A NORTH Yorkshire railway line will reopen this weekend after repair work led to trains being replaced by buses.

Work on four bridges along the Esk Valley line has meant bus services being put in place between Whitby and Middlesbrough since the start of the month.

The £2 million scheme has so far been delayed because of bad weather, structural problems, difficulties with a crane and the discovery of a nesting bird at one of the sites. The line will now reopen at 6am on Saturday.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “I apologise unreservedly to everybody who has been inconvenienced by the extended programme.

“We are very aware of the disruption it is causing to passengers and the local community, and are making every effort to complete the works in a safe manner and as quickly as possible.”