FAQs
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.
Why are you no longer proposing cycle lanes on Broughton Road?
Whilst our proposals were generally positively received during the first consultation, significant concern was raised in respect of the proposed cycle lanes, notably the alignment which required crossing Broughton Road twice. Due to constraints on the routes including taxi ranks, flood walls and supermarket entrances, it was not possible to realign the proposed routing to remove the need to cross Broughton Road and to negotiate the pinch point of Belmont Bridge. We have therefore decided to focus the design proposals on improved footways alongside the package of pedestrian crossings, narrower carriageway and potential for a 20mph speed limit along Broughton Road, to make it a more attractive route for pedestrians and on road cycling.
When will the 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 commence the build phase once the project has been formally approved. We will work closely with the contractor to make sure that the impact on all users, residents and businesses is minimised, 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)
What will be the impact on Taxi operations?
Our designs maintain taxi facilities at the railway station, bus station and Swadford Street.
Why are you proposing to create two new crossings on Broughton Road when there is already a crossing close to B&M Home Store?
We think there is demand for two crossings on this stretch of Broughton Road and have indicated where we think these should be, and we welcome your thoughts on these suggestions as part of this consultation.
You are proposing electric vehicle charging points at the railway station - will drivers of electric vehicles have to pay to use the charging points?
Across the UK different organisations take a different approach to managing electric vehicle charging points. There has been a huge increase in the number of people driving and buying electric vehicles and the environmental benefits are well known. The decision as to how these spaces will be managed has not yet been made. We would welcome your feedback on the principle of installing such facilities outside the railway station in the first instance.
Skipton is a historic market town - how will the scheme ensure it will not spoil the town's character?
Our designs will remain as sympathetic as possible to the existing townscape, and we feel that encouraging more walking will help reduce traffic and the noise, pollution and safety issues associated with it. We are proposing changes and change is sometimes polarising - you will each have different opinions - some will support the change, and some will not. The point of this consultation is to understand how you feel and the reasons you feel this way. Your feedback will be considered to inform decision making going forward.
Will the scheme include cycle infrastructure in the town e.g. bike racks?
Yes. We have identified a location for a cycle storage facility outside the railway station. We welcome your comments on what other facilities could be provided as part of the scheme.
What will the impact be on trees?
To deliver major changes to the station car park we will need to remove 10 trees in total. The current design has proposed 14 new trees within the station car park and a minimum of 16 new trees proposed elsewhere at the recommended 3:1 ratio (planting three new trees for every one tree removed). At the next design stage, we will consider this more carefully and look to preserve and protect any existing trees wherever possible. We have identified opportunities to plant lots of new trees across the scheme, particularly on Broughton Road and Swadford Street. We are asking for your thoughts on whether minimal tree loss is acceptable.
How will the proposed trees and shrubs along Broughton Road & Swadford Street affect pedestrian and vehicle movement?
There will be no impact on pedestrian and vehicle movement as most of the trees and shrubs are proposed within areas where the footpath has been widened. The intention is to give priority to people on foot and make it a more pleasant and green environment for all users. We welcome your thoughts on this.
What about the link between TCF and the Heritage Action Zone on Coach Street?
We would like to know how you think this Transforming Cities Fund scheme aligns with the proposed Skipton Heritage Action Zone work on Coach Street and Victoria Square.
Although they are separate schemes with differing funders, priorities, and timescales, both the Transforming Cities Fund and Heritage Action Zone project teams are working together to ensure that any works on Swadford Street and Coach Street align regarding layout, materials, and street furniture.
About Transforming Cities Fund (TCF)
- 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 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, walking infrastructure and new Park and Rides.
What 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, 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 DfT’s TCF 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.