Andrew Jones has called for government funding for the Harrogate Station Gateway to be reallocated to other projects.
The Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough said North Yorkshire Council should not waste time trying to keep the project alive, after it today announced it was “rescinding” its decision to proceed.
That announcement came following a legal challenge from Hornbeam Park Developments, which had applied for a judicial review of the way the Station Gateway project had been managed.
Mr Jones said:
“The key consideration is that the latest challenge means that the deadline to spend the cash allocated to this area is certain to expire. It is time therefore to stop spending public money trying to drag what is effectively a timed-out dead scheme – the good parts regrettably and the bad too – over the line.
“The council must start talking to government about retaining the funding and re-positioning it to other projects in Harrogate and Knaresborough. I am happy to help with that process.”
The project has been controversial, with business organisations raising concerns about its impact on footfall and therefore the viability of town centre shops.
The £11.2m scheme was to be funded by the Transforming Cities Fund, and would have seen Station Parade narrowed to one lane around the bus and railway stations.
A bus lane and cycle routes would have been introduced, as part of plans to encourage more active travel.
It would also have included the pedestrianisation of the eastern half of James Street, and changes to Lower Station Parade, with a bus lane added on its eastern side.
‘Flip-flopping’
At a meeting of Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee in May, business owners raised concerns about the impact of the loss of 40 parking spaces and potential queues of traffic through the town centre.
After three hours, the committee voted by eight to three in favour of supporting the scheme.
All five Conservative councillors and most Liberal Democrats voted for it,
Liberal Democrat leader and committee chairman Cllr Pat Marsh said councillors had been given a free vote on the issue.
The public gallery at the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee meeting in May
However, Cllr Marsh then went to the meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s executive to plead with its members not to proceed with the scheme.
The next month, the Lib Dems withdrew all its councillors’ support, citing the lack of meaningful engagement with businesses and local residents over their concerns.
In today’s statement on the issue, Mr Jones took aim at the Lib Dems for “flip-flopping” on the project:
“Of course, consistent political leadership is critical when managing major investment and the majority group on the Harrogate and Knaresborough area committee has been unable to provide that.
“Whether or not one supports the gateway project in total, in part or not at all such weak local leadership presents difficulty when we look to attracting future investment.”
Looking to the future, Mr Jones said there were elements of the Station Gateway project that could be carried forward into a new scheme.
He also said he had asked North Yorkshire Council to address concerns over other parts of the plan.
He added:
“There are parts of the scheme I think that are welcome – the emphasis on sustainable transport, tidying up the area as you come out of the bus and train stations, the improvement of the public realm, changing the crossing arrangements on Lower Station Parade, improving the shabby one arch and so on.
“There are elements of concern too such as the narrowing of Station Parade for a short stretch outside the bus station and how deliveries to businesses will work and I have consistently asked the council to address these concerns. It is clear that significant numbers have not been reassured by the explanations that have been given.”
Read more:
- Decision to proceed with £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway revoked after legal challenge
- Secret Bakery set to open new shop in Harrogate station
