A cycleway looks set to be built on Harrogate’s Station Parade as part of the reduced £11.2 million Station Gateway scheme.
Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council‘s executive member for highways and transport, said today the full business case for the scheme had been submitted to West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
He said it included a southbound cycleway on the same side of the road as the bus station, and maintaining two lanes of traffic.
The details have not been released but the decision to keep two lanes of traffic and build a cycleway raises questions about the future of the taxi rank and loading bay on the other side of Station Parade.
The taxi rank
The loading bay
The council scrapped its previous proposals, which included reducing some of Station Parade to single lane and part-pedestrianising James Street, after admitting its plans were legally flawed.
The original scheme was hailed as a key active travel scheme that would be part of a cycle route to Cardale Park so its abandonment disappointed cyclists.
The revised scheme includes better coordinated traffic signals, footways and crossings, public realm improvements to areas including the One Arch tunnel, a bus lane and a southbound cycleway along Station Parade.
Cllr Duncan, who has been chosen to represent the Conservatives in the York and North Yorkshire mayoral election on May 2, said:
“This represents a significant cross-party effort and many hours of discussions.
“While there has been inevitable compromise, there is encouraging agreement on key elements of the revised scheme which takes us closer to securing £11 million of investment for Harrogate.
“Station Parade will remain two lanes, with no pedestrianisation of James Street.”
Cllr Keane Duncan
He added the revised plan “delivers key benefits to all road users”, adding:
“We now standby for approval of the business case before construction can begin, hopefully later this year.
“There will be further public engagement and consultation on the detail of the plan in coming months.”
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Persistent vandalism threat to shops on Harrogate’s Bower Street
Two shop owners on Harrogate’s Bower Street have said they feel a sense of helplessness in the face of anti-social behaviour and vandalism that is blighting trade.
Doe Bakehouse and Jarfull have both called the police multiple times to report vandalism, fighting and anti-social behaviour.
They say the empty shop in between their premises is often full of people drinking, playing music and sometimes getting violent. Litter is common too.
Doe Bakehouse had its front seating area covered in mud and concrete last weekend.
The shop has previously had its door smashed and often has litter thrown into the seating area.
Owner Evie Jackson said after the incident it had become a “frequent target” and that she planned to close the shop and just fulfil online pre-orders from the premises. She said:
“We deal with antisocial behaviour constantly due to issues on the street and we are at a loss with what can be done.”
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The shops are situated between the One Arch tunnel and Harrogate Homeless Project.
Rebecca Lodge, who owns Jarfull, which promotes sustainable shopping, said she had called the police many times to report fights and anti-social behaviour. She said:
“Next door is empty so people just hang around, drinking and being a bit rowdy. I’ve not had any issues as such but it’s caused issues in that people are put off coming because it can be quite intimidating having eight people sat there drinking. I’ve had to call the police a few times for fighting but generally it’s just drinking.
“Being in here can be intimidating and it’s tricky because sometimes I think it would be better off if we had the shop somewhere else because I’m in no doubt people are put off coming this end of town but then customers love that they can park right outside.”