A NEW railway communications system will result in 100-feet masts scattered around Craven's countryside.

Network Rail intends to install the masts, which are twice as high as mobile phone masts and taller than Skipton's Victoria Mill chimney, as part of a national programme to improve communications.

Twelve masts are planned for Craven - at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Ribblehead, Hellifield, Settle, Clapham, Cononley and Skipton stations, Coniston Cold and Low Paley Green bridges, Low Bentham and at Hollinwood and Rylstone on the Swinden Quarry line.

In a letter to Craven District Council Steven Mills, of Network Rail, wrote: "The masts are required because Network Rail is replacing its analogue radio systems with a digital communications system called GSM-R that will, for the first time, provide a national system of secure driver to signaller communication."

The GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communication - Railways) system needs to be implemented by 2006.

Madeleine Klaasen-bof, head of communications for Network Rail, said the company was aware residents would not be happy about the size of the masts. "We are in ongoing discussions with the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which took the view that it doesn't like the proposed masts."

She added the authorities could chose whether to hold their own public consultation or ask Network Rail to do so.

However alternatives to the masts are limited. Network Rail says it would consider taller masts and fewer of them or smaller masts and more of them.

Two other systems could theoretically be used - satellite or cable.

Network Rail says that using satellite could be unreliable and cable would be "phenomenally expensive".

The GSM-R system masts are of a lattice construction up to 29 metres high, with a three metre slim antenna system and a 1.5 metre lightning conductor on top. At the base of each mast is an equipment building and generator unit.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park and Craven District Council have been notified as planning authorities, but the rail company has permitted development rights, which means it does not need planning permission to erect the masts.

However, the national park has successfully applied to the Secretary of State for an article four direction, which means the masts will now have to be put forward as planning applications.

Head of planning Peter Watson said: "They seem to be excessively large and potentially very obtrusive. The Settle-Carlisle line is entirely in a conservation area and we don't want to see large masts if we can possibly avoid it."

Craven District Council will also consider an article four direction at its planning meeting on Tuesday.

Duncan Hartley, head of planning, says in a report to the meeting: "Clearly a construction standing at 33 metres tall is likely to have a significant material effect on the amenities of any landscape.

"Some of the masts are also likely to have a significant adverse impact on neighbour amenity where located near to residential properties and on the character of conservation areas and the setting of listed buildings. It is my view that the masts do comprise a real and specific threat to the special character of Craven."

However he warned: "Network Rail is advancing strong safety reasons for the masts and the authority may have little option but to approve such applications."

Chairman of the Friends of Settle to Carlisle Line Philip Johnston said: "We are very much aware of the problems concerning communications in the more isolated areas of the line. We would point out though that there are alternatives but they are significantly more expensive. We are concerned about anything which will detract from the scenic beauty of the line."

Settle Town Council discussed the proposal on Monday and gave it approval, feeling it was essential to safety.