Revised £44.6m Station Gateway schemes to secure backing

Multi-million pound projects to transform the centres of Harrogate, Selby and Skipton are to receive final funding approval.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority will be asked to approve the full business cases at its meeting on Thursday 14 March, bringing the total award to £38.3m with additional funding provided by North Yorkshire Council.

The Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) projects, which are due to cost a total of £44.6m to enhance access to transport hubs in all three towns, have already been approved by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Executive member for highways and transport at North Yorkshire Council, Councillor Keane Duncan, 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.”

The £12.1m Harrogate scheme reflects the revised focus agreed by the council’s executive in November.

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.

It will also see public realm improvements to One Arch and Station Square, and new cycle parking at the railway station.

Subject to Combined Authority approval, construction is due to start in September and will take one year.

The revised £25m Selby scheme is focused on improving pedestrian and cycling access along Station Road and Ousegate, the new station access and car park to the east, along with improvements to the station building and the new plaza entrance into Selby Park.

Other elements, including the connection to Portholme Road, junction alterations at The Crescent and wider landscaping plans for Selby Park, would be brought forward as subsequent phases.

Construction is due to start at the end of September, with completion due for late autumn 2026.

The revised £7.2m Skipton project will deliver the canal path connection from the railway station to the Cattle Mart and college, and improve the walking route to the bus station, along Black Walk, including the replacement of Gallows Bridge.

Improvements to the railway station car park would be brought forward at a later date.

North Yorkshire Council says it hopes to appoint a contractor in July, with construction starting in September, lasting until June next year.