The ESK VALLEY LINE is widely considered to be one of the hidden gems of the British railway network.  It offers a succession of constant surprises and stunning views along its 36 mile run to and from the traditional Yorkshire fishing port of Whitby.  Starting at the historic railway station in the centre of the North Yorkshire port and resort of Whitby, it runs through the picturesque landscapes and countryside of the valley of the River Esk, passing through well-kept stations and on to Grosmont, where it connects with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR).  The journey then continues through a succession of small communities on its way through the North York Moors National Park to the isolated station of Battersby, on the edge of the moors.  The train reverses here and continues to the heart of the vibrant city of Middlesbrough.

OUR ROLE

We want to work with the railway industry and government to develop the Esk Valley Railway as a national pilot project which will embody the key principles of the ‘sustainable branch line’ and bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits to Whitby and the Esk Valley - as well as providing improved travel opportunities for Tees Valley residents who do not have access to a car for visits to the North York Moors National Park and the East Coast.

The Esk Valley Railway Development Company project will:

 ·       Provide much-improved transport services to Whitby and the Esk Valley

·        Help promote integrated transport in Whitby and the Esk Valley

·        Support existing and create new businesses in Whitby and the Esk Valley

·        Create new transport-based employment

·        Create new transport-based training in Whitby

·        Help reduce traffic in Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors ‘hot spots’

·        Reduce social exclusion and promote access to employment and training

·        Provide access to the National Park and Whitby for people without access to a car

·        Investigate the longer term possibility of taking freight off the roads

·        Protect the heritage of this historic railway and ensure any development respects this heritage

·        Provide the basis for similar developments in other parts of the UK

You can read full details of our project strategy here.

ESK VALLEY LINE CHOSEN AS NATIONAL PILOT FOR COMMUNITY RAILWAYS

The Strategic Rail Authority (now subsumed into the Departmetn for Transport) announced the list of pilot community rail projects.  The hard work that had been done by EVRDC was justified with the inclusion of the Esk Valley line as one of those pilot projects. 

The seven lines designated as pilot demonstration projects by the SRA are:

• St Ives-St Erth (Cornwall)
• Looe-Liskeard (Looe Valley)
• Plymouth-Gunnislake (Tamar Valley Line)
• Watford Junction-St Albans Abbey (Abbey Line)
• Grantham-Skegness (Lincolnshire)
• Huddersfield-Barnsley (Penistone Line)
• Middlesbrough-Whitby (Esk Valley Line)

The pilot projects have been chosen to demonstrate different aspects of the Community Rail Development Strategy. The detailed proposals for each line will be confirmed following local consultation and discussion with the local authorities, Community Rail Partnerships or Railway Development Companies and Rail Passengers' Committees. Some aspects can be implemented quickly, others may take some months.

NEW VISION FOR LOCAL RAILWAYS

Supporters of Britain’s local and rural railways gave a resounding welcome to the Government’s strategy for rural railways. The Community Rail Development Strategy was unveiled in November 2004 by Alistair Darling, then Secretary of State for Transport. The Strategy sets out a framework for taking forward Britain’s local and rural railways forward as vital arteries of the local economy.

The federal body for rail partnerships, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships brings together over 60 community rail partnership officers and rail industry partners from all over the UK.  ACoRP has given strong endorsement to the Strategy. ‘We believe that this Strategy will pave the way towards a strong, sustainable future for local railways enabling them to play and even more important part in the lives of their communities,’ said Dr Paul Salveson, then general manager of ACoRP.

ACoRP has been closely involved in the development of the Strategy and paid tribute to the Strategic Rail Authority and Department for Transport in launching it after an extensive consultation process. ‘Over 300 responses were received during consultation on the Strategy', said ACoRP chair Peter Roberts. ‘These well-informed and supportive comments helped to shape the final version.’

Starting in 2007 steam trains will run through from Pickering and Goathland to Whitby for the first time.  The North York Moors Railway and the Esk Valley Railway Development Company are collaborating in this venture, which previously saw steam trains back on the Esk Valley Line between Whitby and Glaisdale.  These trips operate along a scenic stretch of the Esk Valley Line.  Normally the route sees nothing more glamorous than a diesel DMU but on summer days the line will echo to the sound of steam again!

EVRDC (the Esk Valley Railway Development Company) works closely with ACoRP  (the Association of Community Rail Partnerships).

Contacting us

To find out more about the Esk Valley Railway Development Company and its work and its aims and objectives, please contact us by telephone, by e-mail or by letter:

Telephone              (+44)  01947 825885

Postal address        The Bus & Rail Centre, Whitby Station, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1YN, England

E-mail                      Development Manager:      Angela Thirkill

    Click on the logo to return to the Esk Valley home page

updated 11thJune 2007