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29
Oct
Defending Harrogate gateway scheme was important for town’s future, says councillor
North Yorkshire Council was right to robustly defend its controversial £13.4m Harrogate Gateway scheme against legal challenges because of its importance to the town’s economic future, a senior councillor has said.
Cllr Malcolm Taylor, the authority’s executive member for highways and transport, said the council had successfully resisted challenges to the project, which he believes will act as a catalyst for investment and regeneration in Harrogate town centre.
His comments come after the council confirmed that contractors have been appointed to deliver the long-awaited scheme, with construction expected to begin in the New Year.
The project, which has been in development for almost six years, has faced opposition from campaigners concerned about changes to traffic arrangements around the town’s bus and railway stations.
Station Square
The legal challenges included an appeal brought by A & E Baines Ltd and led by campaign group Get Away against four traffic regulation orders associated with the scheme.
The orders cover measures including a combined bus and cycle lane, one-way traffic arrangements and turning restrictions near the stations.
However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the challenge in March, upholding an earlier High Court ruling and finding that the council had acted lawfully.
Cllr Taylor defended the authority’s handling of the legal disputes.
He said:
“On each occasion the council has robustly resisted each challenge and the courts have determined in favour of North Yorkshire Council.
“It was important we did that because the work is a catalyst for attracting new investment and the economic regeneration of the town centre.”
'A significant investment in Harrogate'
The councillor said he welcomed the appointment of NY Highways to carry out the work, which will focus on the Station Parade area.
The scheme is intended to improve access to Harrogate railway station for pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers, as well as creating more attractive public spaces.
It will also include improvements to the pedestrian route beneath the One Arch railway bridge, providing a safer and more welcoming connection to the town centre.
Cllr Taylor acknowledged that the construction programme could cause concerns for businesses but said the council would work to minimise disruption.
He said:
After almost six years in the pipeline, we welcome the start of this scheme which represents a significant investment in Harrogate town centre.
We understand that any scheme of this scale can raise questions, particularly around how it will affect trade, so those ongoing discussions are important.
We will try and reduce disruption wherever possible, so we are starting the work in the New Year to avoid impacting businesses over the busy trading period.
Cllr Malcolm Taylor (left) and council corporate director Karl Battersby.
He said the project was ultimately intended to drive economic prosperity by improving access to employment and encouraging future investment.
Business support
The scheme has also received support from some town centre businesses.
Harry Braid, of Harrogate-based property investor Rushbond PLC, which owns The Exchange, welcomed the investment in improving connections between the railway station and the town centre.
Gary Millar, of Sheet Anchor Evolve, which operates Victoria Shopping Centre, said the improvements aligned with the company’s own ambitions and could help increase footfall.
The £13.4m project is being funded through £11m from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, £1.35m from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and £1.05m from North Yorkshire Council.
Construction is expected to begin early next year, with completion scheduled for autumn 2028.
The council says it will hold drop-in sessions and visit businesses directly before and during the works to explain the construction programme and address concerns.
The Get Away campaign declined to comment when approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
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