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04
Mar 2021
Last Updated: 03/03/2021
Cycling and crime concerns raised at Station Gateway consultation
A consultation event for the £7.8m Station Gateway project in Harrogate was held last night. The scheme aims to promote alternative transport to cars but concerns about the new design for Station Parade, anti-social behaviour and cycle lanes were raised.
The first consultation event into Harrogate's Station Gateway project last night saw concerns raised about the need for more cycling lanes as well as an increase in anti-social behaviour.
The online event enabled people to ask questions about the £7.8 million town centre project, which is being funded from the government's £317 million Transforming Cities Fund.
Representatives from Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, as well as engineering consultants, discussed the plans and answered questions.
If the current proposals are approved, the area around the town's bus and train stations on Station Parade will look vastly different.
Traffic would be reduced a single lane to create more space for cycling, walking and public transport.
One member of the public asked if the design and reduced amount of traffic would increase anti-social behaviour.
Aidan Rayner, Transforming Cities Fund delivery project manager at North Yorkshire County Council, said:
"One of the main parts of this proposal is to improve public experience. We don't believe that these plans would impact public safety".
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Another member of the public asked what evidence there was to support the increased demand for cycling. In response, Matthew Roberts an economy and transport officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said:
"Increasing recognition of the climate emergency and the need to make healthier choices is generating more demand. Faster cycling routes, I think, will mean more will choose to cycle.
"We have 79,000 people living within a 20-minute cycle ride to the town centre."
Mr Roberts said high streets were changing and Harrogate needed to adapt to continue attracting visitors.
Those behind the proposals said the suggestions at the event would be taken forward in further discussions.
A second public consultation is due to take place next week on March 10.
The plans will then be considered in detail before work begins. Mr Rayner said he hoped construction could begin in spring next year.
He added disruption would be limited as much as possible.
What’s your view of the Station Gateway proposal? Email letters@thestrayferret.co.uk with your thoughts and we may include it on our letters page, Stray Views, published each Sunday.
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