‘Unsightly’ historic steps to be repaired in Scarborough after delays

​An updated plan to reinstate Scarborough’s historic Museum Steps and the retaining wall has been approved after more than a year of complaints from local residents who had called on North Yorkshire Council to complete the works.

​The steps provide an important and popular thoroughfare for pedestrians from Scarborough town centre to South Sands/Foreshore Road, connecting Museum Terrace to Spa Bridge and Cliff Bridge Terrace above.

Landing Of The Main Steps, Museum Terrace Steps. SCC Ltd

​The substantive works will involve the insertion of a frame to support the steps after plans were submitted this spring.

​A survey of the steps by Align Property Services in April 2025 found that their overall condition is “very poor, with large gaps between steps – there is visible vertical settlement at the centre point of the steps with some steps showing signs of horizontal displacement and vegetation emerging from gaps in between steps”.

​Following consultation with the council’s conservation officer, the authority said a further inspection would have to be undertaken by a conservation-accredited structural engineer.

Based on advice from a consultant structural engineering company, the scheme was amended to remove the use of a concrete frame and padstone support to bear the load of the main step.

​Instead, a less invasive solution will involve the installation of a steel frame anchored to the side walls.

Museum Terrace Steps. SCC Ltd

​The engineers said that approach would provide a long-term remedial solution that helps retain the existing fabric, causes minimal damage to the stone walls, and would be “relatively straightforward to install”.

​​The steps up to Cliff Bridge Terrace are Grade II Listed and were constructed around 1830.

Scarborough Museum Steps, General Location. Nyc

​At a meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee last week, members voted unanimously to approve the application.