Harrogate Borough Council has put in a request to North Yorkshire County Council for a controversial plan to temporarily pedestrianise James Street.
At the same time as the request went to the county council, Harrogate Borough Council asked for views on the scheme from the BID.
In an e-mail to levy-payers, Harrogate BID said it had been contacted by the authority looking for support on the move which could see the street closed off to vehicles.
The email said the council’s reasoning for the move was for “safety and social distancing measures” and that it would be a significant benefit for shoppers, visitors and businesses.
It added that the pedestrianisation could improve the experience for shoppers and that there was “anecdotal evidence” of an increase in speed from cars on the street due to no parking.
However, this has been fiercely opposed by traders such as William Woods and trade body Independent Harrogate.
Mr Woods said the current widened pavements was already effecting businesses on James Street and the town’s masterplan, which includes a potential pedestrianisation, is out of date.
“It’s had an adverse effect and to say that it would be helpful to pedestrianise is nonsense.
“The masterplan is out of date and we want a well organised, structured plan which is up to date.”
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Any such closure of James Street would be made by North Yorkshire County Council and Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, said the authority would respond to the borough council’s request shortly.
He said:
“I can confirm that I have received a letter this week from the HBC Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport, in which he requests a temporary closure of James Street. I have discussed the request with senior officers and we will be responding shortly.
“It is worth remembering that the successful bid to the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund for the £7.9 million Harrogate Gateway scheme includes partial closure of James Street on which the County Council will be consulting in the near future.”
In its e-mail, Harrogate BID said it was looking for views from businesses before responding to the borough council.
It comes as James Street already has suspended parking spaces in order to widen the pavement for social distancing, which were put in place by the county council in May.
But the plan to pedestrianise fits into a wider strategy for Harrogate drawn up by the borough council in its 2016 Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan. It states:
“The council’s preferred option is for the full pedestrianisation of James Street. This option will serve to link the public realm schemes at Prospect Square and Station Square.”
Harrogate Borough Council has been approached for comment on the proposal.
