VICTORIA Mill chimney in Skipton is a landmark easily visible for miles around. And a very pleasing structure it is too, a reminder of our historic past and an architectural enhancement to the town.

Imagine then a radio mast, even taller, more than 100 feet high plonked on the town's railway station. And imagine similar massive structures at various points on one of Britain's most famous, most scenic lines, the Settle to Carlisle railway.

The authorities have expressed their "concern" but strip away that sentiment and there is a clear message: we are going to have to like it or lump it.

The masts are seen as essential for safety on the railway. No-one can possibly gainsay the need to travel on the railway in safety and it will be difficult to advance an argument against these giants.

Accidents are no longer acts of God but someone's fault and every reasonable step must be taken to avoid them. Even though accidents have been mercifully rare in the 156 years since railways came to Skipton, and 126 since the route through the Dales via Settle was opened, and the railway remains the safest form of transport, the case for improvements is overwhelming.

There can only be hope for pressing the case for smaller masts but more of them. That seems to be the only compromise on offer for what will be an ugly intrusion into the special character of the Craven area.