Work on the revised Harrogate Station Gateway is set to begin shortly — even though the scheme has been branded “poor value for money”.
The project has been ‘de-scoped’ after North Yorkshire Council admitted its previous plans, which included pedestrianising part of James Street and reducing a stretch of Station Parade to single lane traffic, were legally flawed.
A council media release today gave the cost of the scheme as £12.1 million — up on the previous figure of £11.2 million.
The council is contributing £1.1 million and the remainder is from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which is being administered through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The combined authority is expected to approve the full business case next week. But a report ahead of the meeting said a value for money assessment of the scheme had classed it as “poor value for money“.
It said this was “largely because of increase in scheme costs combined with a reduced scope, with the scheme to mainly disbenefit highway users and retain modest walking, cycling, and bus benefits, in line with the funding objectives”.
Today’s council media release included details of the revised scheme. It said:
“It will see pedestrian improvements along Station Parade, including raised crossings and signal junction improvements, a bus lane from Bower Road into the bus station and a south-bound segregated cycle lane. Station Parade will remain two lanes and there will be no changes to James Street.
“The scheme will also see public realm improvements to One Arch and Station Square, and new cycle parking at the railway station.”
But the actual plans have not been made public.
The combined authority is expected to agree to approve downgraded schemes in Selby and Skipton as well as Harrogate next week.
Keane Duncan
Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transport and Conservative mayoral candidate for North Yorkshire, said:
“We welcome the combined authority’s proposal to support the transformative, revised schemes in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton.
“The plans have been revised to ensure we focus on the elements which gathered the most public support.
“After cross-party discussions, there has been significant change to the schemes, particularly in Harrogate, with the most controversial elements no longer moving forward.
“We will soon begin “preparatory work ahead of construction starting. This is a very exciting time for the regeneration of all three town centres.”
Today’s media release said subject to combined authority approval, “construction is due to start in September and will take one year”.
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