A RAILWAY company that intends to install 100ft masts around Craven's countryside has a fight on its hands.

Craven District Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and various parish councils have united against the proposal from Network Rail to install 12 communication masts along local railway lines.

The masts, which are twice as high as mobile phone communication masts, will be installed to improve the communication network.

They are planned for: Low Bentham, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Ribblehead, Hellifield, Settle, Clapham, Low Paley Green (near Giggleswick), Coniston Cold, Cononley, Skipton and at Hollinwood and Rylstone on the quarry line.

But councillors have accused the company of taking the cheap option and sacrificing the landscape for economy.

Coun Marcia Turner, who described the masts as Blackpool Towers, said: "I object to 33 metre high masts anywhere really. It might be on top of a hill in which case we are talking a ridiculous height. There is no reason why they shouldn't lay a cable.

"They have this advanced technology, yet they are going for the cheap option and are ignoring the environment. The environment should not be sacrificed for a ha'p'orth."

Madeleine Klaasen-bof, head of communications for Network Rail refuted this.

"Clearly Network Rail is driven by wanting to improve the network safety, quality and reliability but we have to do that economically," she said. "Our motto is excellence in engineering for the railways, however we have to do that minding the pennies.

"We are investing a great deal of money in the network, and chose that height of mast for a whole range of reasons. Cost was not our prime motivator at all."

Resident of Paley Green Margaret Airey said that the structure would dwarf her house. "This is a very open area," she said.

Coun Paul English added his concerns that one of the masts could be installed at Skipton station which would be surrounded by residences.

"This isn't a case of 'not in my back yard' but smack in the middle of my yard," he said. "This is going to be the biggest structure in Craven."

Hellifield and Cononley Parish Councils and Skipton Town Council have added their objections.

Craven District Council's planning committee agreed to apply for an article four direction, which if granted means the company must seek planning permission.

However planning development manager Sian Watson warned that the authority would probably not have the grounds to refuse the masts.

They also agreed to continue negotiating with Network Rail about other alternatives, and to press for public consultation.

"Clearly there is a very real need for these things," said Coun Mark Wheeler. "It seems to me this proposal is just a starting point to provoke debate."