A North Yorkshire rail line is to become a national pilot project which will see more people travelling by rail and cause less damage to the environment.

The North York Moors National Park Authority's planning committee is being recommended to support the new Community Rail plan for the pictureque Esk Valley rail line which runs from Whitby to Middlesbrough.

Bill Breakell, the park's tourism and transport officer, says in a report to the committee: "The aim is to increase the number of passengers and by doing so lessen the damage caused by road transport in the park."

The railway, which dates back to the 1830s is vital to Whitby and the remote Esk Valley says Mr Breakell.

It survived the infamous Beeching plan of 1965 mainly because of the need for an all-weather life line for the valley villages and to carry students to schools in Whitby.

Now, the Strategic Rail Authority is to give the line a new lease of life.

Funding has been provided by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, and The Countryside Agency.

The new community rail company for the Esk line has employed a development manager and an assistant.

The new community railway venture will improve accessibility to the National Park, reduce traffic congestion in Whitby and potentially help reduce accidents the roads to Pickering, Middlesbrough and Saltburn says Mr Breakell.

The park authority is to be part of the pilot project and the Esk Valley Railway Development Company which has been set up.