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As Britain’s first official seaside resort, people have been taking trips to Scarborough for several centuries. The arrival of Scarborough Rail Station in 1845 made travel to the town even easier. More than 180 years later, that station is still going strong – and now it’s been given a new lease of life thanks to a £14 million makeover which is due to be completed at the end of March.
The renovations of the Grade II-listed station have been going on since last year. The work has included installing a new roof, restoring the stonework and carrying out general preservation of the building. It’s also required the use of specialist materials that are able to withstand the salty sea air.
Work on Scarborough station isn’t quite finished yet, though. The clock tower is currently still being restored and its waiting room and ticket office are also being refurbished. Network Rail called the clock tower the station’s ‘crowning glory’. Its restoration was made possible thanks to a Railway Heritage Trust grant of £203,000.
It’s hoped that the changes to the station will enhance the passenger experience. Ann Shannon, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: ‘Thanks to additional funding from the Railway Heritage Trust, we’ve been able to repair all four clock faces, fully refurbish the tower and finials, and upgrade the uplighting.
‘The finish line is now in sight, and visitors will see a real difference both inside and outside the station, with the beautifully restored clocktower providing the crowning glory.’
The station has stayed open and operating throughout the project. The full restoration is expected to be done by March 31. After that, the council hopes to undertake work around the station. In a planning application submitted in December, the council set out proposals to introduce new outdoor seating areas, resurfaced footpaths and trees alongside enhanced accessible parking and improved pedestrian access to the station and nearby transport links.
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