In October 1897 a deputation of 12 men stormed the Town Hall, then on Castle Road, and entered the Council Chamber. They presented the Council with a petition from shipwrights, sail makers, mast and block makers, ship owners, fishing vessel owners and fish salesmen. William Sellers, James Wilson and James Reynolds spoke urging the council to reconsider the line of the approach road. Abolition of the yards would cause much unemployment as vessels would move to another port for repairs and refits. Mr Sellers said sufficient space should be left for storage of wood to repair masts, spars and beams. James Reynolds said Scarborough would lose its fishing industry to Grimsby. The mayor, Cllr Robert Marillier, a retired civil engineer once employed by Hull Dock Company, said the matter will be discussed and they desired to retain facilites for the fishing industry.
The Scarborough Corporation borrowed £13,500 in 1900 to finance the construction of the Foreshore Road to connect up with the Marine Drive. The purchase of shipyards, warehouses and buildings was hampered by reluctant owners. George Alderson sold his warehouse, engineer's shop and adjacent cottages on 15thApril 1901 for £2200. The Council offered Messrs Skelton trustees £1000 for 105 and 106 Sandside, William Purcell £950 for 104 Sandside. On Monday 27thJanuary 1902 the council was confronted by a determined deputation from the fishing industry. George Alderson Smith, owner of a fleet of steam trawlers, said the Marine Drive would not be finished before 1904, the council constantly refused to help the fishing industry and the harbour urgently needed dry dock facilities. During the herring season, gyppers and packers used land adjoining the warehouses and no alternative site had been offered. The fishermen knew that the council would put the improvement of Scarborough as a holiday resort before the fishing industry, once again!
The approach road, named 'Sandside' was completed on 1st October 1904 at the same time as the last stone of the Marine Drive was laid by mayoress Mrs William Morgan.
