A newcomer to Pickering, I bought a house in Undercliffe eight years ago. I did not mind living near the railway, in fact it was quite pleasant to sit and watch the trains go by. My family came up for War Weekends, and we travelled to Whitby  last year.

I realise that the train brings in tourists to the town, so I tolerate the noise, the pollution, (all of my furniture is continually covered in soot), the whistle blowing, and the diesel fumes that fill my house on ‘diesel weekends’.

However, I also enjoy the view from my window, a hill covered by trees, beautiful sunsets and the flocks of starlings wheeling and diving in the evening light.

Now it will be obscured by the gigantic shed built right outside my window, a double storey, ugly building.

Over the years the line at Undercliffe has become like a giant scrap yard, rusty  wheels, dilapidated carriages, heaps of scrap metal of all varieties, and I feel enough is enough.

We live in a conservation area, our houses are grade II and under preservation order, and yet the railway seem to have carte blanche to do whatever they like.

A recent news bulletin said that the Railway brings in £15 million to the area, £4  million on the NYMR, why don't they use some of this money to clean up Undercliffe, one of the oldest streets in Pickering.

It could be a beautiful area, stand in the NYMR carpark and look up at the magnificent view of the Castle, as you are surrounded by rusty metal, heaps of rubbish and rotting carriages.

I walked behind some tourists last year, as they headed from the car park to the station. Their comment “I’m glad I don’t live down here, what a dump”.

Mrs.B.
Undercliffe.