NETWORK Rail is to start work on Skipton railway station in preparation for a future scheme to lengthen platforms.

Long-term, the company is planning improvements to the station to enable longer trains to run along the Leeds to Carlisle line, as part of plan to meet a growth in passenger numbers.

Work on lengthening the platforms is still a few years away, and the present project will not add any aesthetic improvements, a Network Rail spokesman said.

Residents in the Broughton Road area of Skipton have been informed to expect some disturbance – at weekday night times – when work takes place between Saturday and October 9.

The scheme involved a ground investigation survey before detailed design for the platform enhancement could be carried out.

"Under our licence conditions, we are contractually obliged to work, whenever possible, at times that cause the least disruption to train services," the spokesman added.

"Unfortunately, this means carrying out a lot of our improvements during the night and at weekends. Some disturbance is unavoidable, but every effort will be made to minimise any unnecessary noise."

By 2019, 20 per cent more passengers are expected to be travelling into Leeds each weekday morning and 14 per cent more into the other major towns and cities in the region, he said. Demand for rail freight is also predicted to increase by 23 per cent, and Network Rail is investing £4.2 billion to meet this overall increase.