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05
May 2023
Crucial vote today on Harrogate Station Gateway
A crucial vote will be held today over whether the controversial Harrogate Station Gateway scheme should go ahead.
The Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee will meet at 10am to decide whether to back the £11.2 million project.
While the final decision will be made by North Yorkshire Council's leaders later this year, executive member for transport Cllr Keane Duncan has said he will abide by the vote given by local representatives.
The project, financed by the government's Transforming Cities Fund, would see a bus lane and two-way cycle space introduced on Station Parade, with traffic reduced to one lane.
Cheltenham Mount would become a one-way street, while James Street would be partially pedestrianised from Princes Street eastwards
Improvements would be made to junctions and crossings on Cheltenham Parade and Station Parade, and to the roundabout near the Odeon cinema on East Parade. There would also be work to the One Arch underpass, Station Square and the length of Station Parade to create a more welcoming environment.
A report due before the committee today said:
A part-pedestrianised James Street
The meeting will hear from the council's head of major projects and infrastructure Richard Binks and its economic and regeneration project manager Matt Roberts, as well as Tania Weston, Transforming Cities Fund programme manager.
Half an hour is allocated to public questions and statements, though these had to be submitted in advance of the deadline earlier this week.
The committee, meeting at the civic centre in St Luke's Avenue, Harrogate, is made up of 13 councillors who represent divisions in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Of them, eight are Liberal Democrats and five are Conservatives.
Only two have so far declared their voting intentions: Michael Schofield, who represents the Harlow and St Georges division for the Lib Dems has said he will not support the plans.
Cllr Schofield argued the plans could damage local businesses, and said North Yorkshire Council has a poor track record in delivering active travel projects, citing the much-criticised Otley Road cycleway.
However, Conservative Paul Haslam, of the Bilton and Nidd Gorge division, said he is planning to vote in favour.
He said the changes would be a step forward in encouraging active travel, and would also make for a better first impression for people arriving in Harrogate by bus or train.
Read more:
- Stray Views: Time for councillors to back Harrogate Station Gateway
- Dutch-style roundabout ditched from £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway
Businesses have raised concerns about the potential impact of the changes on town centre trade, arguing fewer people would shop there if they could not park nearby.
A total of 40 parking spaces would be lost through the changes: 20 on Station Parade and 20 on James Street.
Four taxi spaces and three disabled bays would be lost on James Street, but one extra taxi space and three disabled bays would be added on Station Parade.
After a third consultation on the plans was held at the end of last year, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce said:
However, the plans have found support among other groups and individuals.
In a letter to the Stray Ferret last month, former town centre business owner and cycling campaigner Malcolm Margolis said:
Today's meeting begins at 10am. The Stray Ferret will be covering the debate and vote live – keep an eye on our website for the latest updates.
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