Scarborough Marine Drive
The influx of holidaymakers to Scarborough partly due to the completion of the new York to Scarborough railway resulted in huge development of the infrastructure of the town.
In 1879 a new road was built along the foreshore of the South Bay and another new road (Royal Albert Drive) along the foreshore of the North Bay from Peasholm Beck to The Holms was completed in 1890.
In 1896 the Council decided to link the two bays by the construction of a 1.300 yard link road to be known as Marine Drive stretching from the East Pier to Royal Albert Drive.
Despite some local opposition, the Marine Drive could potentially lead to many benefits both commercially and environmentally.
October 1896 - Contractors were commissioned for construction of the sea wall and roadway at a cost of £69,270 and Mr. J. E. Everett from Southampton was commissioned to oversee the works.
June 1897 The first foundation stone was laid, although many problems were to folllow. Bad weather and a lack of energy from the workers slowed the work progression eventually to a stage of such great concern to the council, they invoked penalty clauses, withheld monthly payments and even set up a Committee For the Acceleration of Works. Mr. Everett resigned under the wave of criticism.
Marine Drive was finally officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught in 1908, almost 9 years later than scheduled.[1]