Station entrance plans on hold due to access concerns

Plans to upgrade a seaside railway station's forecourt have been deferred due to "serious concerns" about its public access.

The development of Scarborough Station's entrance, which has been ongoing for the past three years, would include new seating, a taxi rank, a pedestrian plaza and changes to accessible parking.

However the project has been criticised for being a "substantial departure" from the original plans and not having a dedicated drop-off area, which would especially affect people with disabilities.

The Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee unanimously agreed to defer the plans.

It said the scheme delivered "fewer benefits than originally envisaged" and added it remained "largely vehicle-dominated despite the environmental enhancements proposed".

North Yorkshire Council said the scheme would enhance visitor experience, contribute to the wider regeneration of the town and encourage investment in and around the station.

Helen Jackson, the local authority's head of regeneration, said the scheme would create a "more attractive, accessible and coherent public space" and the proposals formed part of a wider ambition to improve the town centre.

But one local resident, John Crompton, raised concerns at the hearing about pedestrian access from existing bus stops, "particularly for passengers travelling from the south of Scarborough" and said that the bus stops should be closer to the station, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The planning panel went on to question where passengers, private hire vehicles and members of the public would be expected to drop off and collect passengers under the proposed arrangements.

They said the plan could lead to "unsafe pedestrian movements across Westborough and increase the potential for conflict between pedestrians, buses and other vehicles".

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.