A LINK to the main line at Northallerton is crucial to a project to restore scheduled passenger trains to the Wensleydale railway, it was said on Monday.

The Wensleydale Railway Company was revealing more about its future plans and describing developments at Leeming Bar station, the starting point for the first passenger services to Leyburn on Friday, July 4.

Contractors moved in this week to begin altering and extending the platform at Leeming Bar, making it more accessible for the disabled. Similar work will be done at Leyburn in preparation for the first trains, which will run daily until the end of October and will be aimed initially at the tourist market.

The rail company hopes that as passenger services are developed and extended in succeeding years, the 22-mile branch line - leased from Network Rail for 99 years in a development unique since the rail system was privatised - will become part of the national network and will be used by local people for work journeys, easing pressure on the overloaded A684 road.

Though he could give no likely timescale, chief executive Scott Handley said a priority for Wensleydale Railway was the restoration of a passenger connection at Northallerton.

Until regular passenger services ended in 1954, Wensleydale line trains used a dead-end platform at Northallerton, the site of which is now occupied by a station car park. Main line trains now travel through Northallerton at speeds of up to 125mph and masts erected for overhead electrification have encroached on to part of the old Wensleydale line track bed north of the station.

Through ticketing arrangements, enabling people using the revived Wensleydale line to travel anywhere on the national network, were among the conditions of a passenger licence granted to Wensleydale Railway by rail regulator, Tom Winsor.

Mr Handley said, however, that the company had been allowed to defer through ticketing until a connection had been established again at Northallerton.

He revealed that the company was considering options for a temporary station just outside Northallerton, though this would have to be linked to local public transport to enable passengers to reach the town, but the ultimate aim was to run trains into the main station.

Mr Handley said: ''We are working with Network Rail, the Strategic Rail Authority and the county council to try to find a solution. 'We have to lead on this. It is not a high priority for the rest of the network but an important project for us.''

Two years ago, some parish councillors voiced concern at possible traffic congestion caused by visitors when trains began running from Leeming Bar.

Questioned about the issue on Monday, Mr Handley indicated that there would be detailed signs and arrangements were being made for a park and ride system. The company had been working with local businesses, some of which had offered space for overflow parking.

Coun Bob Pocklington, vice-chairman of the previous Aiskew Parish Council, said later: "The attitude we took was that we generally welcomed the development but were wary of excessive parking that could be a source of nuisance to people in Leeming Bar. "There can only be a limited number of people on the train and I don't envisage massive problems, but if there are any we will have to keep an eye on the situation.

"If growth is as they hope and expect, they will have to make sure that facilities are appropriate to that growth and we will do everything we can to help.''

Private investment and a public share issue which has so far raised more than £1m have enabled Wensleydale Railway to reach the present stage in its ambitious plans.

Mr Handley, who described this as a "bedding-in year,'' said: "We are now in full control of the railway, maintaining the track, stations and signals and running the trains. The same regulations apply as on the main line.''

He added that further improvements envisaged next year to track and signalling should enable the company to increase the frequency of passenger services and attract trains hauled by steam engines.

The company had been talking to three companies along the route which were interested in moving freight by rail, helping to replace the daily limestone traffic lost in 1992, when the then British Steel pulled out of Redmire quarry.

Describing longer term plans to reinstate 18 miles of lost railway between Redmire and Garsdale, on the Settle to Carlisle line, Mr Handley said: "Rural railways have seen a decline in service and standards over the years. We have to try to buck that trend.''

The first passenger services this year will be operated by a refurbished 42-year-old three-car diesel multiple unit leased for five years, but privately preserved main line Class 31 diesel locomotives will also be sent to Wensleydale to work trains with some of the 15 renovated coaches bought by Wensleydale Railway. It is hoped that trains can call at Bedale station once questions of access have been resolved.

A high profile campaign involving a former British Transport Police officer, now a Wensleydale Railway volunteer, is planned to discourage people from flouting safety regulations by walking, exercising dogs or riding horses on the line, which is already used by occasional army trains.