People living and working in the Selby, Skipton and Harrogate areas are being invited to help to shape the final look of major schemes to enhance the gateways to the three towns.

Consultations took place earlier this year on the early designs of the schemes, and after consideration of that feedback those designs have been amended. From Monday, 18 October, the public will now be able to comment on the revised proposals. 

This is the next stage in projects worth a total of £42m across Skipton, Harrogate and Selby delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Craven District Council, Harrogate Borough Council and Selby District Council. 

In the three towns, this major package of investment will transform each travel gateway by boosting public transport, encouraging sustainable travel and upgrading the public realm for residents and visitors alike. 

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “We’re delighted to be working with our local authority partners across North Yorkshire on these important schemes, which will make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport, connecting more people to job, training and education opportunities.” 

North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “We listened to the feedback from the consultations earlier this year and have taken that response into account in the further development of the designs. 

“Now, we are keen for residents to tell us how well these revised designs meet the objectives of opening up the towns’ gateways to facilitate and encourage cycling and walking and improve the quality and sense of identity in these locations. People can also help to define the final look of the schemes by giving their views on such details as benches and planting.” 

Feedback on the Selby improvements has influenced the development of the design in a number of ways, including improvements to the accessibility of the rail station and changes to the park proposals to better preserve its existing character. The proposed bridge over the River Ouse has also been removed from the plans. 

Selby District Councillor David Buckle, Lead Executive member for Communities and Economic Development, said: “This next phase in the project has seen the original plans changed following the comments and feedback we received from members of the public.

“We’re now able to give much more detail about our vision for how this part of Selby can be transformed and this is a further opportunity for residents, commuters and businesses to look at the plans and let us know what they think.” 

For the Harrogate scheme, feedback from the earlier consultation has been taken into account when looking at the options for one lane in Station Parade and pedestrianisation of James Street, as well as the detailed layout of Station Square and the balance of parking, loading and taxi space provision within the gateway area. 

Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said: “We want to ensure this multi-million pound Transforming Cities Fund project provides an exciting and attractive gateway to Harrogate town centre that encourages people to use sustainable travel options and helps us achieve our carbon reduction goals. 

“Listening to residents’ feedback provides valuable insight into achieving these aims and I’d like to thank those businesses, residents and visitors who have done so already. 

“Now is the time to further share your comments so that we can focus our attention on the finer details of the scheme, and I’d urge everyone to get involved.” 

In Skipton, the revised design for Broughton Road looks to balance the requirements of pedestrians, cyclists, buses and taxis, and feedback has been considered in the more detailed proposals on landscaping and materials. 

Councillor Simon Myers, Lead Member for Enterprising Craven, said: “I’d like to thank those who took the time to provide feedback for the first consultation about our plans for enhancing walking and cycling routes between Skipton Railway station, Craven College, Skipton bus station and the town centre. 

“We’ve listened and taken the feelings on board and have revised the designs to better suit Skipton, particularly along Broughton Road and Swadford Street. 

“The amended scheme is now ready for public consultation, so please have a look at the new plans and let us know your views.” 

The schemes are being delivered with money from the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which is helping to transform gateways to towns and cities across the region by making it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport. 

The public will be able to hear more about the proposals and ask questions at a series of online events before completing the consultation survey. 

The following online events have been organised:

• Tuesday 19 October, 6pm to 7pm, for the Selby scheme

• Wednesday 20 October, 6pm to 7pm, for the Skipton scheme

• Thursday 21 October, 6pm to 7pm, for the Harrogate scheme

• Thursday 28 October, 6pm to 7pm, for the Harrogate scheme

• Wednesday 3 November, 6pm to 7pm, for the Skipton scheme

• Thursday, 4 November, 6pm to 7pm, for the Selby scheme

From 18 October, go to www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/northyorkshire for the detailed information about each of the schemes, how to join the online events and to complete the survey for your town. The consultation will run until Friday, 12 November, 2021.  

Anyone who has difficulty accessing the information and survey online, or anyone who needs a paper copy, translation or an alternative format can contact North Yorkshire County Council on 01609 780780. 

Following this consultation, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes. It is anticipated that work will begin by mid-2022 and be completed by March 2023.