The Harrogate Station Gateway project is set to reach a crucial stage as the final round of consultation draws to a close this week.
Residents have until Friday to give their say on the contentious proposals, which would change the look of the town centre.
Here is the story of the scheme so far and what happens next.
What is the Station Gateway project?
The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42 million in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby paid for by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.
It is led by
North Yorkshire County Council in partnership with
Harrogate Borough Council and
West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Since it was launched back in February, the project has outlined measures such as the part-pedestrianisation of James Street, reducing Station Gateway to one-lane and improvements to One Arch.
Should it be approved, it is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.
What does the council say?
Council officials say the purpose of the scheme is to improve walking and cycling in the town centre.
They also say that it will benefit businesses, despite concern over the project - in particular the pedestrianisation of James Street between Princes Square and Station Parade.
In October, Matthew Roberts, economy and transport officer at
Harrogate Borough Council, told an online consultation event the scheme was a case of “short-term disruption for long-term gain”.
He said national case studies from similar schemes had shown they could boost trade by up to 40% by making the town centre more attractive and easier to access for non-car users.
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He also pointed to a
KPMG report, which outlined the impact of covid on town centres across the country and what can be done for high streets to survive the pandemic.
The authority has used the report, as well as a 2019 congestion study in Harrogate, to back up its proposals. However, it is unclear what further impact assessments it has taken.
The council is working against the clock as the Department for Transport has set a deadline of March 2023 for the scheme to be completed.
Recently, the authority revealed that one of the reasons it chose not to fully pedestrianise James Street
was because of the threat of a public inquiry if it were objected to - which could delay the project.
The option to part-pedestrianise was the least supported during its first consultation, with most people backing a full pedestrianisation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjI5qX83_lI&t=250s
But officials said the move struck an “appropriate balance between the wishes of respondents and risks to delivery of the scheme”.
They added in the Gateway
proposal document:
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