PEOPLE living in an isolated dale are to be reconnected to the national rail network The US company that now runs the Weardale Railway heritage line is hoping to restore a passenger link on the symbolic date of July 4.

Mark Westerfield, director of transition for British American Rail Services, said it is a major step for the volunteerrun service.

Network Rail is contracted to begin welding tracks and setting up signal lights from July 4 and Mr Westerfield said passengers could be travelling from Stanhope to Bishop Auckland before the end of the summer.

The reconnection could transform Weardale and the North Pennines into a major tourism destination.

An incentive to travel west into Weardale could also inject life into Bishop Auckland’s economy.

“It will not only represent the symbolism of that date but it will also be the physical reconnection of the line between the valley and the dale and the network at large,” he added.

The last scheduled passenger service from Bishop Auckland to Wearhead ran on June 27, 1953.

The last freight train ran on March 17, 1993 to Eastgate cement works.

Chairman of Weardale Railway Trust Kevin Hilary said: “The volunteers have been looking forward to this for a very long time and it is a major boost for Bishop Auckland and Weardale.

“When we actually start running the trains down the line it will be a monumental day.”

Bishop Auckland councillor Neil Harrison said: “Anything that promotes tourism and is bringing jobs to the area is a good thing, especially in these difficult times.”

The news comes as Helen Goodman MP called for the Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum to press for improvements to be made to the Darlington-Bishop Auckland line.

The Bishop Auckland MP said: “The railway station is a gateway to the town for visitors and we should be encouraging local people to also use public transport more regularly.

“I know that the state of the station buildings, the irregularity of the timetable and the slowness of the line to Darlington are real issues, and I think that the Town Centre Forum should be taking this forward, and as soon as possible.”