The £10.9 million Station Gateway will boost Harrogate businesses by enhancing the town centre, according to those leading the scheme.
An online consultation event last night gave people the first chance to ask questions about the scheme, which aims to transform the area around the bus and train stations and encourage more people to walk and cycle, since the latest designs were revealed this week.
The current proposals would see traffic on Station Parade reduced to single lane and James Street pedestrianised between Princes Square and Station Parade.
Work could begin next summer and last up to a year, causing major disruption to the town centre and reduced parking, which concerns some businesses still trying to recover from covid.
In response to a question about what assessment had been made about the impact of the scheme on businesses, Matthew Roberts, economy and transport officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said it was a case of “short-term disruption for long-term gain”.
He said case studies from similar schemes had shown they could boost trade by up to 40 per cent by making the town centre more attractive and making it easier to access for non-car users. Mr Roberts said:
“Behaviours are changing and the town needs to evolve with it.
“The mixture of case study evidence and local evidence has led me to believe this will firmly benefit the town’s economy.”
Read more:
- First glimpse of how Harrogate will look after £10.9m transformation
- £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway ‘must focus’ on cycling and walking
In a video message to the event, county councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, said the Station Gateway would provide a “great economic boost to the town centre but also boost sustainable travel”.
Chris Harris, who is leading the design team on the project, said changes to James Street would “significantly the feel of the street for people shopping and moving around on foot” and also enable more features such as trees and plants.
He said the scheme would also “make more of a feature” of the Victoria monument by making it more visible.
Mr Harris added the project had a “tight window” but there was “still an opportunity to update things as we move forward”.
What happens next?
A second online consultation event will be held from 6pm to 7pm on Thursday next week.
People can meet members of the project team face-to-face to discuss the plans at the Victoria Shopping Centre on October 27, October 29 and November 5. There is also a business-only event on November 1.
People can also fill in a form online giving feedback.
Details of the consultation, which runs until November 12, are available here.
Councillor Mackenzie will discuss the scheme with Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce on November 8.
Following the consultation, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes.
What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?
The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.
They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.
It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.
