Cayton Bay steps reopen after repairs
The steps leading down to Cayton Bay beach have reopened after being repaired.
Located in the woodland area between Osgodby and Cayton, the steps had become unviable.
Around seven months ago, Mick Couzens, chair of Keep Scarborough Tidy, was litter picking in the area when he noticed the condition they were in, and he notified the National Trust.
Mr Couzens said: “These steps had been muddy and not very good to walk on for at least 20 to 30 years. After much knocking on the door of the National Trust, they finally accessed some money to
do the work.
“I can't think of the specific words to describe how the opening ceremony of the Cayton Bay steps leading to
the beach went – other than: amazing, superb.
“Well done and a huge thank you to Gareth and his team of workers and volunteers who did a lot of very, very hard and strenuous work.”
The work began in February of this year, and the steps reopened to the public on Wednesday September 7.
Scarborough borough mayor Cllr Eric Broadbent cut the ribbon down to the steps to an audience of around 30 people, before celebrating with a cake at Osgodby Community Centre.
Gareth Wilson, Area Ranger for the National Trust, said: “We have now finished the steps to the beach.
"A good team effort with plenty of volunteer involvement.
"They’ve been very well received by the local community – we had lots of positive comments as we were doing the work.
“They have been in for a long time. No one seems to remember who put them in so they’ve probably been in there for 20 years or more.
"A few factors led to them not being in great condition. Some of the timber had failed with rot and age over the years and they’re in a dip so the drainage is very poor, causing them to get muddy over winter. And the coastal slope tends to move over time too.”
The steps are now open to the public.
Cayton Bay is a quiet beach between Scarborough and Filey, which many people prefer to the more crowded beaches in the two towns. Often, small fossils can be found, and the beach is notable for its old World War Two pillboxes.
It was listed as the second best place to surf in Britain by The Times.