A new report has revealed that the Whitby to Middlesbrough train service is the worst in the country, despite a 49% increase in ridership since 2005.
The report, titled "A New Beginning" and prepared by transport consultants Stantec, highlights the inadequate service along the Esk Valley line, which it says fails to meet the needs of commuters, tourists, and residents.
The report attributes the current state of the Esk Valley line to a "resource-led approach" adopted in the late 20th century. Cost-saving measures implemented in the 1980s and early 1990s resulted in significant service reductions, including a 50% cut in 1991, which the report deems "a major mistake".
The report says that the limited service, with only five daily round trips between Whitby and Middlesbrough, has had a detrimental impact on the local communities and the economy. The report echoes the concerns raised by the Commons Transport Committee and the Lords Committee on Coastal Deprivation, stating that the poor train service hinders tourism and economic growth in the region.
The report also highlights that the train serves as a "local bus" for many Esk Valley villages with no other public transport options.
While the report paints a bleak picture of the current situation, it also offers potential solutions. Crucially, there is £7 million of ring-fenced private sector funding, awarded eight years ago for infrastructure improvements, that remains "largely unspent".
The report outlines several "quick wins" that could be achieved with this funding, including:
- Increased Service Frequency: Adding morning and midday services, as well as more trains on Sundays, which have seen a surge in passenger numbers.
- Reduced Line Occupation: Minimizing delays caused by the heritage North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which shares the line.
- Improved Infrastructure: Reinstatement of the second platform at Battersby station to facilitate crossing trains.
The Esk Valley Railway Development Company (EVRDC), a designated Community Rail Partnership, commissioned the Stantec report and is urging immediate action to implement these "quick wins".
The report also proposes a long-term vision for the Esk Valley line, including exploring the construction of a new curve at Battersby to reduce journey times by up to 10 minutes.Replacing the “restrictive Victorian Token signalling” is also recommended which the report says could “more than double the current services, but Network Rail says nothing is planned until the 2030s”.
The EVRDC is now seeking support from local authorities and officials to push for the release of the unspent funding and the implementation of both short-term and long-term improvements to revitalize the Esk Valley line.
The Community Rail Partnership is also seeking support for early action from both North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith and new Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume.
The report will be discussed at a meeting of North Yorkshire Council's Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee on Thursday.
The full report can be found at www.eskvalleyrailway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/A-New-Beginning-Esk-Valley-Railway.pdf
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