PASSENGERS using the famous Settle to Carlisle railway will be stranded for four weeks in November while improvements are carried out.

Railtrack North West has awarded Scotland-based First Engineering the contract to relay up to 17 miles of track between Settle and Carlisle, to add to the three miles already replaced since April.

The track has to be replaced due to the effects of an upsurge in the number of freight trains over the route.

There will also be additional passenger trains when Northern Spirit starts running its new Leeds-Glasgow service.

Railtrack, First Engineering and EWS Railway (the main materials haulier) are concentrating the majority of the work into the closure period from Monday 1 to Sunday 28 November. But the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle line say the alternative transport being put on by train operators Northern Spirit is "useless".

Dent station will be left for the whole of November without trains, replacement buses or a taxi link. The Friends also claim no provision is being made for early morning commuters from Kirkby Stephen, Ribblehead, or Horton, and they say it will not be possible to make a day return journey to or from Horton, Ribblehead, Garsdale and Kirkby Stephen.

There are usually 15 passenger trains over the line on weekdays at this time of year, but Northern Spirit is putting on just one minibus to cover the central section of the route.

Friends Vice President Pete Shaw said: "We think that the proposals for alternative services from Northern Spirit are at such a derisory level compared to the normal timetable that we are challenging their validity. The Friends have been in contact with the Rail Users Consultative Committee, the Rail Regulator, and the Strategic Rail Authority.

"So far, the RUCC have said they too share our concerns and that they believe Northern Spirit should provide a higher level of alternatives.

"The SRA say Northern Spirit are obliged to provide as much of the normal timetable as possible, and they will discuss the alterations with Northern Spirit as a matter of urgency."

The Friends' spokesman said they do welcome the work, but that the alternative services should allow passengers to make journeys similar to those normally available.

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