Ecology puts Wensleydale back on track
Thursday 11 September 2003
The UK's foremost green lender, Ecology Building Society, is proud to announce their association with the groundbreaking Wensleydale Railway (WRC). WRC is the first rail company other than Railtrack plc, to acquire long-term operation of a section of the national rail infrastructure.
Ecology Building Society has provided assistance to Wensleydale Railway by way of a mortgage on two of it most historic buildings - Leeming Bar Station and Aysgarth Station. The buildings at Leeming Bar are all listed and will be preserved accordingly. Being situated close to the A1 this station serves as an excellent departure point for all rail journeys to and from the Yorkshire Dales, with a Park & Ride scheme from Northallerton. Scott Handley, Director of Development and Engineering for the railway chose the Ecology to be a part of this exciting project in order "To enhance the sustainability of the project and build upon the very considerable work already done."
The sole purpose of Wensleydale Railway Association is to re-instate the Trans-Pennine rail link between the Settle-Carlisle Line and the East Coast Main Line. The railway will eventually run approximately 40 miles through the picturesque Yorkshire Dales National Park providing visitors with a high quality rail link and local residents and businesses with much improved transport infrastructure. Ecology Building Society Chief Executive Paul Ellis says: "We see the scheme as having many environmental benefits including reduced car dependency and so less congestion and pollution. Besides eventually providing a much needed new east-west link, the line will also be used to move freight for local businesses and the nearby army base, so removing heavy goods vehicles from unsuitable roads."
The first passenger train departed on 4 July and there are currently four departures from Leeming Bar to Leyburn each day, which is set to rise to 21 in 2004 when the service will be extended to Northallerton.
