£39m funding bid for station improvements moves forward

A bid for £39m in funding for improvements to a trio of North Yorkshire railway station has moved forward.North Yorkshire County Council’s approved the submission of the bid to the government’s Levelling-Up Fund on 5 July 2022.At Thirsk, a £5.4m scheme would offer step-free access to every platform, bringing improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. It is proposed to replace the footbridge with a two-span bridge with three lift towers.The £8.4m proposal for Scarborough station is to provide a transport hub to help to regenerate the station, reinvigorate a historic part of the town and strengthen connections between the station, town centre and seafront. It would cover facilities including cycle storage, hire, repair and amenities, bus stands and waiting areas, taxi booking stands, electric vehicle rental facilities and commercial space.A £25.2m project at Seamer station would provide a new pedestrian and cycle link connecting the station to residential sites in the west, a new three-span open footbridge across the rail line and A64, including lifts to platforms one and two, and a new station car park to the east of the track on to the A64.Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation, said: “We’re committed to modernising North Yorkshire’s transport infrastructure – with our bold proposals representing more than £39m of potential investment.”The three bids demonstrate the council’s ambitions to improve our stations, connecting residents with employment and supporting economic growth.”These latest bids are just part of our efforts. We are supporting similar station bids submitted by our district and borough council colleagues, while work to deliver the Transforming Cities Fund gateway projects at Harrogate, Selby and Skipton stations is already under way.”If the bid is successful, work would begin within the current financial year, with a deadline for completion of the schemes of 31 March 2025.