PLANS have been submitted by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) for a carriage workshop and storage facility in Pickering.

The application includes the building of a carriage stable with associated storage, staff facilities and service facilities for up to 40 carriages from the running fleet.

It also includes the building of a workshop for the restoration of historic carriages with associated staff facilities, including accommodation, formation of an additional 12 parking spaces and formation of

new vehicular access bridge to replace existing access over Pickering Beck.

However, objections have been raised by nearby residents, including artists Sally and Brian Tozer.

They said: “The three families including ourselves, living this side of the rail line are all elderly and therefore vulnerable. Such a development would be like taking our home and dumping it in the middle of the biggest single industrial site in Pickering.”

NYMR trust chairman John Bailey said: “The top priority of the NYMR’s trustees is to render railway operations sustainable for the long-term so that the area’s unique heritage can be preserved and can continue to bring visitors and jobs to our region.

“We have submitted a planning application for facilities which will allow us to preserve and maintain the carriages that are essential for people to enjoy the unique access to the National Park that the railway provides.

“As part of this process we’ve been liaising directly with our local community and we have been pleased with the voices of support that have followed our consultations with representatives of town and district councils.”