Work on Harrogate’s Station Gateway project could continue into 2024 — considerably longer than first indicated.
The scheme was given the green light by North Yorkshire County Council’s executive yesterday, paving the way for its implementation.
The Department for Transport, which is funding the initiative, had set a deadline of March 2023 for completion. Councils supporting it had said in consultation documents “it is anticipated that construction of the scheme will begin in spring 2022 for approximately 12 months”.
But North Yorkshire County Council, which is the lead partner on the scheme, said after yesterday’s meeting the Department for Transport had now advised the deadline could be extended into 2024.
A county council spokesman said:
“Although the Department for Transport set an initial completion date of March 2023, the department has advised that completion could extend into 2024.”
This could lead to longer-term disruption for businesses already concerned about the impact on trade, although the councils have said “we will aim to ensure all roads remain open to traffic at all times, and noise and other disturbance from the works will be minimised”.
What happens now with the gateway?
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access, has hailed the £10.9 million gateway initiative as the “greatest investment in decades” in Harrogate town centre.
Key proposals include reducing Station Parade to one lane and the part pedestrianisation of James Street to encourage more walking and cycling.
Yesterday, senior county councillors gave their backing for the scheme to move to detailed design stage and for a final business case to be drawn up.
The final case will be submitted to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which administers the funding for the Harrogate, Skipton and Selby schemes, which together are worth £42 million.
Read more:
- In depth: What is the economic case for Harrogate’s Station Gateway?
- Business groups claim they’ve been ignored in Station Gateway consultation
- Harrogate set for ‘greatest investment in town centre in decades’
Council bosses said the business case could be submitted by May 2022.
They added work could start on the Harrogate project “later this year”. They had previously indicated work would be underway by spring or summer but now appear to less specific.
Impact on businesses
The council backed the scheme despite considerable opposition from businesses and residents groups.
David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, told councillors that businesses had been “ignored” and that an economic impact study did not take into account the disruption on businesses.
He said:
“Does the economic impact study take into account the disruption delivering this Project will have on businesses already on their knees through to the ongoing impact of covid?”
Barrie Mason, assistant director of highways at the county council, responded to say officers were “reluctant” to make a final economic case while “designs were evolving”.
However, he added that the “foundation” of the council’s economic case had been shared with businesses and the public at a meeting organised by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce in November 2021.
Mr Mason added:
“We delayed publishing a final economic case until after the consultation had been completed and any amendments could be taken into account.”
He went onto to say that the county council would “work closely with contractors” to minimise any disruption to the town centre by construction of the scheme.
