Network Rail has announced in a letter to residents that it plans to undertake line-side clearance of vegetation in the Dringhouses area in preparation for the upgrading of the Transpennine railway. It has organised a drop-in session for residents on Tuesday 29 November at St Edward the Confessor Church Hall from 4pm to 7pm.

Representatives from Network Rail and contractor QTS will be present to answer questions. There will also be a presentation at 5pm and 6pm.

To enable electrification of the railway, Network Rail will be removing vegetation from 6.5 meters either side of the tracks (from big trees to small bushes) to allow safe clearance for the gantries and wires.

Network Rail will also be renewing fencing along the route. Dependant on the location they will be using either stock proof fencing or green palisade fencing. Before work starts, an ecological survey will be carried out. Any protected species or nesting birds are identified and appropriate methods of working are put into place.