Harrogate’s business groups have raised concerns over plans to close off streets in Harrogate to create a “low traffic neighbourhood”.
North Yorkshire County Council revealed that it will close Beech Grove to through traffic in less than two weeks’ time.
The experimental closure will be in place for six months from February 15 and, depending on the results of a public consultation, it could become permanent.
Residents, refuse collections and emergency services will still have access to the area. But motorists will no longer be able to get directly from Otley Road to West Park via Beech Grove.
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Now officials at the chamber of commerce and business improvement district have weighed in on the debate, arguing the struggling high street could be negatively affected by the plans.
Sandra Doherty, the chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said:
“The solution is not, and never will be, the random closing of one road or another. A fully thought out, cohesive plan, which must involve all stakeholders should be undertaken.
“We must understand that no one single group will have the perfect solution. There will have to be some give and take.”
She added:
“I am not convinced that the Government’s view of car free towns surrounded by cycle lanes and pavements is the solution to the decline of the high street.
“Now we have all got used to shopping online, towns will have to provide a more experiential offering. Banning cars or discouraging them just won’t help.”
The proposed area for the Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Beech Grove, including the planters on the junction with Lancaster Road.
Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, added:
“We need to know what else North Yorkshire Council is planning for the town centre.
“In its letter to Beech Grove and Lancaster Road residents, the council says this initiative is part of an overall ‘package of improvements’ but fails to reveal any more details.
“If its wider strategy is to reduce traffic in the town centre, then we need to know.
“We would like to think any future plans would include the addition of a large number of electric charging points. It would encourage those with electric vehicles to visit the town and help to reduce CO2 emissions.”
Ms Ferguson also said, if any free parking is to be lost, the BID would like to see Harrogate Borough and North Yorkshire County councils work together to reduce the costs in multi-storey car parks, which she said were under-used.
