Arcow Quarry and Dry Rigg Quarry, both near Horton in Ribblesdale are to re-connected with the Settle to Carlisle railway line
Network Rail has started work to reinstate the rail link between the two quarries and the Settle to Carlisle railway line. Once complete this link will help remove up to 16,000 lorry journeys from the local road network.
Lafarge Tarmac is funding the £5m project and has been in discussing this project for a number of years with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Craven District Council, local parish councils and residents.
The rail connection between the quarries and the main line had been removed from operational use in the 1960s.
Joelle Calderelli, Network Rail’s scheme project manager, said: “This project demonstrates the value of the railway to industry in moving large amounts of material currently transported by road. Rail freight is better for the environment than road haulage and helps to remove thousands of vehicles from the road network.
“Work has already started. It involves building a new railway embankment and installing all of the infrastructure to safely operate trains. Once completed, we will be connecting the new section to the mainline in late 2015.”