TOURISM in the Yorkshire Dales is set to be boosted by the full reopening of a popular railway line following a £23m repair project.

The Settle to Carlisle route was severed in Cumbria in February last year after half a million tonnes of earth gave way under the tracks following weeks of heavy rain.

Now, after Network Rail investment, the line is set to reopen on Friday and the iconic Flying Scotsman will make a special trip along it to celebrate the occasion.

The reopening of the whole line - which is normally used by more than a million passengers each year - will be a welcome boost to the region’s tourism industry.

The 72-mile route takes passengers through the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley and includes the famous Ribblehead Viaduct.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority chief executive David Butterworth said: “Twenty years ago, we might have been looking at line closure beyond Appleby.

“Instead, Network Rail embraced the enormous undertaking to repair the line and we are grateful that they did.

“The Settle-Carlisle line brings considerable economic, transport and environmental benefits to the National Park.

“Five stations lie within the park, Kirkby Stephen, Garsdale, Dent, Ribblehead and Horton-in-Ribblesdale, while Settle station lies just outside the boundary.

“It means that residents can have days out to market towns, while tourists can visit, without the need for a car.

“I am very pleased to see the great railway reopen in time for the holiday season and wish the operator every success.”

Mark Rand, of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line said its members were “thrilled”.

He said that since the line was partially closed there had been a 60 to 70 per cent reduction in passengers.

Mr Rand, who will be onboard the Flying Scotsman on Friday, added: “We certainly expect the countryside to be full of spectators, that is the case with any steam train but the Flying Scotsman is particularly special.”

Network Rail said the repair work was among the most challenging projects seen on Britain’s railways for the last 15-years.

The first Northern service will depart Carlisle at 5.50am on Friday and The Flying Scotsman has a scheduled stop at Appleby at 12.04pm.