Our columnist ALAN WILLIAMS outlines the historic problems and future potential of the picturesque Middlesbrough – Whitby line
Sadly, research shows that people have little faith in the country’s management of our railways. And the people of Whitby and the Esk Valley have more reason for this than most. Ever since Harold Wilson, having specifically promised to halt the proposed closure of all three rail routes to Whitby prior to the 1964 General Election, promptly reneged on the undertaking just three weeks after becoming Prime Minister, they have been suspicious. At the time, Mr Wilson insisted his new Government had no powers to halt these closures (and many others) that had already been decided by his predecessor, but this has subsequently been shown to be entirely untrue.
So closure of the lines south to Scarborough and, most surprisingly, the double track main line to Malton, York and on to London went ahead, with only the single track branch turning north towards Middlesbrough remaining, simply because no acceptable alternative road service could be provided for schoolchildren along the narrow, winding roads of the Esk Valley. It was believed at the time – and is still today by some – that the …
