CAMPAIGNERS for a better rail service in Gargrave will once again be able to catch trains to Carlisle from Monday.

Last May, there was public outcry in the village when the 9.47am Leeds to Carlisle train was converted to a Glasgow express service.

This meant that 10 local stations, including Gargrave, lost their connection to and from Carlisle.

A number of user groups protested about the changes, including members of Gargrave Women's Institute.

Subsequently, pressure was also applied by the Aire Valley Rail Users' Group (AVRUG), which campaigns for better train services for Leeds, Bradford, Shipley, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton and Gargrave.

Northern Spirit's regional director Peter Cushing promised to take the comments on board at the end of last year and said there would be trains running to Carlisle once again with the issue of the summer timetable.

A glance at the new timetable shows these were not empty promises, with Gargrave having its direct link to the Settle-Carlisle railway restored from Monday.

At 09.32 the northbound train will call at Gargrave before proceeding to Carlisle at 11.29.

The train calls at local stations along the Settle-Carlisle railway, including Appleby, Kirkby Stephen and Ribblehead. The return service leaves Carlisle at 16.22, calling at local stations before reaching Gargrave at 18.16.

These two trains will enable Gargrave residents and visitors to take a day out in the Dales or Carlisle.

There are connections at Carlisle for onward travel to and from Scotland. The new service supplements the existing train services to Leeds, Lancaster and Morecambe.

Mr Cushing said: "By working closely with AVRUG this new service is a testimony to our commitment to listen to local people and to meet their travel needs."

Tim Calow, chairman of AVRUG, urged local residents to use the new service.

He added: "The train is a wonderful way of getting out into the Dales. Gargrave residents can enjoy local travel at bargain prices by purchasing a Dales railcard at Skipton station and we would recommend trying the train.

"We want to see this service well supported, as this will help us to justify further improvements to the train service at Gargrave. We are campaigning for more Carlisle trains to call - especially the Sunday trains - and are supporting the bid for improved services on the line to Lancaster.

"In the longer term better train services on the railways to Lancaster and Carlisle can persuade motorists to leave their cars at home. This can help to relieve congestion, reduce accidents and improve the environment along the A65 and in the Dales."