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24
Mar 2021
Harrogate cycle groups back one-lane Station Parade plan
Cycling and climate change groups have backed measures to reduce traffic on Station Parade to one lane and fully pedestrianise James Street in Harrogate.
Harrogate and District Cycle Action (HDCA) and Zero Carbon Harrogate issued their comments as part of the consultation on the town’s £7.9 million Station Gateway proposals, which ends today.
Business organisations, including Independent Harrogate and Harrogate Business Improvement District, have expressed concern at some of the plans and rejected the one-lane option.
But both HDCA and Zero Carbon Harrogate support creating a single lane for traffic on Station Parade, which also includes cycle lanes.
Read more:
- Harrogate Civic Society calls for Station Gateway to remain two lanes
- Harrogate BID “urges caution” over Station Gateway project
- Independent Harrogate fears Station Gateway could damage economy
HDCA said in its response to the plans:
The two groups also support the pedestrianisation of James Street to improve cycling and walking in the town centre.
'Safer and more pleasant'
Zero Carbon Harrogate said pedestrianisation, combined with a single lane of traffic on Station Parade, would reduce town centre traffic. It said:
The proposal for James Street has also been backed by Paul Haslam, a Conservative who represents Harrogate Old Bilton on Harrogate Borough Council.
Cllr Haslam, who has worked as a retail director and lecturer for the last 24 years, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it would be "the best thing that could ever happen to it".
He said:
Business concerns remain
The government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to encourage sustainable transport, is funding the gateway scheme.
A partnership between North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority is delivering the initiative.
Businesses remain concerned that any measures to reduce traffic could harm trade.
Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association and a former Harrogate resident, said the measures included in the project would have a "negative impact" on its members' businesses.
Sandra Doherty, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said a "well thought out plan" was needed for the town centre, which takes into the account the views of businesses, local people and visitors from further afield.
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