Ministers told of critical need to boost coast’s infrastructure

A delegation of senior councillors and civil servants from Scarborough Borough Council travelled to the House of Commons to spell out the need to secure major investment.

The Scarborough district is facing up to a wave of development which has been heralded as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” but will place severe pressure on the already beleaguered transport network. Plans are being drawn up to create a £2 billion potash mine in the North York Moors National Park, while the world’s largest off-shore wind farm is due to be built off the coast at Dogger Bank.

Scarborough Borough Council’s portfolio holder for strategic planning and regeneration, Derek Bastiman, led the delegation and met the Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mark Prisk.

Coun Bastiman said: “The new industries will have such a significant influence not just on the coast but the whole of Yorkshire, and it is vital we work with the region’s MPs to secure funding.

“We need to make sure the infrastructure is able to cope with the new industries, although it is much too early to say exactly how much is needed. But while the level of investment needed may appear huge to some people, it will be very small in comparison to the long-term benefits the industries will bring.”

The council’s economic development project manager, Alex Richards, who was among the delegation, claimed there are “massive challenges” to ensure infrastructure and a skilled workforce are in place.

The meeting last week was organised by the Tory MP for Scarborough and Whitby, Robert Goodwill, who maintained an adequate level of housing is vital to cope with the influx of workers.

He voiced concerns that contract workers brought in during the construction of the new industries could take rooms in guest houses and hotels vital to the district’s tourism industry.

Mr Goodwill, who has been a leading campaigner to upgrade the A64 which is main route to the coast, added: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but we need to make sure the foundations are in place. Every effort needs to be made to ensure that local people get the jobs that are created, as this will help ease the pressure on the infrastructure with not as many workers commuting over to the coast.”

Meetings were also held with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, chaired by Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy and Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman. The group has brought together MPs to form an influential body to champion the region.

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills stressed every effort will be made to ensure adequate resources are made available.

A spokeswoman added: “The Government firmly believes that economic recovery will be led by business, and it is encouraging to see that the offshore wind and mining sectors have made a commitment to Yorkshire, which will provide employment opportunities across the region and make a significant investment to the local economy.”

Blueprints for the potash mine were unveiled in January last year by an international company, Sirius Minerals, and it is hoped the scheme could employ up to 5,000 people. A planning application is due to be submitted this year.

The Dogger Bank wind farm development, which is expected to include about 2,600 giant turbines each up to 400ft tall, will stretch across an area equivalent to the size of North Yorkshire. The first turbines are expected to become operational in 2016.

Talks are already underway with schools and colleges across the Scarborough district to tailor courses to meet the need for a skilled workforce for both industries.