North Yorkshire towns' transport projects financially risky, says council

North Yorkshire Council outlined £47.7m transport improvements to Harrogate, Skipton and Selby

A council has warned that transport improvements for three North Yorkshire towns could risk taxpayers' money.

North Yorkshire Council, based in Northallerton, said £47.7m transport improvements to Harrogate, Skipton and Selby would be "transformative".

The developments are backed by the government's Transforming Cities Fund for the area.

But Gareth Dadd, finance chief at the Conservative-led council, said the projects could be financially risky.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the proposals are for:

Harrogate

• £11.2m project

• Improvements to Station Square and One Arch

• Improved access into the bus station

• Improved coordination of traffic signals

Selby

• £28.7m improvements, including:

• Upgrades to pedestrian and cycling access along Station Road and Ousegate

• New station access and car park to the east

• Improvements to the new plaza entrance into Selby Park

Skipton

• £7.8m initiative, including:

• A canal path connection from the railway station to the cattle mart and college

• A walking route to the bus station, including Black Walk

• A replacement Gallows Bridge

Selby would see £28.7m of improvements

The leader of the council's Labour group, Cllr Steve Shaw Wright, said Selby "deserves better" and the proposal was so stripped back that it was a "cheap and cheerful, superficial facelift".

Harrogate Conservative councillor John Mann said plans for the town were also not good enough and failed to tackle traffic issues, particularly with more than 3,000 homes planned for west Harrogate.

In 2022 the council announced £42m DfT money for better walking and cycling routes - such as this in Harrogate

But Mr Dadd warned a 10% over-run to the projects would threaten £5m of taxpayers' money which the council could not mitigate against.

He said: "I'm not saying we shouldn't do it but we have to justify any cost over-run to every member right across this county. At what point can we get off the hook if it all becomes unsustainable?"