B1266 (Brotton - Whitby)

This article is about the original B1266 from Brotton to Whitby.
For the current B1266 on Newton Mulgrave Moor, to the west of Whitby, see B1266.

The original route of the B1266 ran along the Yorkshire coast road between Brotton and Whitby.

Route

The gap in the B1266 between Sandsend and Whitby

The road started at the triple point of the A173, A174 and B1266 in the centre of Brotton and headed eastwards to Whitby, where it ended on the West Cliff on the A171. Originally the section of road immediately east of Sandsend was deemed unacceptable to become a classified road leading to a gap in the B1266; however, the two sections were connected by new build and an upgrade in 1925.

The former B1266 (now A174) near Staithes

In 1935, the A174 was extended east along the entire length of the B1266 freeing up the number for use elsewhere. This is still the number today, except for the section in Brotton which has been bypassed.

History

The Maharajah's Road

Toll house on the Sandsend to Whitby road

Prior to 1865 the only way between the picturesque resort of Sandsend and Whitby was along the beach or a long detour inland. In 1858 the Maharajah Duleep Singh, the last Maharajah of the Sikh Empire, leased Mulgrave Castle at Lythe, atop Lythe Bank, to the west of Sandsend. He resided there for a short period until 1862 and was benevolent to the locals. He constructed a new coast road from East Row, Sandsend to Upgang, Whitby. It was to operate as a toll road and the first year of toll receipts was 1865/66.

The property was then owned by W.H.S. Pyman of Raithwaite Hall. The Council did not purchase the road until 1922 due to taking on the cost of dealing with cliff falls. It was the availability of grants from the Ministry for unemployment relief work that prompted the road purchase.

The 1925 upgrade

The 2 mile road from East Row, Sandsend to Upgang Lane, Whitby was opened on 7 November 1925 by Lieut.-Col. Wilfred Ashley, Minister of Transport. Two new sections bypassed the old toll road down the coast through Upgang, and the hill down to and over Raithwaite Gill. The other existing sections were improved. Cost was £50,000.