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13
Dec
Harrogate Station Gateway traffic orders set for approval
The £12.1 million Harrogate Station Gateway looks set to move a step closer today.
North Yorkshire Council is expected to approve Traffic Regulation Orders that will pave the way for work to begin next year.
The news comes days after a business coalition called Get Away was formed to oppose the current gateway plans. We reported on the group’s formation here and plan to publish an interview with leader Steven Baines this weekend.
Matt Roberts, the council’s economic and regeneration project manager, recommends the orders proceed in a report to the local authority’s Conservative-controlled environment executive. You can read the report here.
Mr Roberts’ report says the gateway will “improve sustainable travel”, enhance access to the bus station by creating a new bus lane on Station Parade, improve cycling, improve Station Square and One Arch and enhance traffic signalling.
A public consultation on the traffic orders ran from July 25 to August 26.
The report says “responses have been received claiming that the consultation process has been unfair and inadequate” but “officers are satisfied that consultation has been in accordance with statutory requirements” and it would “not be proportionate or appropriate to hold a public Inquiry” into the concerns.
It adds:
The holding of a public inquiry would need to be resourced and would result in a delay to the orders. This in turn could impact on the council’s ability to progress the project.
The Get Away group said in its consultation submission the decision not to hold a public inquiry “is unfair and unlawful”.
It added:
The proposals for Harrogate are fundamentally different from those which have previously been consulted upon. Without proper public consultation these proposals are being ushered in through the ‘back door’.
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