TransPennine Express to create 15 new jobs with £7m investment in Scarborough

TransPennine Express is set to create 15 new jobs with a £7m investment in constructing a train servicing depot in Scarborough.

The new structure, which is planned to open in summer 2018, will maintain the company’s brand new trains.

The facility will provide light maintenance services including fuelling for trains on the route between Scarborough and Liverpool Lime Street.

The 13, brand new five carriage trains will begin running between Scarborough, York, Leeds, Huddersfield, Manchester and Liverpool from late 2018.

These longer trains and upcoming timetable enhancements will mean 700,000 extra seats per year for those travelling to and from Scarborough.

Customers travelling to and from Scarborough will also benefit from improved connectivity with new early morning departures and more services later in the day.

Nick Sworowski, depots and infrastructure project manager for TransPennine Express, said: “This major investment will enable our brand new trains to operate from and be maintained in Scarborough.

“We considered a number of sites across the wider Yorkshire area and Scarborough provides a geographically strategic site for this essential maintenance work. This is a long term investment in the town and we are pleased to be bringing jobs to the area.”

Cllr Joe Plant, portfolio holder for strategic planning and transformation on Scarborough Borough Council, added: “This is great news for Scarborough and we welcome this investment.

“It will deliver skilled jobs into Scarborough and, along with new modern state of the art trains and improved timetabling, will make a significant improvement to connectivity to and from Scarborough for residents, visitors and business users.”

David Dickson, chair of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership’s Infrastructure Board, also commented: “The new jobs and investment in the depot at Scarborough are a very welcome addition to the significant upgrades that TransPennine Express is making to the capacity and quality of trains connecting Scarborough to York, Leeds and beyond.”

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for rail for North Yorkshire, concluded: “Through our membership of Rail North, North Yorkshire County Council has been encouraging the rail industry and train operators to invest in the County’s rail infrastructure, to improve station facilities and to enhance the travelling experience for our residents.

“We welcome the additional services for Scarborough. The £7m investment by TPE in a new service depot for the town and the jobs associated with it are particularly good news.”

Enhancements to the track itself are also being made as part of the work including the laying of one mile of brand new rails.

Construction work is expected to commence early in the New Year and local suppliers from the Scarborough and North Yorkshire supply chain will be used where possible.

The facility will run alongside other railway operations in the Scarborough area, including enabling and supporting the operation of charter trains that visit Scarborough throughout the year.

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