Next steps outlined for town’s ?11m Station Gateway scheme …

Ambitious plans for a £11.2m scheme to transform central Harrogate and provide easier access to the town are set to be submitted, paving the way for construction to begin later this year.

The Station Gateway project plans to make the area around Harrogate’s rail and bus stations more attractive and improve accessibility into the town centre by enhancing walking, cycling and bus infrastructure.

The project is part of a £42m Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) investment within North Yorkshire, which will also see the station gateways in Selby and Skipton enhanced.

At a meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s executive on Tuesday, May 30, members will be asked to approve the submission of the full business case for the Harrogate scheme to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Executive member for highways and transport, Councillor Keane Duncan, said: “The Harrogate scheme represents a landmark investment, aiming to rejuvenate the town centre, support businesses and encourage people to travel more sustainably.

“The recent area committee vote showed significant, cross-party support for the scheme from local councillors.

“The majority recognised the importance of securing this investment and the transformative impact the project could have.

“We have responded to councillors’ feedback by pledging to review the Odeon roundabout design prior to final submission and to consider key junctions outside of the scope of the Gateway project (Ripon Road/King’s Road/Cheltenham Parade) to further limit congestion.

“The full business case submission would represent a huge step forward for the scheme, enabling us to stay on track to start work in winter 2023.”

A key element of the plans is a revised road lay-out on Station Parade. The northern end would be made one-way southbound to provide space for a two-way segregated cycle route and bus lane to facilitate quicker entry into the bus station.

It would see the pedestrianisation to the eastern section of James Street in line with Cambridge Street, as well as alterations to the East Parade roundabout to improve cycle connectivity.

Public realms would be transformed around Station Square and to the north of Victoria multi-storey car park.

A full business case is expected to be submitted in September, with a decision in late autumn.

Work could then begin by the end of the year if the project is approved by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.