RAIL buffs campaigning to open a rail link from York to Beverley were today delighted after a study found the line would be economically viable.

The study, which was carried out by International Consulting Engineers Carl Bro of Leeds, says a half-hourly service would mean passengers enjoying a 50-minute journey time between the two Minster towns.

They have estimated the line would cost about £183 million to build and could reduce congestion and accidents on the A1079 and A166.

George McManus, chairman of the Minsters' Rail Campaign, today said he was delighted with the findings of the report.

He said: "We have long suspected that the line was feasible and now we have the economic and engineering data to proof it.

"It's still early days, but this is a massive hurdle which has been jumped. The project has enormous public support and we now need to lobby the relevant decision makers to take the next steps."

The old line was axed under the Dr Beeching cuts of the 1960s. Since then, campaigners argue there has been a massive increase in traffic in the area's roads, causing increased environmental damage and congestion particularly at holiday times.

The line was highlighted in a Countryside Agency report, in April 2003, which considered the prospect of railway reopenings.

That report considered that the route, which would pass through Market Weighton, would be an attractive alternative to car use, while also helping to serve popular tourist destinations and the Yorkshire Wolds.

The report concluded that the line had potential as a long-term reopening, which could play a major role in the development of a sub-regional transport strategy - linking Humberside and the Wolds with York.

It is estimated that as much as 95 per cent of the former track is under crops or open countryside. The other five per cent has been built on in areas like Pocklington, but campaigners think a diversion is possible through the old airfield.

Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, June 22, 2005