Work to begin on traffic scheme despite objections

The Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) scheme is aimed at improving Harrogate town centre's public realm

A contractor has been appointed for a £14.3m scheme to renovate the area outside Harrogate station.

North Yorkshire Council gave approval for construction to progress at a meeting on Tuesday, despite a campaign group's legal challenge.

The Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) scheme would see changes to bus station access, a new bus lane on Station Parade and new cycling infrastructure in the town centre.

Some residents and businesses have complained, saying the end result does not justify the disruption and expense, and it would be bad for business.

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for highways and transport, Malcolm Taylor, said: "The scheme has been in the making for around five years, with several rounds of consultation and engagement to produce the final designs.

"We have maintained our commitment to delivering the scheme, which will be key in promoting sustainable travel and public transport options.

"The town centre will become more visibly appealing, ultimately driving economic prosperity through improved access to employment and future investment."

Work is due to begin in the New Year to avoid disruption over the festive period with the scheme due be completed in autumn 2027.

An artist's impression of how the area around Harrogate railway station could look after the work

However, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, opponents of North Yorkshire Council's plans are to take their case to the Court of Appeal.

Campaign group Get Away has been granted permission for a review of a High Court decision to dismiss its legal challenge against traffic regulation orders (TROs) made for the project.

The group, which was launched by several Harrogate businesses including A&E Baines Limited and Hornbeam Park Developments, claimed the TROs were issued illegally.

Steven Baines, spokesperson for the campaign group, said: "The council has not undertaken a thorough and transparent process with regard to the Harrogate Gateway scheme – far from it.

"The judge got the decision wrong to dismiss our legal challenge and the Court of Appeal's move to grant us a review of the judge's ruling, on the basis that our case has real prospects of success, says a lot about what we are fighting for and how the council has conducted itself."

The council acknowledged the legal challenge but said work would continue, as the previous challenge was dismissed on all five grounds.

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