the culmination of a package of events organised by the YDNPA to tie in with the staging of the eighth International Indian Film Academy Awards in Yorkshire.

The event will be opened by YDNPA chairman Carl Lis and, as well as kite making and flying sessions – including stunning professional displays – visitors will be able to watch Indian dancing, henna hand painting and African drumming and try some Asian food.

Inside the museum, visitors will have a last chance to see the ‘Love is in the Air’ photographic exhibition and a display of wild flower paintings and a painting demonstration by Judith Bromley.

Catherine Kemp, the YDNPA’s Outreach Officer, said: “The fun day is the culmination of weeks of planning and we hope it will be as big a success as the other events that have made up our Bollywood celebrations.”

The train will leave Bradford Forster Square at 10.40am and stop in Shipley, Keighley, Skipton and Settle before arriving at Ribblehead at noon. From there passengers will be taken to Hawes in a fleet of vintage buses supplied by Kirkby Stephen firm Cumbria Classic Coaches and, if the weather is good, one of them will be an open-top double decker.

Passengers will leave Hawes at 3.30pm again by vintage vehicle to return to Bradford for 5.15pm.

Anyone wanting to book a seat on the train should contact the YDNPA Grassington offices on 01756 751600.

Full details of the day’s events are available on the YDNPA website at www.yorkshiredales.co.uk.

Special Events on the Wensleydale Railway

May 2007 will be the busiest month yet for special events on the Wensleydale Railway. Details are available on the website www.wensleydalerailway.com and in the printed timetable (available from Tourist Information Centres in Hawes, Aysgarth, Leyburn, Bedale, Reeth, Northallerton, Richmond , Sedbergh and elsewhere).

There will be extra train services morning and late afternoon for the three days of the Dales Festival of Food and Drink in Leyburn (5-7 May) and extra afternoon trains for the Millennium Trust woodland event and Guided Walk from Redmire to Aysgarth (19 May) and the Swaledale Festival Guided Walk (31 May).

There are scheduled train service on all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in May, and every day in half term week (28 May-3 June).

Special events include Community Rail weekend (18-20 May), the Kilburn White Horse 150 Anniversary (25 May), and a Hog Roast (with special connecting trains) at Leyburn on Wednesday evening 30 May.

Regular train services also serve local events such as the charity cream teas in Redmire village hall (6 May and 28 May) and Finghall Barrel Push (also 28 May).

Easter Guided Walks

There's a choice of guided walks to help you get out in the Dales over the Easter weekend. Both walks have been organised by Dalesbus Ramblers, and are easily accessible by bus.

There's no need to book in advance, but if you'd like further details you can call the walk leader on the number shown below. You'll need to take a packed lunch, and don’t forget your waterproof clothing and spare warm clothes packed in a waterproof bag just in case!

EASTER SUNDAY 8th APRIL: ADDLEBROUGH
Follow the old green lanes over Stake Moss and then use the new permissive paths up the steep ascent of the ancient hill settlement, with its extensive views of Wensleydale and Semer Water.

Start: Kidstones Pass Lane End: 1045
Finish: Worton: Approx. 1545
Distance/Grading: 9.5 miles / Moderate to Energetic
BUSES Outward: Bus 800 from Leeds, Ilkley and Grassington
Return: Bus 800 to Grassington, Ilkley and Leeds
Walk Leader: Steve: 0113 2715411

EASTER MONDAY 9th APRIL: CAPPLESTONE GATE
Explore the lesser known tracks above the Dales Way to reach Capplestone Gate trig point, where wonderful views of Wharfedale can be seen.

Start: Kettlewell, Shelter: 1120
Finish: Grassington: Approx. 1600
Distance/Grading: 8 miles / Moderate to Energetic
BUSES Outward: Bus 805 from Wakefield, Leeds, Ilkley and Grassington (bus 67A connects from Keighley and Skipton to Grassington)
Return: Bus 805 to Ilkley, Leeds and Wakefield, or bus 67A to Skipton and Keighley
Walk Leader: John: 0113 2791460

For details of other Dalesbus Ramblers guided walks see www.dalesbusramblers.org.uk

Motorway traffic jams can ruin Easter getaway

Motorists are fed up with not knowing how long their journey will take, according to a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr).

More than half of motorists say the most annoying thing about congestion is the unpredictability it causes or the waste of their time. ippr’s report shows almost a third of car drivers say unpredictable journey times are the biggest problem and nearly a quarter say congestion ‘wastes my time’.

Traffic in England is predicted to increase by up to 10 per cent between 2006 and 2010 and by up to 36 per cent by 2025. The government plans to tackle the problem of increased congestion by introducing a national road pricing scheme but ippr’s report shows that the public are sceptical and unsure what exactly road pricing is.

Anthony Vigor, ippr senior research fellow and report author said:

"The Easter getaway is a prime example of the problems of increased traffic and congestion. Motorists are unable to predict how long their journeys will take and this frustrates the travelling public. The evidence shows that without action it will only get worse.

"National road pricing would be an effective way to tackle congestion. But the public are sceptical and unsure how such a scheme would work. If road pricing is to provide the solution, more needs to be done to win the public over."

Charging Forward? A review of public attitudes towards road pricing in the UK by Jenny Bird and Anthony Vigor is available from www.ippr.org

The Missing Link

On Sunday April 1st 2007 the Skipton East Lancs Railway Action Partnership (SELRAP) is to run a special train between Colne and Skipton and return.

Taking the East Lancashire line to Blackburn, after reversal the train will follow the Ribble Valley route via Whalley and Clitheroe to Hellifield where, after a second reversal, it will head for Skipton on the Leeds-Carlisle line. After a layover in Skipton the service will return via the same 50 mile route.

Another first for SELRAP, this unique service, operated by Northern Rail, will be a clear demonstration of serious intent to reopen the 11.5 mile line between Skipton and Colne ..... thus creating a new east west corridor for passenger and freight services.

Northern Rail will provide a four car class 156 for this unique service ..... part of which (between Clitheroe and Hellifield) is normally a freight-only route.

The train departs Colne at 10.40am, and arrives in Skipton at 1.18pm . The return journey will depart Skipton at 4.12pm, arriving in Colne at 6.06pm. Passengers can also join the trip at Nelson, Burnley, Accrington, Blackburn & Clitheroe.

For more information and to book for this unique opportunity, contact Membership Secretary: Derek Jennings, 3 Hamilton Rd, Carr Hall, Barrowford, Lancs, BB9 6DE, Tel 01282 690411 or via e mail: membership@selrap.org.uk

Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis, and cost £16.00 (£11.00 for children).
Please note that all tickets must be paid for in full by Sat 17th March, and that in the unlikely event of
insufficient sales, SELRAP reserves the right to cancel this service and return all ticket money.

The half way point has been reached in the Winter Walks programme run by Wensleydale Railway.

Five Sundays of winter walks of 5-6 miles each still to go up to April 1.

Walkers have come from a wide area, to catch the 10.35 train from Leeming Bar (10.41 from Bedale) to either Leyburn or Redmire, depending on the route for the day.

“Once the snow cleared in January, there have been some excellent walks, “ said Mrs. Ruth Annison, WR chairman. “There are longer views in winter, both up and down the dale, when the trees are without leaves. It can be wet underfoot though, so boots or strong shoes are especially necessary for countryside walks at this time of year.”

This Sunday, March 4, the walk starts from Redmire station at 11.30 and returns to Redmire for the 3.35pm train. On March 11, the walk is a Leyburn circular, starting from Leyburn station at 11.50 and on March 18 there will be a six mile linear walk from Redmire to Leyburn. Details on www.wensleydalerailway.com or ring 08454 50 54 74.

Note: Walks are free with same day WR rail ticket, £2 for others. Walkers should bring suitable clothing, footwear, food and drink.

North Yorkshire Road Deaths Down

Fatalities on North Yorkshire’s roads have been slashed by 20%. The decrease includes a 38% fall in motorcyclist deaths.

“This is a big step in the right direction, but the job is by no means done,” said Road Policing Inspector Chris Charlton. “We are still finalising and analysing the figures, but it is already emerging that young drivers and passengers make up a disproportionate number of those killed. It is clear that the efforts of the Police and all the other agencies involved in road safety must continue to focus on these road-users.” The most spectacular drop in fatalities is among motorcycle riders. 13 died last year, compared with 21 in 2005. This is the lowest total since 2001 and Insp Charlton attributes the success to North Yorkshire Police’s unique mixture of training, persuasion - and hard-line enforcement.

The force has kept up its Bike Safe campaign, offering advanced riding guidance, together with a publicity roadshow which has attended events and rider meeting places across the county. Insp Charlton said: “The main thrust, though, has come from a tough enforcement policy. Extra patrols and extra checks, all backed by a well-publicised fast-track policy that can see extreme speeders stripped of their licences within a week of being caught - these are the key ingredients.” And, he said, a great part of this effort was made possible by financial support from North Yorkshire County Council.

He said: “We have provided officers prepared, literally, to go the extra mile and do extra targeted patrols; NYCC have, in their turn, backed publicity with practical action and funded much of this extra effort.” Two teenagers, one on a moped, the other riding a relatively small 125cc machine, were killed in 2006. All the other riders killed were adults on full-size machines, many of them powerful sports bikes. NYP’s motorcycle safety strategy for 2007 will be formulated shortly in consultation with the County Council, but Insp Charlton expects it to be not too far removed from the previous policy of advice for riders who will listen and hard-line enforcement for those who will not. Fatalities on the county’s 6,000 miles of roads fell from 85 in 2005 to 68 last year, including the motorcyclist deaths.

Insp Charlton says there are many factors behind this decrease, but team-work among a variety of North Yorkshire organisations is high on the list. He said enforcement played a large part, and the force was becoming ever-more efficient at targeting those who threaten other road-users’ welfare. “Improving intelligence leads us to better targeting of, for example, drink-drivers, and advanced technology effortlessly pinpoints untaxed and uninsured drivers for us - and it is the experience of Road Policing officers that drivers who will risk going out without tax, insurance or MoT Certificates are very often drivers whose vehicles are not roadworthy and who may well be under the influence of drink or drugs. These dangerous failings go together.” He said: “If it sounds as if I am blowing the trumpet of North Yorkshire’s officers, especially the members of Road Policing Group, then I am. Their efforts have saved lives, it’s as simple and straightforward as that.” But the Police effort is only part of the story, he said.

Every year’s new cars are better designed for safety, and every year North Yorkshire’s roads are safer. “Traffic-calming measures are put in place, hazards are removed, marking and signs are improved and speed limits are constantly reviewed and better fitted to the job they must do,” he said. There had been successful examples of team-work, notably under the aegis of the county’s 95 Alive campaign led by the County Council, which brings together a wide variety of organisations with an interest in cutting casualties. Fire and Rescue have operated eye-catching speed matrix signs across the county, reminding drivers of speed limits, together with their powerful support for the Drink-Drive campaign in the form of roadside information displays centred around the mangled wreckage of crashed cars. In the same campaign NYCC had sponsored highly effective video vans touring the county showing graphic and hard-hitting videos hammering home the drink-drive message.

The Highways Agency’s Traffic Officers had also played a part, dealing with the aftermath of accidents and adding a high-visibility presence to the A1, freeing up Policing officers to concentrate on casualty reduction work. Similarly, the Government’s Vehicle and Operator Services Agency now runs its own vehicle safety stop-checks, again freeing officers for front-line work. And, said Inspector Charlton, a major contribution had come from the Air Ambulance service, whose speed in getting badly-injured casualties to hospital had undoubtedly saved lives. Having said all this, though, none of the agencies involved felt at all complacent.

Insp Charlton said: “No-one is celebrating. No-one can forget that 68 families are missing a loved one, many more are coming to terms with a dreadful injury suffered by someone close to them. Lives have been lost and lives have been ruined and I fear this will continue as long as there are drivers and riders prepared to take risks and to drive in a way that outstrips their skill.” County Councillor Peter Sowray, Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: “We will continue to work as hard as we can to reduce fatalities further, but ultimately responsibility for future casualty figures lies with one very specific group of people, road-users. We will play our part, with renewed energy, but I am asking everyone who uses this county’s roads - pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers - to work together to further cut this tragic toll.”

Dales' Roads Death Toll "Totally Unacceptable"

North Yorkshire Police today 31st of July launched a hard-hitting enforcement campaign aimed squarely at cutting a “totally unacceptable” toll of death and injury across the county.

Intensive police action will target dangerous, careless and irresponsible road users, and officers warn that they will take firm, decisive action against offenders. Visitors to the county should be aware that the tough policy applies right across the county’s 6,000 miles of roads.

Expert analysis has highlighted 39 stretches of road with poor accident records, but Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs warns: “It is not roads that cause accidents – it is drivers and riders. We will be concentrating resources on those 39 identified routes and we will act positively against anyone we see endangering other road users.”

Mr Briggs is leading Operation Helical, at least eight weeks of co-ordinated action involving the emergency services and other 95 Alive organisations.

He said: “50 people have died on North Yorkshire’s roads this year and that is totally unacceptable. The vast majority of those deaths are due to someone’s error or irresponsibility and I am making it very clear right now that North Yorkshire Police will not tolerate this. It is madness that so many people’s lives are affected by the actions of so few people. Up to 100 people can be affected by every fatal collision, beginning with family, and spreading out through friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

“This cannot continue.”

He said: “My officers, together with the overwhelming majority of the public we serve, see no reason why lives should be endangered by people who cannot or will not use the roads in a sensible, considerate manner.”

So as well as normal police duties, North Yorkshire Police officers will –

· Operate extra road safety patrols. Marked and plain cars and motorcycles will check the county’s roads, concentrating particularly on the 39 high-risk routes. North Yorkshire County Council is contributing substantially to the cost of this extra work as part of its role in the 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership

· Fast-track “extreme speeders” to court within days of their being caught. Drivers and riders who break any speed limit by 30mph can lose their licences in just a week

· Deploy Autovision. This gives irrefutable evidence of speeding individuals and which can be deployed on any road at any time. Autovision records the speed and registration number of passing vehicles – together with a picture of the driver’s face.

· Use the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system to read and check the numbers of passing vehicles. Computers instantly check whether each vehicle is taxed or insured and its owner has a driving licence; the vehicles may be seized.

· Operate a series of targeted campaigns against specific offences which can lead to accidents. These include using a hand-held phone while driving, and crossing double white lines. Drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts are also a priority target, as are those who drive after drinking or using drugs. North Yorkshire Police are fully supporting the national Summer Drink and Drug Driving campaign, launched yesterday, and Mr Briggs reminded road users that not only will there be surprise stop checks, but it is this force’s policy to breath-test every driver and rider involved in an accident.

As well as all these actions by North Yorkshire Police, Operation Helical will also involve a series of actions and campaigns by partners, such as Government agencies and – especially – the members of the 95 Alive campaign working to cut road casualties. These may include swoops on untaxed vehicles, checks for unsafe tyres or overweight commercial vehicles, flashing roadside signs to warn speeders, and much more.

Said Mr Briggs: “We welcome safe responsible riders and drivers in our county. We are pleased to police those of our own residents who can travel with consideration to other road-users. This force is not anti-motorist or anti-biker in any way, but North Yorkshire officers will use all means available to them to cut this carnage on our roads and we are determined to put this county’s roads among the safest in the country.”

He added: “I want visitors to North Yorkshire to be clear on their position too. They know they are welcome to enjoy our marvellous rural roads and scenery, and welcome to stop in our towns and villages.

“But they now know that if they come here and take risks on North Yorkshire’s roads, then every one of my officers will use their full powers to make their visit deeply unpleasant.

“That’s a promise.”

Tony Lidgate 01609-789959

30 July 07

Routes identified as having high rates of accidents or which pose road safety problems are -

Western Area

Craven District

1 A65 Skipton to Gargrave Road. Skipton Bypass A59 junction to Gargrave

2 A59 Beamsley Bank

3 A65 Austwick to Settle

4 B6479 junction of the B6255 to Austwick Road

Harrogate District

5 A61 North Harrogate to Ripon

6 A59 Travellers rest to Fewston

7 A6055 Knaresborough to Boroughbridge

8 A658 Harrogate Bypass – A661 to A61

Richmond District

9 A66 Scotch Corner to Newsham

10 A684 Patrick Brompton to Leyburn

11 A6108 Leyburn to Middleham

12 A684 Hawes to Aysgarth

Eastern Area

Scarborough District

13 A170 Wykham to Scarborough

14 A171 Egton to Whitby

15 A171 Fylingdales to Cloughton

16 A165 Scarborough to Reighton

Ryedale District

17 B1257 Malton to Helmsley

18 A169 Malton Bypass to Low Marishes

19 A170 Kirbymoorside to Pickering

20 A169 Pickering to Saltergate bank

Hambleton District

21 A684 Northallerton to A19

22 B1257

23 A684 Northallerton to A1

24 A167 Northallerton to Great Smeaton

Central Area

York District

26 A64 Copmanthorpe Top - Hopgrove Roundabout

27 A64 Hopgrove Roundabout to Sandhutton (

28 A1237 Copmanthorpe Top to Hopgrove Roundabout

29 A59 Boroughbridge Road from A1237 to Moor Monkton

Crossroads

30 A1079 Grimston Roundabout to Kexby Bridge

31 A166 Grimston Roundabout to Gate Helmsley

32 A19 Fulford Interchange to Escrick (Skipwith Road)

Selby District

33 A64 Bramham to the A1237 York Bypass

34 A19 Escrick (Skipwith Road) to Selby Bypass

35 A19 Selby Bypass to Whitley Bridge

36 B1222 From the A1 to the A162

37 B1222 From the A162 to Cawood

38 A162 from the A64 to Brotherton

39 A63 From the A1 up to and including the Selby Bypass

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Road closures, updated Wednesday 13th January, 2010

Richmond

Skipton

Whitby

With the days growing shorter and winter fast approaching, North Yorkshire Police is warning motorcyclists to take extra care on the roads.

A combination of poor visibility, high winds and wet or icy road conditions can prove extremely hazardous for those travelling on two wheels.

In the past few weeks there have been a series of serious and fatal collisions involving riders in the county. Whilst it is too early to say if weather or road conditions played a significant role in these individual cases, it is vital that riders are aware of the dangers and take heed.

“The advice we offer to riders is to be prepared and adapt to the conditions. If the weather is cold and wet it’s very easy to lose concentration. Therefore make sure you are dressed accordingly and make regular stops to combat fatigue and maintain awareness and reaction times.

Disabled ramblers will be enjoying some of the sights and history of the Yorkshire Dales National Park next week.