FAQs
- Changes are proposed to the Albert Street/Station Parade/Station Bridge junction to balance the flow of traffic with enhanced crossings for people walking and cycling
- Two-lanes for general traffic would remain on Station Parade (southbound) between Albert Street and Victoria Avenue
- We have proposed one-way cycle lanes be delivered on both sides of Station Parade in this location
- We hope to be able to retain most of the on-street parking including the existing Blue Badge parking
- There are no plans to change the location, size or function of the existing bus stops and lay-bys
- Parking has been retained outside Prince Albert Row including space for loading and disabled parking
Are these the final designs?
No. These plans are at a preliminary design stage. Following this consultation, we will consider the feedback received and will complete the final detailed designs for implementation.
When will construction start and end?
We currently expect construction to start in 2022 and finish in 2023. We will be appointing a construction contractor in the coming weeks to undertake early engagement – this means inputting into the detailed designs and planning the construction phase of the project in more detail. The contractor will only start the build phase once the project has been formally approved. We will work closely with the contractor to make sure that the impact is minimised for everyone, including residents and businesses, but it is inevitable there will be some disruption. We will work closely with those most affected to ensure all works are done with the minimum possible impact.
How will the proposals benefit people with disabilities or who experience other access and use-ability challenges?
Wherever possible we want to help people with disabilities to be able to access town centres and make full use of the public transport network more easily and safely. We have proposed new safe crossing facilities and a range of other features to help improve access. However, to accommodate some of the proposals we have also proposed changes to taxi-related facilities, parking, and traffic flows, which may have some impact on people’s existing travel habits. We want to understand how you feel about these updated proposals and the reasons you feel this way. The feedback from this consultation will help inform the next design stage. Moving forwards, we will continue to engage people with disabilities, and groups which represent people with access and use-ability challenges. In this way we can ensure the designs meet the needs of local people and comply with all relevant industry best practice, government-issued guidance, and legal requirements such as the Disability Discrimination Act. We can provide copies of the materials presented as part of the consultation in braille, large print and audio format on request. Call North Yorkshire County Council: 01609 780780 or email: TransformingCities@northyorks.gov.uk (External link)
Why are you proposing to remove a lane on Station Parade to improve cycling and walking facilities?
Removing a lane on Station parade allows us to use the space for the provision of improved walking and cycling facilities. We are responding to the community requests through the Harrogate Congestion Study consultation (2019) to implement improved walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure. Installing cycle routes that comply with government guidance means we must carefully identify where space is available and Station Parade provides a key connection to the town centre, Harrogate Railway Station and Harrogate Bus Station.
What could the changes mean for residents and businesses on Station Parade between Albert Street and Victoria Avenue?
The changes are focused on a relatively small part of the wider town centre. Why are you not proposing more radical and or wider reaching change?
The project has a finite budget and the Department for Transport requires that the Transforming Cities Fund schemes are completed by March 2023. A clear focus and requirement of the funding is that it should be used to make it easier and safer for people to use active and sustainable travel modes, such as walking, cycling and public transport, and to make it easier for people to connect their journeys. The proposals are deliberately focussed on provision of better walking and cycling routes and improved accessibility between the bus and rail stations and the town centre.
Is there demand for cycle lanes in the town centre?
To tackle congestion across Harrogate we need to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to enable people to make walking, cycling or public transport their first choice for journeys. Currently in Harrogate there are no cycle routes that continuously link from residential areas to major destinations such as the town centre, Cardale Park and Hornbeam Park and we are working towards putting in cycle routes to enable cycling to be an option for everyone. Evidence from elsewhere in the UK and around the globe suggests that when cycling facilities are available more people will choose to cycle. In some cases, this may mean people deciding to leave their car at home.
What impacts will the scheme have on congestion in the town centre?
We have undertaken traffic modelling on these latest designs, which indicates that the current network would continue to operate effectively. There could be a small increase in average journey times across the town centre – the busiest part of the day is the afternoon peak and in this worst-case scenario, average journey times across the town centre could increase by 53 seconds - at other times of day this would be much less. The traffic modelling does not consider any benefit from those who may change from private car journeys to walking and cycling. We are seeking to retain a balance, where it is still possible to drive through and park in the town centre for those who need to, whilst making it easier for those who can, to make shorter journeys by active and sustainable transport, such as walking, cycling and public transport, and in this way help to reduce congestion.
Will the scheme make air quality worse?
We believe the designs will lead to an improvement in air quality through removing traffic from James Street and enabling a shift towards less car use and more use of public transport, walking, and cycling. Air quality modelling will be undertaken on the final designs to measure the overall impact.
How many trees will be lost by the proposals?
The proposals will be subject to change as the scheme develops. We estimate that approximately 3 trees and the planting at Station Gardens would need to be removed. Across the scheme, we are planting more than 20 trees along streets and at the station plaza. These additional trees will help to improve air quality and make streets look more attractive.
What will be the impact on taxi parking and operations?
The scheme retains and improves the existing taxi rank on Station Parade and additionally provides accessible taxi space on the rail station side of Station Parade. To accommodate the proposed improvements to James Street, the taxi rank there would be removed.
What will be the impact on Blue Badge parking?
The total number of blue badge spaces within the scheme area will remain the same – it is necessary to remove two blue badge spaces from James Street but more blue badge spaces are provided on Station Parade and Albert Street.
How many parking spaces are being lost?
Parking spaces will be removed from the eastern end of James Street and Station Avenue and
on-street parking along Lower Station Parade and Cheltenham Parade will be reduced – we anticipate the overall parking reduction across the entire scheme will be 39 spaces. This represents a very small reduction in the overall number of on street parking spaces in the town centre, which currently stands at 2,800 off-street and 4,000 on-street. Evidence suggests that up to 150 on-street spaces could be removed from the town centre without a detrimental effect on a visitor’s ability to find a convenient space.
What about security, anti-social behaviour and safety?
The proposals will change the look, feel and levels of activity across the scheme area. We hope to create more popular routes to and from the station particularly for people walking and cycling, as well as spaces which more people will want to use more regularly. It is expected that this increase in use by the public will help to address existing anti-social behaviour issues which we are already aware of. We are proposing new lighting features at the station plaza and the One Arch underpass to make these areas more desirable.
What is being proposed in the Station Plaza?
The existing gardens will be removed to open up the space and create a plaza. There will be lots of new seating and tree planting surrounding a water jet fountain feature in the middle. The water jet fountain feature can be switched on and off to accommodate changing weather and to make space for weekly and annual events. There will be an art feature commissioned in the space which visitors will be able to enjoy.
What kind of public art features are proposed for Station Square?
We would look to work with a local artist or group of artists as the scheme develops on a public art strategy and art commission. The aim of new public art is to enhance the quality of the scheme for the enjoyment of everyone and to help create a strong sense of place which attracts visitors and new businesses to Harrogate.
Will the Queen Victoria Jubilee Monument be moved?
No - the Queen Victoria monument will remain in place – the designs have now been developed to complement and enhance the existing monument.
What is the paving going to look like?
Harrogate is a popular tourist destination, known for its high-quality and style. We want to reflect that quality in the surface materials we use by providing a simple but stylish set of paving that can be locally sourced, such as York stone paving, which is in towns across North Yorkshire.
How are you creating a scheme which is fit for the 21st Century?
Our overall strategy for the scheme is focussed on improving access to public transport services and the town centre for people travelling by the most sustainable modes (i.e. walking and cycling). This approach contributes towards tackling some of the great challenges which we are, and will, face as the century progresses, namely climate change, poor air quality and reduced physical activity. In addition to addressing these factors, we’re also looking to incorporate smart technology features into the scheme, such as smart benches with internet access and device charging as well as e-bike charging.
About the Transforming Cities Fund
- Improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people
- Take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads by 2036
- Make 33 million rail journeys easier by improvements to rail stations
- Increase bus, rail, and walking and cycling trips by up to 6%, 4% and 7% respectively by 2036
- Reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1.5% / 15,000 tonnes from car travel by 2036
- Create more than 1,000 jobs and add up to £1 billion to the economy by 2036
- Support connectivity to 650 housing sites and 220 employment sites
What is the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme?
Providing an accessible, attractive and cleaner alternative to car journeys is at the heart of Leeds City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) - a major new programme of transport infrastructure investment secured as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal. The programme will be funded through £317 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) plus local match funding of up to £140 million. In partnership with local authorities, the Combined Authority will deliver transformational infrastructure, which will dramatically improve people’s access to walking, cycling and public transport. It is estimated TCF schemes will improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people, take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads and reduce CO2 emissions from car travel by up to 15,000 tonnes by 2036. Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides.
Which organisations are involved?
The Combined Authority is working in partnership with local authority colleagues from Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York councils on the TCF programme.
What benefits will the TCF programme bring?
It is estimated TCF will:
How is the TCF programme funded?
As part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the DfT’s TCF programme to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario. Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to an additional £140 million. This additional funding will help us deliver more transport improvements, which will benefit communities across West Yorkshire.
Why is this work important? / Why is this money being spent on TCF at this time?
This work is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038. We need to reduce car trips by 21% and increase cycling trips by 2,000%, walking trips by 78%, bus strips by 39% and rail trips by 53% if we are to achieve our ambitious net zero targets in this time frame. The programme will connect people to economic and education opportunities through accessible, affordable, attractive and cleaner transport, boosting productivity and helping to create healthier and happier communities for the future. Through the programme and building on the significant progress already made, we are working in partnership to transform our town and city centres for walking and cycling, improve bus reliability and journey times, and investing in our region to prepare for HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Who will benefit?
Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides. The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.
When do projects get underway?
There are 22 packages of schemes, comprising 35 individual projects, within the overall programme. Different schemes are at different stages, right through from the development of business cases and designs, to gearing up for public consultation, and Halifax Bus Station redevelopment already started on site. Find out more information at: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF (External link)
When will the programme of works be completed?
The schemes funded through the DfT need to be delivered by spring 2023, with schemes financed by local match funding being delivered beyond these timescales.
How is the programme impacted by COVID-19?
To date, there has been minimal impact of the programme as a result of COVID-19. The majority of the projects are at the early stages of development and much of the work required can be carried out virtually. As the schemes move to the next stage of delivery, we will continue to monitor the impact and identify any risks to delivery. We are also looking at best practice ways of delivering public consultations and engagement activity to ensure all members of the community get the opportunity to have their say on TCF schemes during COVID-19. The full implications of COVID-19 on the region, the economy and the transport system are still to be understood and the impact on the Combined Authority’s programmes and schemes to date has been mixed. We are working closely with our local authority partners at every level of our appraisal process to ensure delivery timescales have taken into account the current issues and that each scheme is stress tested to ensure its ongoing viability. In the wake of COVID-19 it is more important than ever to assess the changes to the landscapes of our towns and cities, and the impact on current and future planned schemes, particularly, but not exclusively, those relating to transport. The impact of COVID-19 in relation to travel behaviour into and around towns and cities is assessed as part of each scheme’s appraisal. While public transport patronage is currently lower than pre COVID-19 levels, it remains a priority to invest in public transport infrastructure to both help with economic recovery and to have the required infrastructure in place to respond to an increase in demand post-COVID-19.
As part of West Yorkshire’s devolution deal, £317 million was secured to deliver the Leeds City Region TCF programme but it will cost more than this to deliver the schemes outlined in the bid. What does this mean?
A range of options are being developed as part of each business case to determine the best scheme, which will include a range of options up to the high-cost scenario. As part of the devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) TCF fund to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario. Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain-share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to £140 million.
How does TCF complement other transport infrastructure schemes being delivered across the region?
It will build on the significant investment already made through the Combined Authority’s other programmes, such as the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, Connecting Leeds and CityConnect. Many of the TCF schemes provide enhancements or extensions to the projects being delivered through these programmes, helping to spread the benefits across a wider geography. The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality. For more information about the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund (External link) For more information about Connecting Leeds visit www.leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/connecting-leeds-and-transforming-travel(External link) For more information about CityConnect visit www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk (External link)
Where can I find out more information?
Find out more information about the Transforming Cities Fund programme at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF (External link)
How can I have my say on schemes in my area?
Public consultation and engagement activities are scheduled to take place in 2021. Details of the TCF consultations can be found at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk. You can get in touch with the Combined Authority’s Consultation and Engagement team via YourVoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk (External link), 0113 245 7676 or Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA). Please note that, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the majority of the Combined Authority’s staff are working from home and there will therefore be significant delays in receiving any postal contributions. If you can, please contact the team using another method to ensure a quick response.
How was the bid developed?
The bid was led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with the 10 local authorities across the Leeds City Region. It was developed in two stages, with a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) submitted to the DfT in June 2019. The final bid was submitted to the DfT in November 2019. The bid documents can be found at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF (External link)
Who was the bid developed with?
The bid was developed in partnership with local authorities across the Leeds City Region, including Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York. The bid was also co-developed with the DfT, which provided feedback on the plans as they emerged. In line with other Mayoral Combined Authorities, we are required to feedback on the progress of the programme’s delivery.
How were decisions made around which schemes to include in the bid?
The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality. As part of the bidding process, the Combined Authority was asked to develop a series of schemes, which could be delivered under three different cost scenarios (low, core and high). Each scheme needed to meet the Combined Authority’s priorities, as well as objectives set out by the DfT, such as reducing carbon emissions, and increasing capacity for commuters with better access to employment centres, especially from disadvantaged communities. Schemes put forward by local authorities were scored against the objectives before being reviewed as a programme. Once agreement had been reached between local authority and Combined Authority officers, the programme was signed off by each of the leaders, as well as members of the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee.