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13
Dec 2022
Transport chief still 'committed' to Harrogate Station Gateway, despite inflation fears
North Yorkshire County Council remains “committed to moving forward” with Harrogate’s £10.9m Station Gateway project — with work set to begin November 2023.
It follows mounting concerns over the increased cost of building materials and how inflation will impact delivery of the long-awaited scheme.
Conservative councillor Keane Duncan, executive member for highways at the council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the scheme will go ahead but “elements could change” due to inflationary pressures and feedback from the latest public consultation.
Last month, Cllr Duncan sent a letter to David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, that made 10 pledges to the Harrogate business community following feedback.
These included a commitment for the new council to hold a full parking review and for regular meetings to take place during construction between business owners and the building contractor Galliford Try.
Cllr Duncan added:
Read more:
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The gateway project has been in development for three years and aims to make the town centre more accessible to cyclists and pedestrians.
But measures such as reducing Station Parade to one-lane traffic and a part-pedestrianisation of James Street have proved to be unpopular with some business leaders in Harrogate.
Inflationary pressures
Since the project won government funding through its Transforming Cities Fund with an expected budget of £7.9m, inflation and the cost of building materials have led councils across the country to revaluate major building projects.
Last week, West Yorkshire Combined Authority announced that projects including the Bradford to Shipley Corridor, South East Bradford Access Road, Halifax Station Gateway, Leeds Inland Port were due to be “paused” indefinitely for financial reasons.
Mr Simister told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was unsure if the scheme in Harrogate would be delivered.
A further obstacle was placed in front of the council this year when the property firm Hornbeam Park Developments threatened a judicial review after claiming a council-run consultation on the proposals was “unlawful” — which the council rejects.
Mr Simister said:
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