Scarborough Theatre Audiences Leaving Early Due to Poor Train Service

Theatre goers are leaving performances at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph theatre early due to a lack of regular trains to the town.

The situation has been highlighted in parliament by local MP, Alison Hume, who says the town needs two trains an hour to York rather than the current one service an hour.

"Scarborough's wonderful Stephen Joseph Theatre has supported calls for a twice hourly service stating that audience members leave performances early to catch their train.

Rather like their latest production "Noises Off", this is a farce.

We have businesses in Scarborough and nearby Seamer who are looking to attract more employees, but with such an irregular service, these opportunities are simply out of reach for many.

We have enough platforms and enough demand for more regular rail service. "

In a parliamentary debate on regional transport inequality, Alison Hume reiterated her call for Scarborough to get a twice hourly service.

"To grow our economy, we need good connectivity. In coastal communities like Scarborough and Whitby, we're stuck in the slow lane.

The train from Scarborough to York is an essential transport link for visitors as well as commuters. But with one service an hour opportunity and growth are being choked off.

We need a twice hourly service. This proposal is backed by York and North Yorkshire, mayor David SKaith, local businesses, my constituents, and Lord Blanket who listed the service increase as one of his rail priorities in his report, Yorkshire's Plan For Rail, published this year. "

In the parliamentary debate Alison Hume asked government ministers about inequalities in funding for public transport in coastal areas.

"This week I visited Schneider Electric's brand new manufacturing facility in Scarborough, which will create 200 new jobs.

However, these opportunities are out of reach for so many of my constituents who rely on public transport. What is my right honourable friend doing to ensure.

Poor transport in coastal communities like Scarborough and Whitby, untouched by city transport region funding doesn't strangle economic growth. "

In response, the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, said the region is receiving substantial funding for public transport projects.

 I can assure my honourable friend that we are committed to driving economic growth in all areas, not only in the large city regions.

 I can tell her that York and North Yorkshire combined authority will receive 94 million pounds in local transport grant capital funding over the next four years, allowing local leaders to support schemes in line with local priorities, including public transport."

Speaking later in the proceedings Alison Hume commented on the North Yorkshire funding, pointing out that it is less than has been awarded to big city areas.

"I welcome the news that York and North Yorkshire combined authority will receive 94 million pounds in local transport grant capital funding over the next four years.

However, the Combined Authority covers a huge geographical area, is not part of the transport for city regions, so their settlement is not nearly as large as most combined authorities.

Unless we equip our first labour rural metro mayor in York and North Yorkshire with the economic firepower to deliver better buses and trains. We not only limit the opportunity of towns like Scarborough to contribute to economic growth, but we risk failing to break down barriers to opportunity in coastal communities. "

David Skaith, the county’s elected mayor, has said that making the current hourly service into a half-hourly service is unlikely to happen until December 2028.

​TransPennine Express, which operates the York-Scarborough service, has said this is due to a shortage of drivers.