Scarborough Marine Drive the history board 3

When the eminent engineer Sir John Coode reported in 1883 on the feasibility of a proposed promenade and marine drive connecting Scarborough's two bays, he anticipated that any difficulties would be more to do with the cost than with engineering difficulties. However, while Marine Drive did cost a lot more than originally anticipated, there were also engineering difficulties and Marine Drive, which was expected to be finished in under three years, took over a decade to complete. The construction of Marine Drive involved a great deal of hard work, much of it done by hand. The castle cliffs had to be reshaped to reduce the risk of boulders falling, foundations had to be constructed and blocks and stones laid. The blocks were made in North Bay and were then moved into position using the latest technology – rail trucks and steam cranes running on gantries that were prone to being washed away in storms. Even after Marine Drive opened, further work had to be done to reinforce it and members of Scarborough Corporation must have wondered if the project would ever be totally completed.

In more recent times Scarborough Borough Council commissioned a Coastal Defence Strategy for the whole of the Scarborough town frontage. It was apparent that the East Pier, the Castle Headland and the Holms were at risk and so a massive scheme involving extra protection was implemented. A mixture of rocks and concrete accropodes were put in place and the railings on Marine Drive replaced with a wave return wall one metre high.

Royal Albert Park

The area of grassy slopes and plateaus along the North Bay sea front was named Royal Albert Park in 2005. An area which had declined from a once well used recreational space with sports facilities and a bandstand to a poorly maintained wilderness, has now gradually been returned to recreational use with facilities more appropriate to the 21st century. This has been achieved in partnership between the Friends of Royal Albert Park and Scarborough Borough Council. It is a beautiful area for relaxing and enjoying recreational activities.