As part of almost £50 million of investment, North Yorkshire Council is transforming public spaces in towns across the county.
With funding coming through the Transforming Cities Fund, £44.6 million is being invested into a series improvements in Selby, Harrogate and Skipton. The Transforming Cities Fund is contributed to by the Department for Transport and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, aiming to offer communities an attractive and accessible alternative to car journeys.
The aims at the very heart of the scheme are:
- Provide a more accessible, affordable and attractive option for transport
- Connect communities to economic and education opportunities
- Make communities happier and healthier for the future
The most recent of these projects to be shared with the public, is the £11 million project in Harrogate that will see public space improvements, as well as developments to transport links in the town. This will be done through additional cycle parking near to the bus and railway stations, promoting cleaner transit for communities, alongside additional developments that will make the centre of the town more appealing.
By improving these spaces and links, residents and visitors will be connected better with retail, business, healthcare, housing and employment opportunities.
The development is currently consulting on the Traffic Regulation Order, which is part of the statutory process and requires formal signoff by the Department for Transport and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority ahead of work beginning towards the end of this year.
Executive Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:
“We have listened to public views and worked extensively on a cross-party basis with local councillors to revise the Gateway Plan.
“The original scheme has been reviewed following this feedback, the Station Parade remaining open to two lanes of traffic and with no pedestrianisation of James Street.
“It represents a proposal that is deliverable and with significant benefits for all transport users: motorists, cyclists, public transport passengers and pedestrians.
“The scheme hopes to deliver high-quality public realm improvements to transform this key area of the town centre…”
The projects in Selby and Skipton will be use £25.4 million and £7.2 million of investment respectively, with improvements ranging from better facilities at public transport hubs, upgraded active transport links to urban spaces, new public spaces, and connections to education centres.
Image credit: iStock
