ONE of the country's most picturesque branch lines, once threatened with the axe, could become a test bed for proposals to give rural railways back to local communities.

The Esk Valley line, which winds its way from Middlesbrough to Whitby through Great Ayton and numerous wayside stations on the North York Moors, has been chosen as one of five national pilot schemes aimed at designating so-called community railways.

The Strategic Rail Authority, which has launched a consultation exercise with a deadline of May 28, wants to build on existing community rail partnerships which bring together the industry, local authorities and people with an interest in securing the future of branch lines for passenger and freight services.

The SRA, which in July will produce a document indicating the way forward, based on the consultations, wants to open the way to a fresh approach to the operation, maintenance and marketing of routes like the Esk Valley line.

Its aim is to increase passenger volume and income, involve local communities more closely in the development of their railways, make better use of subsidies and boost tourism with better timetabling.

The SRA believes that designated community railways will open the way to simplified operating standards, reducing the costs of operating and improving low speed, infrequently used lines without compromising safety or quality.

Proposals for local management and performance systems, fares, ticketing and integration between bus and rail services would all be tested on pilot schemes.

The SRA consultation document suggests that more non-profit development companies could be created, being responsible for some rail services including trains on certain lines.

It adds that service levels could be varied to reflect seasonal tourist numbers. Some fares could rise, and others fall, to correspond more closely to those on local buses.

The SRA acknowledges that an approach similar to its proposals has already been adopted on the Esk Valley line which, although seen as a vital link for isolated rural communities, faced the possibility of closure under British Rail in the eighties.

The Esk Valley Railway Development Company was formed six years ago and company secretary Neil Buxton said: "We will be developing a positive response to the consultation paper.

"This paper is an important milestone towards achieving our vision of a high quality, affordable, accessible and fully integrated rural railway and will help us with the work we are already undertaking on the line."

The North York Moors national park authority has worked closely with local partners, the rail industry and the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) to establish the railway development company.

Bill Breakell, national park tourism and transport officer, said: "The SRA has firmly nailed its colours to the mast in this report and is fully behind the role of rural railways in bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.

"The Esk Valley line is not without its difficulties, but with the completion of track re-laying in the next 12 months, recent bridge upgrading and other improvements we will have a railway which will make a real difference to travel in the area."

Peter Roberts, chairman of ACoRP, said: "The consultation paper is remarkably upbeat and positive."

The proposals were given a more cautious welcome by the Countryside Alliance, whose chief executive Simon Hart said they would be supported as long as they included a commitment to maintaining service levels.

"Involving communities in the development of rural rail services is a positive step in addressing the decline in rural transport provision and examples of community involvement in schemes across the country set an encouraging precedent.

"While we accept the SRA's assurance that its proposals are designed to develop these railways there there is still concern that they could leave rural and local lines vulnerable to neglect in the longer term."

* Leading article: page 22.