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27
Oct
Major Harrogate roadworks set to last almost two years as gateway start date revealed
The £14.6 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme is set to begin in the New Year after contractors were appointed today (October 27).
NY Highways will carry out the Transforming Cities Fund project on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.
The scheme aims to improve access to Harrogate Rail Station as well as the pedestrian route beneath the One Arch railway bridge.
Station Square will be cleared, and the tempietto destroyed, to create more space for events.
The scheme is expected to be completed in autumn 2028 – meaning roadworks are likely for the best part of two years.
In a press release announcing the news, the council said it had chosen the date to avoid Christmas disruption.
It added it will hold drop-in sessions and visit businesses “to provide information, explain how the works will be carried out and discuss any concerns they may have”.
'We will try and reduce disruption'
Today's start date is the latest of several given for the stalling scheme.
NY Highways, which will carry out the work, is wholly-owned by the council.
Cllr Malcolm Taylor, the council’s executive member for highways and transport, 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.
Local businesses are at the heart of Harrogate, and this project is to ultimately drive economic prosperity through improved access to employment and future investment, so we want to take businesses with us every step of the way.”
Designs for Station Parade under the Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.
The scheme has proved controversial among businesses and residents, with successive council consultations showed more people oppose than support the gateway.
Today’s press release included supportive comments from two businesses.
Harry Braid, of Harrogate based property investor and owners of The Exchange, Rushbond PLC, said:
As the new owners of The Exchange, we are delighted to see the ambitions of North Yorkshire Council, and the provision of substantial capital to improve the arrival experience and connections between the railway station and Harrogate town centre.
The tempietto
Gary Millar of Sheet Anchor Evolve, which operates Victoria Shopping Centre, added:
We mark the gateway to Harrogate’s established retail centre, and we support this upgrade at a point that aligns perfectly with our own ambitions. We are particularly excited about plans for Station Square and look forward to the variety of events it will host in the coming years.
“Refreshing and diversifying the shopping experience by investing in our public realm is key to driving more footfall and supporting Harrogate’s fantastic retail offer.
The project is predominantly funded through the government’s TCF, which is a major programme of transport infrastructure investment covering North Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region.
However, rising costs has meant local taxpayers will also have to contribute.
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