Work has started on a £5 million project to reinstate a rail link between two quarries near Horton in Ribblesdale with the Settle to Carlisle railway line. 

Network Rail announced the move, which is expected to help remove as many as 16,000 lorry journeys from the local road network. 

Lafarge Tarmac is funding the initiative, and for several years the firm has been discussing how it can move materials between the two sites with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Craven District Council, local parish councils and residents. 

Scheme project manager for Network Rail Joelle Caldarelli said the project demonstrates the value of rail to the logistics industry. 

"Rail freight is better for the environment than road haulage and helps to remove thousands of vehicles from the road network," she commented. 

"Work has already started and involves building a new railway embankment."