A NUMBER of hurdles remain in the way if the ambition to bring express trains to Saltburn is to be achieved from May next year.

Rail operator TransPennine Express (TPE) sprang a surprise at the end of last week when it said it would begin consulting over a new timetable from May 2022 which will see the existing Manchester Airport to Redcar Central service extended to Saltburn each hour.

However major works will be required beforehand to make the extension a reality, which will include improvements at Redcar East and Longbeck stations due to be carried out by Network Rail.

So-called "selective door systems" are also needed at Redcar Central and Saltburn stations, which use beacons mounted on platforms to transmit location information to on-board the train arriving, ensuring the correct doors open.

These allow passengers to get on and off trains even when they are longer than the platform.

Currently only Northern and freight train services extend beyond Redcar Central station into east Cleveland and don’t need the modifications that will be required to accommodate TPE rolling stock.

There was a question mark previously over the potential multi-million pound cost to extend the Redcar Central service and who would foot the bill, this proving a sticking point to date.

It is understood some of the work is now being funded as part of a £1.2bn upgrade for the East Coast Mainline.

TransPennine Express, whose parent company is transport giant First, said the infrastructure works would be carried out by Network Rail, which was set to confirm in the coming months whether the May 2022 start date was achievable.

Its regional development manager, Graham Meiklejohn said services were being “recast” under the timetable consultation.

He said: “Subject to completion of works by Network Rail, this means the opportunity has arisen to enable trains to go to Saltburn.”

Simon Leyshon, an industry programme director for Network Rail, which the Government plans to eventually replace with a new body covering both infrastructure and ticketing, said they were confident the timescale could be met.

He said: “Further details on the scope of this work are subject to review and the project is expected to be completed before May 2022.”

Councillor Stuart Smith, who represents Saltburn on Redcar and Cleveland Council, said he hoped that fast train services into Saltburn would help cut parking congestion by taking some vehicles off the road.

He said: “One of the issues we have in the town is parking. Such a transport link could ease some of the problems we are having at the moment.

“There’s also not only a benefit to Saltburn, but east Cleveland also because people can go through to York, Leeds, Manchester and beyond.”

Earlier this year the council’s cabinet approved a £1m investment in new car parking spaces in Saltburn, which include extra spaces on Marine Parade and an extension to the Cat Nab car park in a bid to mitigate on-street parking pressures.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who was influential in securing an extension to Redcar which began in 2019, said: “I’m delighted that TransPennine Express have decided to extend the line all the way to Saltburn.

“This is a huge step forward and something I have been fighting for, alongside local people in Saltburn, for a very long time.”

Mr Houchen suggested he would be holding the “feet to the fire” of those involved in order to deliver the needed upgrade and the start of the extended service.

Others involved in campaigning for a Saltburn extension have included the Saltburn Line Users Group and Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke.

Councillor Carl Quartermain, leader of the Labour group on Redcar and Cleveland Council, said the planned extension would be “particularly well received” by residents in Redcar who have complained about the noise from idling TPE trains near to Redcar Central station where the current service currently begins and terminates.

He said: “I have yet to determine the exact funding plan, but the company’s intention is most welcome news and I will be meeting with the TPE regional manager and Network Rail.”

TransPennine Express has a contract until 2023 to run TransPennine services.