Exactly a year ago this very month saw the downward lurch of the Settle-Carlisle rail line by 2.5 meters, resulting in the shifting of half-a-million tons of solid ground, thus putting the railway in jeopardy of being destroyed along that line, causing chaos for all involved. In order to restore the services that the railway in this part of the country originally provided until the ground slipped beneath its feet, Network Rail have committed to a project worth in total around £23 million, which will be devoted towards installing two separate rows of concrete-containing tubes. These will be installed into Eden gorge in the proximity of Armathwaite.
An ambitious venture to say the least, this particular initiative by Network Rail will involve the haulage and implementation of almost 3,000 tons worth of concrete material onto the site. In between the start of this month and March, 42 vehicles specializing in concrete mixing will be deployed in order to ensure that this scheme goes ahead as planned. Mister Phil Middleton of Network Rail has announced his confidence that the progress during this time towards this particular step of the proceedings will ensure that the Settle-Carlisle line will be up and running again by the 31st March of this year. Indeed, he has also expressed his gratitude towards the patience of locals in the region, particularly in and around the surrounding areas of Cumwhinton, who will undoubtedly hear the heavy transportation of the concrete to ensure that these huge repair operations actually take place.
Similarly, Paul Barnfield of Northern Rail has explained that whilst it has been a hard-going and tough year for passengers unable to use the Settle-Carlisle line, the implementation of these necessary repair works will enable them to use the line connecting Carlisle with Leeds again as normal in not too long an amount of time from now on.
