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Monday 9 Feb 2015

York – Scarborough passengers reminded to check before you travel this half term

Region & Route:

Rail passengers are being reminded to plan ahead this half term as significant improvements ate made to Scarborough Rail Bridge - including replacing the bridge deck.

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

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

“This is 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 have worked very closely with City of York Council and First Trans Pennine Express to minimise our impact on both local residents and the travelling public. We will also deliver around 17 other projects between York and Scarborough while the bridge work is carried out. This additional improvement work is worth around £2m and will help provide more reliable journeys for passengers for many years to come.”

Engineers will be working 24 hours a day on the bridge to complete the work on time.

The last direct trains between York and Scarborough on 13 February leave York at 22:00 and Scarborough at 22:07.

Replacement coaches will run between York and Scarborough every hour. There will be two coaches in each direction each half hour; one stopping service and one express service.

Direct trains between York and Scarborough re-start on Monday 23 February. The first train out of Scarborough will be the 06:30 and the first train out of York will be the 06:40.

Between 14 and 23 February First Trans-Pennine Express services to and from the west will all use platforms 1, 6 & 7 at York station, not platform 4.

The Hull to Scarborough via Bridlington (Yorkshire Wolds Coast) route operated by Northern Rail remains open.

Anna-Jane Hunter, from First Trans-Pennine Express, said: “We are working with Network Rail to minimise the disruption caused by the improvement works and put in place the best possible journey options for customers.

"Express coaches will replace rail services between York and Scarborough and we have issued updated timetables and customer information posters.

"We would advise customers to check before they travel and allow extra time to complete their journey. Full details of the improvements works and alternative arrangements will be available from National Rail Enquiries."