Concerns grow in Dales over rail masts 'blight'

The masts, which will be up to 29 metres (95ft) in height – are part of Network Rail's plans to build around 2,200 across the country for a new national railway communications system.

Three will be on pre-existing sites in the national park, although the fourth will be built to 15 metres on a new site near Garsdale station, in the north of the Dales, by the existing railway sidings.

A mast at Dent station will be built to 29 metres high, but cut down to 15 metres (49ft) after 2012, when the current communication system is shut down , making it the same height as the Garsdale mast.

The masts at Ribblehead and Horton-in-Ribblesdale stations will be built to 18 metres (92ft), but also reduced to 15 metres after the current system is cut off in 2012.

The Craven district chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Hilary Fenten, said: "We're worried about the height and about the colour but we're keen to have an increase of traffic on the line because it's ideal for the environment.

"But it's a beautiful landscape. For the sheer aesthetics, we don't want something ugly going through this landscape."

Network Rail has looked at locations with stakeholders including the Wensleydale Railway, Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

It said it has considered a number of factors for the siting of masts, such as visual impact, access to power, accessibility and proximity to sensitive land issues.

A spokesman added: "This new system will allow continuous direct communication between train drivers and signallers for the first time.

"This means a safer, more reliable and punctual rail service throughout Britain, including on the Settle to Carlisle line."

The only railway masts in the Yorkshire Dales are the three from the current network but there are a number of mobile phone masts already in the national park area.

Sarah Wright, of campaigning group Mast Sanity, claimed research suggested masts could cause damage to plant life and trees in the national park.

She added: "The masts are possibly not very pleasant looking, but the problem is the damage they do to the ecosystem. Network Rail can change their minds so we would advise them to."

Network Rail is holding a public drop-in session about the masts next Thursday, December 2, between 3pm and 7pm at The Station Inn, in Ribblehead, near Ingleton.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's head of planning, Peter Watson, said: "We are aware that Network Rail is undertaking a public consultation prior to considering whether or not to progress with their plans.

"If they wish to erect the masts they should seek planning permission from the local planning authority, which is Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

"We judge every application on its own merits, on the basis of the policies in the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan."

The iconic Settle to Carlisle line opened in 1876 and is famous for its Victorian architecture. It survived two closure attempts in the 1960s and 1980s.

Mark Rand, chairman of the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line, said it was a "sensitive issue" but his group has been working with Network Rail and is behind the plans.

He added: "We acknowledge the absolute need for communication along the line and masts are necessary."

Network Rail hopes to have its Railway Communications System (RCS) operational across Britain by 2014.

But the siting of masts is provoking upset around the country.

Residents in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, blocked Network Rail's attempts to install a 15 metre mast close to their homes in June this year. The locals, who were concerned about how the mast would look and about a nearby badger sett, parked a car across an access point to the railway line, preventing contractors from carrying out their work.

Network Rail subsequently said it would consider moving the location some 30 metres from the original site proposed.

Concerns have also been raised in Kent and Devon.