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10
Sept 2020
Conservative councillor speaks out against James Street pedestrianisation
A Conservative Harrogate borough councillor has spoken out against plans to temporarily pedestrianise James Street.
Cllr Nick Brown, who represents the Bishop Munkton and Newby ward, said it was “not the time to deliver a further body blow” to retail in the town.
While Cllr Brown has positioned himself as a "lone voice" in opposition to the plans, it is not the first time he has spoken out against the issue.
At an Overview and Scrutiny meeting last month, he told Conservative council leader, Cllr Richard Cooper, that the coronavirus pandemic was not a reason to start the trial run for pedestrianisation.
Read more:
- Two thirds of James Street businesses against full pedestrianisation, says BID
- James Street pedestrianisation would be welcomed, says charity
- Hoopers store warns: ‘Harrogate is not bulletproof anymore’
North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, is expected to implement a temporary pedestrianisation of James Street at the request of the borough council.
The measure has already been met with fierce criticism from landlords and store managers, including former England and Leeds United star Danny Mills.
Now, Cllr Brown has broken rank and criticised the move which forms a part of the council’s masterplan for the town centre.
He said:
Cllr Brown questioned what economic modelling had been done for the pedestrianisation and whether the consultation for the move was sufficient.
Harrogate Borough Council has maintained that the temporary pedestrianisation was for “social distancing and safety purposes”.
A spokesperson for the council said:
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, previously defended the the measure and said it was "timely and appropriate".
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