Work on the long-delayed Harrogate Station Gateway project is due to begin in January, with improvements around the town’s bus and rail stations set to be delivered in four phases.

The scheme will see Station Square cleared, with the tempietto destroyed to make space for events; 25 of the 28 parking spaces on Station Parade removedand new bus and cycle lanes created.

North Yorkshire Council confirmed the start date yesterday (October 27), marking a significant milestone for a scheme that has taken six years to reach this point.

The controversial project has faced opposition during consultations, been scaled back and survived a legal challenge. Several previous start dates have also been missed.

This time, however, the council says preparations are under way, including plans for a construction compound and scheduled roadworks.

So what will change, how will the work be carried out and how much will it cost?

Alex Richards, the council’s programme delivery manager, outlined the plans to the Conservative-led cabinet at yesterday’s meeting.

He said the work would be delivered in phases: One Arch, Station Parade North, Station Parade Central and Station Parade South.

The slides presented at the meeting show what each phase will involve.

The changing project cost

The gateway was originally budgeted at £7.9 million but costs had risen to £14.6 million this year.

Mr Richards told the cabinet the scheme was now expected to cost £13.4m.

He said: “This figure is actually lower than previously estimated and that follows the receipt of final costings from my colleagues in the utility companies and various other opportunities and prices coming back from our preferred contractor NY Highways.”

The council planned to use Galliford Try, one of the UK's largest construction firms, but opted instead for its own in-house firm NY Highways.

However, questions remain over the overall funding.

The Stray Ferret has requested a full breakdown of the costs, as the council’s own internal documents put the figure at £12.6m. The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority subsequently allocated £2m, as detailed in this report.

Mr Richards told the cabinet the combined authority had contributed £1.3m towards improving traffic lights in Harrogate, of which £150,000 fell within the scope of the Station Gateway project.

Why has work been delayed until January?

Councillor Michael Harrison, who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, said the start had been pushed back to the new year following concerns from businesses about disruption before Christmas.

He said: “It’s important to recognise that we are listening to local stakeholders. It’s not 18 months of non-stop disruption, it is pockets of work throughout the area rather than the entire area being disrupted during this period.”

Council hopes project will boost Harrogate

Councillor Malcolm Taylor, who oversees highways projects, said the scheme should pave the way for further investment and improvements to the town centre.

“This should be the catalyst for further economic generation into Harrogate, big improvements into the public realm so it’s important that it’s looked at as a starting point.”

Work is expected to begin in January, with the four phases setting out how the transformation around Harrogate’s bus and rail stations will be delivered.