Town centre transformation to start in new year

Work on a multimillion-pound redevelopment of Harrogate town centre is due to begin in the new year after contractors were appointed by North Yorkshire Council.

The Harrogate Station Gateway scheme, aimed at improving access to the town's railway station for pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers, was first announced in 2022, but has since faced opposition.

Some residents and businesses claimed the end result would not justify the disruption and expense, but the latest legal challenge to the plans was rejected by the Court of Appeal in March.

Malcolm Taylor, the council's executive member for highways and transport, said the scheme represented a "significant" investment in the town centre.

The £13.4m Transforming Cities Fund project would be carried out by NY Highways, a commercial company set up by the authority in 2021, the council said.

The scheme includes the redevelopment of One Arch and Station Square, improved traffic signals, a bus lane, a southbound cycle lane on Station Parade, new paving for pedestrians and cycle parking at Harrogate Station.

There would also be improvements to traffic signals on the A61, North Yorkshire Council said.

Construction work had previously been given the go-ahead by the authority last November, with work due to start this year and be completed by autumn 2027.

After the Court of Appeal ruled earlier this year in favour of North Yorkshire Council when the Get Away campaign group had appealed against parts of the project, the authority said it was working with partners to secure the necessary funding and agreements.

Taylor said the work would not now begin before 2027, to "avoid impacting businesses over the busy trading period" and to reduce disruption.

"Before and throughout the programme, we will be talking with local businesses to explain what is happening and listen to them," he said.

"We understand that any scheme of this scale can raise questions, particularly around how it will affect trade, so those ongoing discussions are important."

Discussions would include drop-in sessions and visiting businesses directly, the council added.

It was hoped the work would be completed by autumn 2028, a North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.