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28
Oct 2021
Public inquiry threat revealed for James Street pedestrianisation plans
The threat of a public inquiry has been revealed as a reason why plans for a full-time pedestrianisation of one of Harrogate’s busiest shopping streets have been dropped from the £10.9 million Station Gateway project.
North Yorkshire County Council received strong support when it consulted on the idea of removing traffic from James Street.
But it now wants to see only Princes Square to Station Parade pedestrianised, with loading vehicles still allowed to use the street at limited times. This partial pedestrianisation was the least supported option.
Karl Battersby, corporate director of business and environmental services at the council, said this option was being pursued because the authority believes it could face objections which would trigger a public inquiry if a full-time pedestrianisation is progressed.
He said:
Read more:
- First glimpse of how Harrogate will look after £10.9m transformation
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Mr Battersby also said a full-time pedestrianisation “remains possible” in the future after the completion of the gateway project, which requires government cash to be spent by March 2023.
He added the council’s preferred option of part-time restrictions would still retain many of the changes to the look of James Street that would be included under a full-time pedestrianisation.
He said:
Contentious plans
The detailed plans were first revealed in February when residents and businesses were also consulted with.
It is only now – eight months on – that the council has spoken of the potential threat of a public inquiry.
This could be in part due to negative feedback from some business owners and residents, however, the council’s own consultation results show a full-time pedestrianisation would be well supported.
Of the 1,101 respondents to the consultation, 45% were in favour of this option, while 32% said no changes should be made to the layout of James Street.
Meanwhile, just 17% supported a part-time pedestrianisation – the option that the council is now pushing ahead with.
Although James Street has proved to be one of the most contentious parts of the gateway project, it is only a small part of the overall plans.
There are also proposals to reduce Station Parade to a single lane of traffic to create room for a cycle lane, as well improvements to Station Square and the One Arch underpass.
The latest consultation on the entire project is currently underway and residents and businesses have until November 12 to have their say before more detailed proposals are drawn up and a final decision is made.
If approved, it is anticipated that construction will start in spring 2022 for approximately 12 months.
For more information and to have your say, visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.
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