A FURTHER boost has been given to the Settle to Carlisle railway line just over a decade since it faced closure.

Railtrack has shown its confidence in the line this week by announcing that increased track work will mean 40 new jobs.

The company, which is responsible for maintaining the line, said the jobs would be created through the maintenance contractor Jarvis. It currently employs 20 staff to carry out Railtrack's annual £1.5 million maintenance programme on the track and ballast.

Railtrack has decided to considerably enhance routine maintenance to cater for the growing number of trains on the line.

This latest investment is part of the line's development as a key Anglo-Scottish freight route and diversionary line. Freight traffic has grown markedly, with over 60 trains in both directions in a typical week in addition to the passenger services.

The line will also grow in importance as a diversionary route as work progresses on the development of the West Coast and East Coast main lines.

On November 1, the line will be closed between Appleby and Settle junction for four weeks to enable the maintenance work to start. Train operator Northern Spirit will run an amended service including bus substitutions.

Railtrack's North West production manager Mike Cowman said: "To ensure that we can continue to meet the requirements of our customers, the train operators, we need to be able to work on the line non-stop for four weeks. This inevitably causes disruption for train passengers but in terms of long-term gain, the pain will be worth it.

"We are also looking at the options for further investment in the route in the coming years. It's a real sign of our commitment to a line that was threatened by closure by BR 10 years ago."

Pete Shaw, secretary of the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line, expressed his delight. "We are pleased to see the repairs being undertaken in November. It's going to bring the Settle to Carlisle back into first class order. The fact Railtrack are taking on more people to carry out the work is an important part of that.

"It's a marvellous about-face that the railway authorities are believing in the Settle to Carlisle line as 10 to 12 years ago they were doing their utmost to close it. Any works, repairs and advancement for the line is very good news."

o AN announcement whether the Settle to Carlisle Railway Line has won a national rail Oscar will be made at the end of November.

A total of seven stations and staff of the train operator Northern Spirit have received nominations including the Settle to Carlisle Line. Settle Station's Tim Parker is shortlisted as Station Employee of the Year and Horton-in-Ribblesdale has been nominated for the Community Spirit Award.

An awards ceremony was postponed out of respect to the families of victims of the Paddington rail crash.

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