A major new report has revealed that the privately run Wensleydale Railway is bringing £700,000 into the local economy every year.

Added to that it supports 24 full time employees and a host of volunteering opportunities.

The study – commissioned by Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils, Yorkshire Forward and North Yorkshire County Council looked into the contribution the railway makes to the region. Train users, visitors, businesses and key stakeholders were asked for their views on the service which links Leeming Bar to Leyburn.

The current impacts of the railway were assessed along with how much greater the benefits will be with the proposed developments of the railway to extend the line to Northallerton.

The railway’s spending generates over £220,000 worth of business locally, and over £360,000 regionally. Added to this is the spending by visitors to the railway giving a total contribution to the local economy of £700,000 a year. On top of that the railway tries to use local businesses as much as possible.

Ian Sesnan, Chairman of the Wensleydale Railway plc welcomed the report. “We have always thought that we must be making a big impact on the local economy but it is only when you see it documented that you realise how much. All of this is achieved with no subsidy from the public purse,” he said.

He said that plans to expand - both to Northallerton and westwards – will increase the benefits even more. Estimates show that by 2013 up to 42 local and 67 regional jobs could be supported by the railway.

The study notes that once the Wensleydale Railway is connected to Northallerton station on the East Coast Main Line, additional community benefits will be achieved as links to key services, particularly schools, doctors and the Friarage Hospital, are made.

The Wensleydale Railway is close to announcing its preferred route for the re-opening into Northallerton Station and will shortly be consulting on its medium term plans for other extensions.