Work on railway station entrance to start in 2027

Work on a £6.68m project to remodel the area in front of Scarborough railway station will begin early next year, it has been confirmed.

The scheme will involve re-configuring the taxi rank and pick-up and drop-off areas, while a new pedestrian plaza and accessible parking will be created.

North Yorkshire Council approved the plans last week after deferring a previous decision over concerns about passenger drop-off arrangements and pedestrian safety.

Deputy leader Mark Crane said it was hoped the project, coupled with work on the town's West Pier, would "act as a catalyst for further investment and improvements in the years to come".

A local authority spokesperson said the work would deliver the "most significant changes to the station forecourt in decades".

The redesigned space will feature improved pedestrian routes, new seating areas, resurfaced footpaths, tree planting and enhanced public spaces.

The council said the improvements were intended to strengthen Scarborough's role as a "public transport hub".

Initial proposals for the first phase of the Station Gateway scheme were developed by Scarborough Borough Council and submitted for planning approval in 2022, before the launch of North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.

Phil Trumper, chair of North Yorkshire Council's Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee, said: "After some changes were made to the application, the committee decided to vote in favour of this scheme.

"The improvements will make a huge difference to that part of Scarborough."

The scheme will be funded through a £6.68m grant from the government's Local Regeneration Fund.

Preparatory work is expected to begin in the coming months with construction due to start early next year.

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