We’ve been working with North Yorkshire Council to improve the Cinder Track, to make it easier for everyone who wants to walk, wheel, cycle, or ride a horse. Find out what we’ve done and our vision for its future.
Image of Cinder Track gateway: Councillor Keane Duncan (second left), with residents and volunteers from Sustrans. Credit: Phoebe Donbavand
What is the Cinder Track?
The Cinder Track is a 17-mile route between Scarborough and Whitby. It’s almost completely traffic-free making it ideal for walking, wheeling or riding a horse. Owing to its origins as a railway line, the route gets its name from the cinders used to make the track bed as opposed to the usual crushed stone. These days, the Cinder Track provides a well-used, well-loved urban and rural multi-user path for both leisure and commuting.
The route is part of National Cycle Network Route 1, part of a UK-wide network of signed paths and routes for walking, wheeling, cycling and exploring outdoors.
The Cinder Track
This lovely coastal route from Scarborough to Whitby offers everything you need for the perfect day out.
A mum and daughter out on the newly improved route. Credit: Phoebe Donbavand
What we’ve done so far
Utilising funding from Sustrans’ Paths for Everyone programme - a wider project supported by the Department for Transport - we’ve been making the Cinder Track more accessible to those who want to walk, wheel, cycle or ride a horse. We’ve done this by removing or redesigning barriers, widening the path, and resurfacing it to create a smooth and continuous route.
Why are we working to improve this route?
At the moment, access barriers and poor surfacing on some sections make it difficult for those with mobility scooters, wheelchairs or adapted bikes to use the track. Even fewer people use the route through the winter months as the path can get very muddy and flood in parts.
2016
A public consultation carried out in 2016 found that 77% of those surveyed said the Cinder Track needed improvement. The most common response when asked what improvements were needed was related to the path surface and drainage.
2018
Sustrans wrote a Restoration Plan in 2018 to provide design solutions and recommendations which would inform the strategic direction and future management of the Cinder Track. It was written to be used to coordinate funding bids and action between the stakeholders.
2020
The Whitby to Hawsker improvements included specific improvements to the Cinder Track Gateway at Stakesby Vale, Whitby as well as resurfacing and widening of the path between Stakesby Vale to Larpool Viaduct and on to Hawsker.
Changes to the path surface made the route more accessible to more users, and widening of grass verges ensured horse riders had a comfortable place to ride.
Finally, access points were improved so that people who are using buggies, wheelchairs or non-standard cycles can access the route.
2022
In 2022, we resurfaced and widened the path between Scarborough and Scalby to 3m, and widened verges for horse riders.
Access barriers were either redesigned or removed altogether depending on where they were, and crossings improved. Benches were added to the route and wildflowers were planted, so the space is more enjoyable for everyone.
2023
In 2023, we replaced Burniston Beck Bridge with a wider bridge and new alignment so that it now meets the Department for Transport’s LTN 1/20 guidelines - ensuring those who want to access the route by means of active travel can do so.
2024
In 2024, the latest phase of a £700,000 scheme saw a two-and-a-half-kilometre section of route between Burniston and Cloughton improved. Barriers were removed to allow access for everyone who wants to use the Cinder Track. This section was widened to 3m (where possible) and resurfaced with Flexipave, creating a smooth sealed surface.
Share the path sign. Credit: Chris Foster
Share with care
We understand concerns about a smoother surface potentially increasing cyclist speeds and affecting safety. However, feedback from local residents indicates that most cyclists are considerate, with only a few causing issues. To address these few, we will install signs promoting a "share with care" message, encouraging cyclists to slow down and ring their bell when passing others.
Improvements still to come
There is still more work to do to bring the route up to the standard of National Cycle Network we would like to see. With additional funding, we would like to resurface sections that are in a poor state of repair, such as between Stationdale and Fylingthorpe. Our hope is to remove even more barriers to make the whole track accessible for everyone.
The Cinder Track is currently in a poor state at Ravenscar - which is targeted for future improvements. Credit: Sustrans
