RAIL passengers could travel from Manchester to Grassington if a preliminary study sets the right wheels in motion.

The study has been commissioned by North Yorkshire County Council to look into the enhancement and extension of the branch line which runs from Skipton towards Grassington.

The news comes just days before the line celebrates its 100th birthday on July 29.

Part of the council's local transport plan, the study will look at a range of scenarios to see if rail transport for visitors to Upper Wharfedale could be achieved.

The work will be carried out by consultants Ove Arup and will cost around £15,000.

But Steve Broadbent, chairman of the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership, wants to see the study extended to look at an eventual link with East Lancashire.

He said any enhancement to the Grassington line, whether for passengers or freight, could bring positive environmental and commercial benefits to the area.

"More traffic on the Grassington branch will also strengthen the case for re-opening the Skipton-Colne line - it was closed in 1970," explained Mr Broadbent.

"Grassington-Skipton-Colne-Manchester is a natural route, not only because of the way the railway runs, but because it would allow Lancashire and Manchester people much easier access to the Dales around Skipton and Grassington without having to use the car.

"North Yorkshire County Council should consider extending the study to include the whole rail corridor into East Lancashire, opening up journey opportunities for business, education, tourism and leisure," said Mr Broadbent.

However, there are a number of difficulties that would need to be overcome before a Yorkshire/Lancashire link could become a reality.

Proposals put forward by Lancashire County Council to create a by-pass for Thornton-in-Craven would see more of the Lancashire trackbed removed and SELRAP is continuing its campaign against it.

The Upper Wharfedale study is still in its early stages and there are no immediate plans to extend it beyond the Grassington line.

Freight officer with North Yorkshire County Council Allan McVeigh told the Herald: "The study is basically a preliminary investigation into the feasibility of reopening the line for both passenger and freight use.

"The sort of things which will be looked at will be the potential for its reopening such as its need for businesses at Swinden Quarry and Threshfield, and what potential there is for passengers.

"This will include looking at possible weekday services, or whether the potential will be limited to weekends," he added.

The study should take around eight weeks to complete and will then be considered by the major stakeholders including the county council, Tarmac, Swinden Quarry and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

If the prospects for reopening the line are encouraging, a more in-depth feasibility study will be commissioned to look at aspects such as cost.

* The Herald is running a special feature next week on the Grassington line to coincide with its centenary.