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14
May 2023
Last Updated: 12/05/2023
Stray Views: Station Gateway decision sparks outrage
Letters
Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
The Stray Ferret Letters inbox has been dominated this week by correspondence regarding the decision to go ahead with Harrogate's Station Gateway proposal. Here are excerpts from some of the emails we have received.
It beggars belief that even after so many negative comments /opposing opinions from local residents and established businesses, the gateway proposal should be given the go ahead to proceed. .. To endorse such a plan clearly paints those with authoritative clout as having no real knowledge of the consequences this proposal will have on the impact of vehicles through our town centre.
Steve Allcock
What kind of a democratic system do we have in Harrogate? When the residents from Granville Road Area Group have not been allowed a Public Meeting with regards to ‘The Gateway Scheme’ before the scheme was passed.
However, we will now be allowed one after they were passed last Friday 5 of May.
Surely in the scoping and screening phases of a major project such as the Gateway, this community of people should have been consulted directly by the planners. Which one would have thought included a ‘Public Meeting’ at the start, not at the end of such a major scheme and plans from NYCC. Has this really happened? Or are we just actors playing a part in a film set for NYC. [North Yorkshire Council].
Isn’t it a bit late in the day to consult residents and their concerns? Is this even acceptable or legal in any democratic process for a Public Consultation?
What is even more concerning is that some of the elected Councillors who have either dismissed this or are perhaps are just not concerned with the people that voted for them.
Rachael Inchboard
I am dismayed that the councillors did not look at the scheme with an open mind and with a view that is relevant to the area. How can a councillor who does not live in the town (Ouseburn), have a say on a scheme that will not affect home in the slightest?
If the wonderful brains that voted this scheme through are so confident that the impact will be negligible, before they put it to the main council, they should put cones along Cheltenham Parade and Station Parade where the single car that will run and then get an independent monitor to look at traffic flows and where congestion occurs.
They should also count the number of cyclists in and around the town centre to see how much money they are spending per cyclist. As someone who drives around Harrogate for a living, the number of cyclists is minimal. Anyone who wants to ride a cycle will already be doing so, so the potential for a huge increase in active cyclists again, will be minimal.
No thought has been given to taxis or private vehicles ferrying around elderly or those with mobility issues or sight impaired.
Please do not waste money for a negative impact on our town!
Rob Young
The biggest mistake of all. One day they will realise. The town is a Ghost Town with more empty shops than nice open ones. Cambridge street and the old market with shops round the outside were busy everyday. Parking is too expensive. Not easy to park and step onto the pavement and pop to buy something.
One Lane is a total disaster - no one will bother with town. PLEASE BRING BACK OUR BEAUTIFUL SPA TOWN.
Anita White
Read More:
- Stray Views: ‘Shame’ on councillors who approved Station Gateway
- £11.2m Station Gateway set to go ahead after crucial Harrogate area vote
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