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18
Nov
Harrogate town centre transformation to begin in New Year
Work is set to start on the £14.6 million Harrogate Station Gateway in the New Year — and could last almost two years.
Senior Conservatives voted at a meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s today (November 18) to appoint the council's in-house company NY Highways as contractor.
They agreed to do so even though a legal challenge against the project looks set to go ahead.
The scheme will see the redevelopment of One Arch and Station Square, improved traffic signals, a bus lane, a southbound cycle lane on Station Parade, new paving for pedestrians and cycle parking at Harrogate Railway Station.
In a press statement this afternoon, the council said work will begin in the New Year to avoid disruption over the festive period. The project is due be completed in autumn 2027.
Cllr Malcolm Taylor, executive councillor for highways, said:
The scheme has been in the making for around five years, with several rounds of consultation and engagement to produce the final designs.
We have maintained our commitment to delivering the scheme, which will be key in promoting sustainable travel and public transport options.
The town centre will become more visibly appealing, ultimately driving economic prosperity through improved access to employment and future investment.
The move comes as the Court of Appeal granted permission for a ruling into the Station Gateway to be reviewed.
Judge Mark Ockelton rejected a judicial challenge from the Get Away campaign group following a two-day High Court hearing in April.
However, the Court of Appeal has given permission for a review of the High Court ruling to go-ahead.
Officials at North Yorkshire Council had submitted a request to the court that the High Court ruling should not be reconsidered.
In a report before senior councillors today, Alex Richards, Transforming Cities Fund programme manager at the council, said it was the council’s position that it was “entitled to rely on the High Court’s decision as a valid basis for moving forward”.
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