The more I read of the DRT and the TVCA plans, the more I am convinced that to make the DRT more effective and to fulfil the ambitions of the TVCA, would be for the TVCA to invest (part or fully) in the line beyond Saltburn towards Loftus.
Stations in Skelton, Brotton and Loftus - utilising Parkway type facilities, located alongside housing and the main road, with the DRT integrated in to it, would (I think) do wonders in not only reinvigorating East Cleveland, but also taking cars off the roads. 
The A174 is getting worse and will only continue to get worse, with the new housing that is popping up across the East Cleveland area. 

I'm sure there's a 'train proposals' thread somewhere. Might look in to it a little further.