Sir, – I was surprised to read of Wensleydale Railway’s ambitious plans for Aysgarth station (D&S, April 10). Surprised, as they appear to be unwilling or unable to carry out essential maintenance works at their existing Redmire rail facilities.

For some years now Redmire has been suffering flooding at times of heavy rain. This is largely due to run-off from the track bed and associated access track causing volumes of water to flow through the village, far in excess of those that can be handled by the road drainage system. Residents are forced to use sand bags in an attempt to stop the water entering their properties.

In the past the bulk of this water was diverted to a stream to the east of the village by a gutter created for this purpose running along the northern edge of the railway access track. After years of neglect this gutter is now mostly filled in. Responsibility for the maintenance of this gutter lies with Wensleydale Railway as leaseholder of Network Rail’s Redmire property.

In June 2013, a fellow Redmire parish councillor and myself met Nigel Park of Wensleydale Railway to discus the flooding problems and the possible reinstatement of the gutter. The discussions concluded on a positive note with Nigel promising to discuss this matter with his engineer and report back to the parish council ASAP.

Since that meeting, which is now almost two years ago. we have heard nothing. This is despite numerous telephone calls to his office, which are never returned, several emails and a recorded delivery letter from the parish council.

As normal means of communication would appear to have failed I am resorting to this medium to ask Nigel for his report.

Cllr ANDREW JORDAN

Chairman Redmire Parish Council.