Scarborough Station Restoration Nears Completion as Clocktower Returns to Prominence

Work to restore Scarborough railway station is entering its final stages, with the scheme now delivering additional improvements beyond those originally set out when construction began.

The £14 million programme has focused on renewing major elements of the grade II-listed building, including extensive repairs to the roof, upgraded drainage and the careful restoration of historic stonework. Throughout the project, the station has continued to operate, allowing passengers to use the facilities while the work has progressed around them.

As part of the wider overhaul, the station’s waiting room and ticket office are also being refurbished, with the aim of improving comfort and functionality for passengers while respecting the building’s heritage.

An extra layer of restoration has been made possible through a £203,000 grant from the Railway Heritage Trust, which has funded the repair and refurbishment of the station’s prominent clocktower. The additional work was identified once scaffolding was erected, making it practical to address long-standing weather-related damage at the same time.

Ann Shannon, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said:

“We’ve made significant progress at Scarborough station, and it’s great to see the results taking shape. All of the new louvres are now installed, and the main trainshed roof has been fully repaired, repainted and fitted with a new lighting system that really enhances the space. While there’s still important work to complete in the ticket office, waiting area and on the clocktower, we remain on track to finish by 31 March. Once we had full access with the scaffolding, it became clear there was a real opportunity to restore the clocktower to its former glory. 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 Railway Heritage Trust has described the clocktower restoration as a significant investment in preserving one of Scarborough’s most recognisable structures, citing the impact of years of exposure to pollution and coastal weather.

Tim Hedley-Jones, executive director of The Railway Heritage Trust, said:

“We’re pleased to award one of our largest grants of recent years to the work which Network Rail and Colt Construction are undertaking at Scarborough. Having seen at close hand the effect of the weather and pollution on the clocktower, we are determined to support the restoration of this impressive structure so that it can be appreciated by passengers and residents for generations to come.”

Image: Network Rail