Media centre

Monday 14 Feb 2005

ESK VALLEY RAILWAY LINE REOPENS FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL TRACK RENEWAL

Region & Route:

Passengers on the Esk Valley line received a Valentine’s gift with a difference this morning thanks to Network Rail as trains started running again following the successful renewal of the track between Sleights and Whitby. The £2.5 million project renewed nearly two miles of railway using:

• 10,000 tonnes of ballast
• 4700 sleepers
• 7000 yards of new rail

  Dyan Crowther, Route Director, Network Rail said: “This project is the final section of a ten mile stretch of track which has been renewed over the last three years between Glaisdale and Whitby.  Once the new track has bedded in we will be able to raise the linespeed and remove a longstanding weight restriction. “Passengers will be experiencing the benefits from today as the new continuous welded rail and smoothed curves provide a better ride quality for trains.” Lawrie Quinn, MP for Scarborough & Whitby added: “The local economy and sustainability of the communities along the Esk Valley and Whitby are significantly dependent on good quality transport links.  I have been delighted to work with the Esk Valley Railway, the Whitby Gazette and most importantly the local community and business groups to produce the type of partnership we see through this project involving Network Rail and its contractors.  “As a railway civil engineer myself, I can appreciate the complexities of the construction and am very glad that the train operating company using the route and the Strategic Rail Authority recognised the crucial timing for this multi-million pound investment.  From my own knowledge of the railway industry I can say that this project is deserving of national recognition and that is why I have been pleased to highlight the considerable achievements of everyone involved with the Railways Minister, Tony McNulty MP.“