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Jun 2022

Last Updated: 15/06/2022

Transport

Another consultation to take place on £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway

by John Plummer

| 15 Jun, 2022

The decision to hold a third round of consultation in response to concerns about traffic means the scheme is unlikely to start until winter — if at all.

Another round of consultation is to take place on the Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

The decision to hold a third round of consultation, in response to concerns about traffic, means the scheme is unlikely to start until winter — if at all.

The project, which would pedestrianise part of James Street and reduce some traffic on Station Parade to single lane to encourage walking and cycling, appeared certain to go ahead when North Yorkshire County Council's executive approved it in January.

The plan then was to submit a business case to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which is funding the initiative, by last month and for work to start later this year.

But there have been no updates since and the political landscape has changed since local elections on May 5.

Don Mackenzie, the Harrogate-based executive councillor for access who hailed the gateway as the “greatest investment in decades” in Harrogate town centre, did not seek re-election and there is a new executive team in charge at North Yorkshire County Council.

Harrogate Borough Council, which supports the scheme, faces abolition in nine months.

Now the county council is saying it will consider feedback from a new round of consultation before deciding whether to proceed.

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Karl Battersby, corporate director of business and environmental services, said today:

“We received significant feedback as part of the two consultation exercises carried out thus far, and we are grateful that local residents and businesses have engaged with this project.

"While there has been no formal legal challenge in response to issues raised regarding the consultation last autumn, we acknowledge that the impact of the changes on traffic levels and traffic flows were key issues that were raised as part of the consultation.

"We intend to provide further information on those aspects as well as consulting on the formal traffic regulation orders, which would be required to carry out the changes on James Street and Station Parade.

Mr Battersby added:

“The results of the consultation will be fully considered before a final decision is made to submit the business case to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure the funding.

“Subject to consideration of the outcome of the consultation, work could begin during the coming winter with completion in winter 2023/24.”

Christmas shopping fears

When the scheme was approved in January, business groups called for work not to take place in the run-up to Christmas to avoid any disruption on shops at this key time.

Responding to today's news of a possible winter start, David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said:

“The last thing town centre businesses – particularly those in retail and hospitality – want is major disruption in the run up to Christmas.

"It’s essential nothing is done to hinder trade in this important period. It is vital that if construction work has begun, then everything must be done to minimise any impact it may have.”

Mr Simister added:

“Whilst we must respect the decision taken earlier this year to press ahead with the Harrogate Station Gateway project, I welcome the news that there is going to be further consultation, in particular providing more information on the traffic modelling which was a highly contentious element of the scheme.

“I’m also interested in the materials being used, and how the area in front of Victoria Shopping Centre will look.”

Mr Battersby responded by saying:

“Any date for the start of work on the project will be subject to feedback from the forthcoming consultation and submission of the business case to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure the funding.

"However, we would ensure that work would avoid the Christmas period, and before work began we would develop a construction management plan, which we would share with businesses.”

Mr Battersby added the council intended to provide further information on traffic levels and traffic flows, in addition to statutory consultation on the formal traffic regulation orders, which would be required to carry out the changes on James Street and Station Parade.

The Harrogate scheme forms part of a wider £42m funding bid that also includes projects in Selby and Skipton that would support a shift towards more sustainable travel, such as walking, cycling and public transport.

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Another consultation to take place on £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway

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