TPE to discuss complaints about noise from new depot

TransPennine Express is due to hold a meeting with Scarborough Council in the coming weeks, regarding complaints from residents about noise created by stabling trains at the town’s new depot.

Class 68s are stabled at the £8 million facility overnight, with light servicing undertaken at a new facility that opened last year.

One resident told local media that on February 25 he was woken at 0300 and the noise continued until 0500. He likened it to the sound of powerboats or a hovering helicopter.

In a statement, a TPE spokesman said: “We are currently working with Scarborough Borough Council and their Environmental Health Service to fully investigate and understand the issues being raised.

“After a full planning consultation, the depot was purpose-built with environmental factors incorporated during the design phase, which led - for example - to the inclusion of 50% more noise mitigation barriers than required.

“Without this depot, we would be unable to run our brand new Nova 3 trains from Scarborough and these trains have provided a much-needed capacity boost on this line.”

TPE is also working with Direct Rail Services (which leases the ‘68s’ to TPE) and Arriva Train

Care (which operates the depot) to see what precautions can be introduced.

While the meeting was due to take place at the time this issue of RAIL went to press, the COVID19 situation meant it could be postponed.