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13
Jan 2023
Harrogate business group calls for 'better solution' to Station Gateway
A Harrogate business group has called for a “better solution” to the Station Gateway scheme following the publication of the latest consultation.
David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said the scheme would have a “massive impact” on town centre businesses.
However, a Harrogate cycling group urged North Yorkshire County Council to progress with the project after thousands responded to the latest survey.
The third consultation results, which were published today, revealed 46 per cent of the responses were negative, 45 per cent were positive and nine per cent neutral towards the scheme.
The outcome is closer than the previous consultation when 59 per cent were negative and 39 per cent positive.
Mr Simister said all groups, including cyclists, needed to come together to come up with a solution that “all parties can buy into”.
He said:
Read more:
- Council leader faces call to drop £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway if public oppose it
- Transport chief still ‘committed’ to Harrogate Station Gateway, despite inflation fears
- New consultation reveals more people still oppose than support £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway
Kevin Douglas, of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said the responses included some positive comments for the scheme.
He added the county council should proceed with its planned November start date.
Mr Douglas said:
The Stray Ferret contacted Chris Bentley, owner of Hornbeam Park Developments, for comment on the results, but he declined.
'Significantly higher support'
The £11.2 million scheme would transform the area around Harrogate’s railway and bus stations but has proved controversial because of its potential impact on business and traffic. It would see James Street partly pedestrianised and traffic on Station Parade reduced to single-lane.
A total of 2,044 people responded to the latest consultation — almost twice as many as last time.
North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, said today’s results “demonstrate significantly higher support for the proposals”.
Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said:
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