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30

Oct 2021

Last Updated: 01/11/2021
Transport
Transport

Station Gateway: Too much money and creates no-go zones, say residents

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 30 Oct, 2021
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In the second face-to-face consultation on the Station Gateway project, local residents raised their concerns about the £10.9 million investment. Some were in favour but others raised questions about traffic and safety at night.

station-gateway-consultation

Local residents said Harrogate's £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme could mean unsafe "no-go zones" in the town centre and bottleneck traffic on Station Parade.

The second face-to-face consultation into the project was held today in Victoria Shopping Centre.

The scheme, which could lead to a reduction in parking spaces, the part-pedestrianisation of James Street and potentially up to a year of major road works, received a mixed response.

The main comments from people were about whether the total cost was balanced by the impact on the town and if pedestrianisation will create unsafe areas.

Chris and Maria Littlefair, from Killinghall, questioned whether it was enough to reduce the number of cars on the road. They said:

"Why isn't there more money being spent on updating the bus station? If they want more people on it they need to make it look more attractive.
"If there's no alternative to it or a way of getting cars out the centre completely then they need to do something, but I don't know if this is the solution."


Gordon Pearson, who will be directly affected on Mount Parade, said:

"Overall I think it's a good idea but I live on Mount Parade and there will be traffic regulations on the street. The turning from Cheltenham Parade to Mount Parade seems ridiculous to me.
"I think they're spending a lot of money making the town look pretty but I don't think it will make much difference.I'd like to see some improvements but I don't think the amount of spending is acceptable."


James Street could become a "no-go zone"


Local resident Emma Knight said:

"I think it's a lot of money to spend on one small thing when it's a bigger problem we have. Harrogate had a bit of a disadvantage as it's on a hill and I'm a keen cyclist but its geography is against it. There needs to be infrastructure around the town not just one spot.
"All these streets that might be pedestrianised won't be safe, when they shut the town down like that it becomes a no-go zone."


Louise echoed Ms Knight's concerns:

"My other major concern is pedestrianising the top of James Street. At night if you have to get to the train station, which they're promoting, you have to work through yet another pedestrianised area which isn't something I would be happy doing.
"Compared to Cambridge Street and near the theatre, James Street is the safe route in the town because there are cars through the night. So my compromise would be to allow cars to use it at night so people feel safe.





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Concern was raised over an increase of traffic on King's Road and Station Parade when it becomes one lane.

John said the emissions created by waiting cars could put people and cyclists off visiting:

"At the moment I think it's a vanity project, there's money available and this is how it's being used. They are talking about gentrifying Victoria Gardens but it will still be a main through-fare so the emissions fromt he vehicles will still be present, will people still sit there?"


For more information and to have your say on the project visit the consultation page here.