The latest consultation on the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme has revealed more people still oppose the scheme than support it.
The results, published today, show 46 per cent of the responses were negative, 45 per cent were positive and nine per cent neutral.
However, the outcome is closer than the previous consultation when 59 per cent were negative and 39 per cent positive.
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.
North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, said today’s results “demonstrate significantly higher support for the proposals”.
A total of 2,044 people responded to the latest consultation — almost twice as many as last time.
Just 41 per cent felt very positive/positive about the likely impact on businesses whereas 51 per cent strongly agreed/agreed the proposals would be a better use of public space, and make the town centre more attractive to residents and visitors.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:
“It is encouraging to see the public voice significant and growing support for the gateway scheme and its objectives.
“While overall opinion of the scheme is split almost 50:50, key elements of the scheme received positive support from the public who took part. They told us they believe the scheme will be positive for business, make getting around the town centre safer and encourage more people to walk and cycle.”
How the area outside the train station would look.
Cllr Duncan added:
“I am hopeful that this thorough process will address areas of concern and help build further support for the gateway scheme from Harrogate residents, businesses and visitors.
“The next stage will be for local Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors to consider the feedback and have their say on whether they wish the scheme to go ahead. Subject to approvals, we remain on track to start construction in November.”
Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, Cllr Phil Ireland, said:
“I am delighted to see that the majority of people who responded agreed that the proposals would encourage walking and cycling in the town centre.”
What happens now?
The council now intends to draw up final designs.
The findings of the third consultation and details about next steps will be presented to North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation on January 20.
These will include publication of the necessary traffic regulation orders, which is scheduled for February.
In May, executive councillors will consider the outcome of the recent consultations and whether to submit the full business case to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which would need to be approved to release the funding.
In the event that all approvals for the scheme are received, construction is expected to begin by November.
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
What is the Station Gateway?
The project is one of three in North Yorkshire, and 39 nationally, being mainly funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund to promote active travel.
North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the West `Yorkshire Combined Authority are working together on the scheme, funded by £10.9m of funding from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund and a £300,000 contribution from Harrogate Borough Council.
North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority all support the gateway.
