A £4.2m investment in Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station will mean Yorkshire Three Peaks walkers no longer having to cross the tracks at the end of the 24-mile challenge.

A footbridge with lifts is being installed at the station on the Settle to Carlisle line to make crossing the tracks safer for both walkers and rail passengers  - and more accessible.

The station is close to Penyghent, traditionally the first to be climbed by walkers doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Having tackled Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, walkers cross the railway tracks over a foot crossing to finish the challenge in Horton.

And its not just walkers, train passengers also have to cross the tracks using the foot crossing.

The footbridge is expected to be completed by July this year, with work to install the lifts being completed in September. In the meantime, a temporary crossing is in place at the north end of the station.

Rory Kingdon, senior sponsor at Network Rail, said: “I’d like to thank passengers and walkers for bearing with us whilst we install a footbridge with lifts at Horton-in-Ribblesdale station. This work will make crossing at the station safer and more accessible for all.”

£1m of the funding is coming from the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said it was part of the Government's aim to encourage more people to travel by train.

He said: “Passengers deserve an inclusive, accessible railway and it’s great to see these essential upgrades are getting underway at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, made possible through the Government’s Access for All programme.

“This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensuring the rail network works for everyone, investing in infrastructure that will deliver easy and enjoyable journeys for passengers and encourage more people to travel by train.”

Kerry Peters, regional director for train operator, Northern, which manages the station, said: “Anything that improves the accessibility credentials of our stations is welcomed and this new bridge and lifts at Horton-in-Ribblesdale station will make a real difference to the travel experience of people visiting the area. We look forward to the work being complete and available for customers to use later this year.”

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, added: "It's great to see investment going towards improving safety for passengers and walkers in this wonderful area. I'm pleased that the project keeps accessibility in mind too."