PLATFORM

Walkers benefit from enhanced historical railway trail

FURTHER to the article by Geoff Courtney in last month’s issue about the Grosmont to Goathland line station of Beck Hole in NorthYorkshire, I would like to draw attention to the work that has recently been carried out on the trackbed that is now a popular rail trail.

The work has been undertaken by the NorthYork Moors National Park Authority as part of its National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported Land of Iron project, which tells the story of the area’s role in the industrial growth in the 100 years following the opening of the Whitby & Pickering Railway in 1835-36.

Three historical former railway bridges between the site of Beck Hole station and Grosmont have been renovated to a very high standard, with the work including rebuilding the stonework using stone sourced from a quarry less than three miles away, and the installation of additional rock to mitigate erosion.

The site of the Esk Valley ironstone mine, which was adjacent to the line and one of the sources of goods traffic, has been cleared and the adjacent powder store building restored. Furthermore, new information boards have been installed telling the trail’s many walkers the history of the line and its associated industries.

All this work, which was carried out with protective measures for the important wildlife habitats in the river and woodland around the trail, has vastly enhanced the experience of walking along this