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11
Jun
Transport chief says Station Gateway will 'deliver long-term benefits for Harrogate'
Transport chief Councillor Malcolm Taylor has said the £14.6 million Harrogate Station Gateway will make the town more prosperous and a better place to visit after a poll highlighted strong opposition to the scheme.
Eighty-two per cent of respondents to the poll, by Harrogate-based civic polling platform Suffrago, said the gateway should not proceed.
The poll received more than 1,000 responses.
The gateway, which aims to improve the areas around Harrogate’s rail and bus stations, has been hailed as the biggest transformation to Harrogate town centre for 30 years.
It will see short bus and cycle lanes created on Station Parade, the One Arch pedestrian tunnel improved and Station Square relandscaped with the tempietto destroyed.
But many businesses and residents aren’t convinced the scheme will enhance the area and fear the project will lead to long-term disruption and run over-budget.
The Stray Ferret asked Cllr Taylor, the Conservative cabinet member for highways on North Yorkshire Council, for his reaction to the poll and whether the scheme will go ahead.
We asked why he had previously said the scheme has “broad support” even though the council’s own consultations have discovered more people oppose than support it.
He sent the following reply:
We have undertaken an extensive programme of consultation on the Harrogate Station Gateway scheme, engaging with residents, businesses, stakeholders and transport users throughout the process. This has included public exhibitions, online engagement, and targeted discussions to ensure a wide range of views have been heard.
The feedback received demonstrates support for the government-funded scheme’s ambitions to improve access to the station, enhance the public realm, and create a more welcoming and sustainable gateway to the town. Respondents have particularly highlighted the importance of improving safety, accessibility, and connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
We have carefully considered all feedback and have used it to shape and refine the proposals. This has ensured the scheme reflects local priorities while delivering long-term benefits for Harrogate’s economy, environment and visitor experience, that meets the needs of the community. The project is set to begin later this year.
What do you think? Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk
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