North Yorkshire: Funding for £44.6m transport plan set for approval

The projects include £25m for improved pedestrian access in Selby

A £44.6m scheme to transform the centres of Harrogate, Selby and Skipton is set to receive final funding approval.

The project aims to improve access to transport hubs in the three towns, with the majority of the money coming from the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).

Fund administrators, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will be asked to approve the £38.3m grant on Thursday.

The remainder of the money will come form North Yorkshire Council.

The schemes have undergone a number of alternations since first being announced, but Keane Duncan, the authority's executive member for highways and transport, said they would be "transformative".

"After cross-party discussions, there has been significant change to the schemes, particularly in Harrogate, with the most controversial elements no longer moving forward," he said.

"We will soon begin preparatory work ahead of construction starting."

The £12.1m Harrogate scheme includes pedestrian improvements on Station Parade, a bus lane from Bower Road into the bus station and a south-bound segregated cycle lane.

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

In Selby, £25m will be spent 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.

The schemes aim to improve pedestrian and cyclist access to transport hubs

The revised £7.2m project in Skipton 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, the council said.

Work on all three schemes is expected to begin in September if approved on Thursday.