It is pleasing to report that February has been one of the best months in recent times on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle line with only a few cancellations and a slight reduction in late running instances. March is also looking positive as I write.
We had a few signalling problems at the north end of the line and, rather unfortunately, it seems to be the first trains of the day, used by commuters that often suffer the worst.
We are doing our utmost to encourage the rail operator to increase the reliability of these services.
Many of the one-time commuters have deserted rail, it is suspected due to reliability issues, as well as the Dales Railcard restriction, and we are certain that there is a market there, waiting to be won back.
This is vital in an age where we have an urgent need for decarbonisation and a modal shift from private car use.
We have done our best to lobby for an improved rail timetable, better suited to customer needs, and can report on a minor success in that, as from 2nd June, the Sunday 1213 northbound departure from Settle will call at all-stops, permitting a visit to any of the minor stations including Horton, Ribblehead, Dent and Garsdale.
We believe that there is also a good business case for the early Sunday evening train being all-stops but we have not succeeded on this point as yet.
Meanwhile, the spectre of industrial action has not entirely gone away, and services were again disrupted on 1st March. This effectively meant that there were no trains at all on both of the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle and Morecambe lines. The travelling public are getting a little weary of this and let’s hope that that matters can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible. Without doubt this has affected the confidence of the travelling public as regards long term plans and travelling to work. At the time of writing there is no further planned action, but one suspects that it is only a matter of time.
It is rare to be able to report on an entirely new train service but, indeed, that will shortly be the case here. As from 8th June, there will be a Saturday-only service from Manchester to Ribblehead via Clitheroe and Settle offering two return journeys. This will potentially allow for a journey to Manchester, departing Settle at 1122, albeit with a limited stay time but, maybe, a handy way of reaching the airport? The service will run all-year and, if all goes well, we might even look forward to additional services on the Hellifield to Clitheroe line, a vastly underused resource. It can only be good for the hospitality industry in the area with the prospect of increased visitors.
Regular travellers towards Carlisle will perhaps have noticed the sudden activity to reinstate the rail link at Horton Quarry together with the preparatory work for the associated footbridge. This is excellent news for Settle as it must relieve the burden of heavy freight travelling through the town and with considerable environmental benefits. Increased freight use of the line is something which the Friends have long since advocated and makes eminent sense. However, our line does seem to have been starved of freight with only a few regular trains these days.
Now to even more good news! After much lobbying, we can report that the No 11 bus service will be reinstated as a through service from Horton and Settle to Clitheroe via Slaidburn running Monday to Saturday, commencing on 8th April 2024. The service pattern will be roughly every 2 hours with 5 services each way, and with 4 services to Horton. It would seem bizarre but, until recent times, the service has terminated at the county boundary at Tosside. Thankfully, the Lancashire and North Yorkshire councils have reached agreement and residents of Slaidburn will now get a bus service in each direction, absent for several years. This will also provide excellent opportunity to visit the attractive Bowland area from Settle.
Meanwhile, the volunteer DalesBus team have been busy setting up new routes for the summer season. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, it has not been possible to reinstate a Sunday service on the 580/581 route, or the Sunday 881 service from Settle to Malham. The reasons are largely due to lack of available operator.
However, the prospects seem good for a new Sunday 830 service from Ribblehead to Richmond via Buttertubs Pass and also an 857 service from Garsdale Station to Hawes and onwards to Castle Bolton. At the same time, it is understood that the Saturday No 75 will operate a summer service from Settle to Malham, in all likelihood, offering two return services. The start dates are anticipated as 5th May for the 830 and 75 and 14th April for the 857 Garsdale service. More on these services in later articles.
There is no better time get out and use the local bus services, perhaps in conjunction with the train, particularly as the government-supported £2 fare cap extends until the end of December 2024.
The 580/581/582 still provides the regular Monday-Saturday connection to Skipton, Kirkby Lonsdale, and Lancaster whilst the No. 11 provides a useful Monday-Saturday service presently to Horton and Tosside, but shortly to be extended to Clitheroe. These services all call at the Market Place, Settle.
Further up the line, the Western Dales Bus provides the Saturday S1 connection from Dent Station to Sedbergh and Kendal. From Garsdale Station, the Little White Bus provides a Monday-Saturday connection to Hawes. From Kirkby Stephen station, the Saturday Stagecoach 563 runs to Penrith and connects with the 0850 northbound train from Settle.
I should also remind as to the benefits of the Dales Railcard offering one-third off a normal day-time fare for destinations including Leeds, Carlisle, and Morecambe plus stations in between. This is definitely worth having and can be purchased from Settle or Skipton ticket offices or online via the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Co with proof of local residency.
For details of all local bus services and any summer timetable changes please see www.dalesbus.org whilst for rail services see www.northernrailway.co.uk For assistance on any local transport matter please feel free to contact me and I would be pleased to help.
John Carey
john.carey@settle-carlisle.com
Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line
