THE Settle-Carlisle Railway Business Liaison Group is one of the voluntary organisations helping to promote the popular line. Its aims are to support the railway and appropriate developments, which will benefit the economy and communities of the corridor it serves.

The group has its origin in the joint effort to save the line from closure in the 1980s. But since being formally constituted in 1990 the group has developed, and now concentrates on supporting businesses and the communities within the corridor served by the railway. This has established by surveys among businesses to be at least 40 miles wide. And many businesses in Westmorland are now part of the growing band of members.

The economy of the area is diversifying from traditional agriculture through incentive schemes for businesses offered by the European Union, British Government and local authorities. There are many good reasons for the small independent business to locate in this area to benefit from the railway line.

Chairman of SCRBLG, Ruth Annison, said: "Passengers on the railway become customers of the businesses along the corridor as they eat, shop and spend.

"Equally, the hotels, B&Bs along the line send their customers to travel along the railway. The synegen between the line and communities is of immense value and our group is keen to foster those links."

The work of SCRBLG and information on the Settle-Carlisle line is now available on the website http://www.scrblg.co.uk.

The site aims to become a major resource for visitors, communities, businesses, government agencies and everyone who wants to see the area grow and prosper while retaining its heritage and core values.

Work is continuing to build a comprehensive reference on the website to all activities, facilities and businesses within the 100 parishes.

Chairman of Appleby Chamber of Trade, Carl Bendalow, said: "There is no doubt the Settle-Carlisle Railway brings many visitors to the town on day trips, particularly from Yorkshire on special excursion trips.

"It is a useful link for local people shopping or attending hospital in Carlisle and allows students access to college courses in Carlisle. My own daughter is at university in Newcastle and uses the train regularly to travel home for visits.

"We should also not forget the wider implication of the environmental benefit the line brings to our country - limestone from the Peak District is used to scrub gases from Drax power station in Yorkshire and is then brought to the Eden Valley by the Settle-Carlisle Railway as gypsum to be made in to plasterboard. This practice not only reduces air pollution but saves the need for mining in the Westmorland countryside."

On the group's website a webcam captures what is happening on the line at Kirkby Stephen. The camera is fixed to the house of group secretary Tony Sawyer who lives at Ing Hill Lodge, in Mallerstang. Those interested in joining the group can contact Tony on 017683-71153 or can log on to the website and see live action of the line and more at http://www.scrblg.co.uk

May 14, 2003 09:00