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Monday 23 Feb 2015

Rail services back to normal after Scarborough Bridge successfully replaced

Region & Route:

Rail passengers, York residents and visitors to the city are being thanked for their patience after the old bridge deck of Scarborough Rail Bridge was removed and a new one installed.

The work to refurbish the bridge meant that no trains could run over it between 14 and 23 February, with coaches replacing First Trans-Pennine Express trains.

The worksite in York has also affected local residents and visitors. Marygate car park remains fully closed until 27 February to safely demobilise the 500 tonne crane and other construction equipment. Around half of the car park will continue to be fenced off for use by the project team as they complete the final work on the bridge. This will not involve any disruption to rail services.

The footbridge alongside Scarborough railway bridge which also carries National Cycle Network route 65 across the river will be closed until 2 March. The shared use paths on either side of the river under Scarborough railway bridge reopened ahead of schedule on Saturday 21 February.

Network Rail Route Managing Director, Phil Verster, said: “We thank rail passengers, residents and visitors to York for their patience as we complete this essential work. The bridge has given good service for 140 years but needed significant replacement.

“This was a complex project as the bridge spans the River Ouse and is in the middle of a residential area with narrow streets as well as being close to several important rail lines.

“We delivered around 20 other projects between York and Scarborough while the bridge work was completed. This additional improvement work is worth around £3.5m and will help provide more reliable journeys for passengers for many years to come.”

All planned work was completed as planned on Sunday 22 February, allowing trains to run as per the normal timetable from start of service on Monday 23 February.

Anna-Jane Hunter, from First Trans-Pennine Express, said: “We worked with Network Rail to minimise the disruption caused by the improvement works and put in place the best possible journey options for customers. We communicated travel plans as early as possible and in a number of different ways. We are delighted that the vast majority of customers knew what was happening and their options.

"We are also delighted to be able to run trains again and our customers will appreciate the improvement works being completed on time and on schedule."