WITH growth of more than 28 per cent forecast on the regions railway over the next 12 years, Network Rail are looking at what improvements are needed.
The draft document states that: "No significant gaps have been identified in respect of the local Yorkshire Wolds Coast Line".
I am putting together a case for an hourly train service within the signal box opening times on the line north of Brid
lington to Scarborough utilising the existing dual track line between Hunmanby and Filey.
In 1990 the service between Bridlington and Scarborough was reduced from 13 to nine trains in each direction, a service around every 90 minutes compared to the 30 minute daytime frequency service between Hull, Driffield and Bridlington.
It is this 'withered arm' that, over the past 5 years has rejuvenated, with the highest rate of passenger growth on the coast line.
The Government's Office of Rail Regulation statistics of fare-paying passengers gives a strong case for a better service north of Bridlington.
On the line there are 10 stations between Cottingham and Filey. The section between Cottingham and Bridlington between 2002 and 2007 saw growth of 7.3 per cent whereas the stations of Bempton, Hunmanby and Filey saw growth of 33 per cent in the same period.
I now need to collect economic, planning and travel-to- work information that will strengthen the case for an improved hourly train service.
There is new house building schemes in Filey and Hunmanby and a business park at Seamer.
Potential for park and ride at Filey and proper parking facilities at village stations may all help, but feedback on the benefits this would bring to the East Riding I would welcome.
Bridlington like Filey and Scarborough are more than summer seaside resorts.
If you would like to comment on this I would be grateful for your views.
Nick Harvey
66 Stonegate
Hunmanby
Filey
