The summer season is here at last and there is every reason for optimism, particularly with the No 11 bus service to Clitheroe now in full swing and the roll out of the DalesBus summer timetable. More on these later.
Meanwhile, whilst rail services had largely performed satisfactorily, we experienced a number of incidents at the start of May including signal failures, train failures, the continued industrial action, and a shortage of stock.
It was unfortunate but the stock shortage coincided with the popular Ride 2 Stride walking festival, and we heard of passengers being left on platforms, unable to board on at least one occasion, a 2-car unit being deployed in place of the normal 3. The reason was a maintenance issue on the 3-carriage sets which are, we understand, leased from Porterbrook, and were temporarily removed from service. It highlights the fact that, despite the significant amounts spent on our railways, we do not have adequate carriage stock.
For a line such the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle (I purposely use the full title) which is significantly used for leisure purposes, suitable stock should be a given. Passengers do not expect to stand, and the catering trolley should be able to pass down the aisle. Also, we have long argued for adequate cycle space. Believe it or not, cyclists prefer to take their expensive machines with them rather than leave them locked up at the stations and we support the need for sustainable onward travel into the Dales.
Access to and from the Yorkshire Dales National Park by public transport is a hot topic. Many a fine word is spoken but rather frustratingly, not enough is done about it. We frequently witness the carnage at Malham with cars littered along the road. The answer seems to be to open up another field!
However, public transport is rising up the agenda with the National Park and North Yorkshire Council (NYC) thanks to lobbying by organisations such as our colleagues at Friends of the Dales and indeed ourselves. It is ironic that the railway passes through some of the finest scenery in the country and yet travel away from the line to some nearby destinations is challenging except for the most committed traveller. We really must have viable alternatives to the private car.
Do we really want to see a sprawl of car parking in the Dales as, surely, this destroys the very thing that visitors come to enjoy? A regular bus service to such a prime visitor destination is essential.
Hawes presents yet another example of where journeys are typically made by private car and yet the community is only 6 miles from the railhead at Garsdale. Visitors via this route are comparatively small, most driving in from the east, and yet there is an opportunity here. We have to get better at promoting any public transport alternatives with seamless connections and ticketing.
The new railway path from Garsdale to Hawes is in the advanced stages of planning and, when it hopefully comes into being in a few years’ time, this will present an excellent sustainable way of reaching the village combined with the bus option for the return.
Since last writing, the extended No 11 bus service has started with 5 full journeys to Clitheroe and 4 to Horton. The first service to Clitheroe departs the Market Place at 0857 and 2 hourly thereafter. Not only has the bus opened up travel opportunities to local residents, but it has created access to the scenic Bowland area for car-free walking as many have now discovered. In addition, the 580/581/582 continues to provide the regular Monday-Saturday connection from the Market Place, Settle to Skipton, Kirkby Lonsdale, and Lancaster whilst the No. 75 provides a useful Saturday service to Malham.
The news for Settle gets even better. As from 8th June, there will be a Saturday-only rail 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. The service will run all year.
Meanwhile, there are two new Sunday DalesBus routes within easy reach of Settle. The 830 Northern DalesBus runs from Ribblehead to Richmond via Buttertubs Pass departing Ribblehead at 1045. This is the route once featured on the BBC4 TV programme ‘All Aboard the Country Bus’ a few years ago. The 857 ‘Wensleydale Explorer’ provides a service from Garsdale Station to Hawes and Castle Bolton departing the station at 1055 and a variety of journey options. Both services meet the 1019 train from Settle and run until 20th October.
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 provides a connection to Penrith from the 0850 northbound train from Settle.
There is no better time get out and use the local bus and train services including the Bentham line. I should also remind that the government-supported £2 bus fare cap extends until the end of December 2024. For details of all local summer bus services please see www.dalesbus.org (or the green DalesBus booklets) whilst for rail services see www.northernrailway.co.uk For assistance on any local transport matter please feel free to contact john.carey@settle-carlisle.com and I would be delighted to help.
John Carey
Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line
