Passengers on the Esk Valley line will be travelling over four new bridges after Network Rail completes major improvement works over the half-term holiday.

The work will see engineers working around the clock to replace Danby, Duck, Thorneywaite and Carr End bridges on the line between Middlesbrough and Whitby.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “This route is vital for hundreds of children who use the train to travel to school each day. After considerable discussion with Northern Rail it was clear these essential improvements needed to be scheduled for the school holidays in order to minimise disruption.

“This decision to schedule the works during the jubilee weekend was not taken lightly. These bridges are nearing the end of their life and need to be replaced. Network Rail has already given an undertaking that substantial engineering works of this kind will not be scheduled during the Olympics. The autumn and winter school holidays are not suitable as large cranes are required to lift the bridges which cannot operate in bad weather.

“We are doing everything possible to complete the works in a timely way to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.”

Northern Rail trains on the Middlesbrough to Whitby line will be disrupted for nine days from Saturday 2nd June. All other works are being completed while trains are running.

Richard Allan, area director for Northern Rail, said: “We hope that our passengers on the Esk Valley line will appreciate the work Network Rail is undertaking in June. The route is a crucial link for the local community and the work being done will ensure it will continue to provide not only a safe rail service between Whitby and Middlesbrough but also a reliable one, for years to come.”

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway will run additional services to Whitby during the bridge replacements as they operate on a different route.