The £14m restoration of the Grade II-listed Scarborough station in Yorkshire is drawing to a close. The new louvre window roof, restored masonry, and improved drainage systems are all nearing completion, while the waiting rooms and ticket office have also been refurbished.

The roof of the station was showing signs of leakage in the run-up to 2021, but due to the station’s listing and restrictions on funding, the restoration did not start until the spring of 2025.

Being a seaside resort, the work on Scarborough station has involved using specific types of wood, paint and tiles so that they would not weather too quickly in the heavy, salty sea air.

Above the roof, Network Rail employed the use of Hawks to deter the seagulls from nesting around the station while the work was being undertaken.

The new glass has enabled more light to shine through into the train shed onto the platforms. The last part of the work to be undertaken has received a £203k grant for the Railway Heritage Trust to restore the unique clock tower to its former glory, complete with a working timepiece.

The station’s restoration should be complete by April 1st 2026.

“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 lighting.

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.”

Ann Shannon, scheme project manager for Network Rail

“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.”

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