High Court dismisses challenge to £12m Harrogate project
Station Gateway, a £12m programme to improve access and active travel around Harrogate’s public transport hubs can proceed, after a ruling in North Yorkshire Council’s favour.
Put forward in a revised proposal last summer, the Transforming Cities Fund-backed scheme aims to improve Harrogate town centre’s public realm, provide better access to public transport, and ensure people are connected to economic and education opportunities.
In February, A&E Baines Ltd began legal action to stop the scheme, led by a campaign group called Harrogate Get Away, billed as “a coalition of proud Harrogate business operators and residents united against North Yorkshire Council’s disastrous Station Gateway scheme” – a project the group said will “threaten livelihoods”.
Among the group’s activities was obtaining information from North Yorkshire Council on empty properties under the Freedom of Information Act, stating this April that the town centre had not recovered from the Covid lockdowns and traders would struggle to bear further pressure.
At the heart of the move to stop the project was a claim that the required Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) were unlawful, and that the local authority had failed to consider the full impact of the proposals or consult adequately with the public.
Following a two-day High Court hearing, the judge, Christopher Ockelton, ruled wholly in NYC’s favour and dismissed the challenge on all five grounds. The judge also refused permission to appeal the decision.
NYC’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, said: “After many months of uncertainty, we welcome the court’s clear and unequivocal ruling in favour of the council on all five grounds.
“This decision not only vindicates the thorough and transparent process we followed, but also allows us to move forward with confidence.”
The scheme in Harrogate includes the redevelopment of One Arch and Station Square, improved traffic signals, a bus lane, a southbound cycle lane on Station Parade, new paving for pedestrians and cycle parking at Harrogate railway station.
There will also be improvements to traffic signals on the A61 at the junctions of King’s Road and Ripon Road, and King’s Road and Cheltenham Parade. Full details are to be published on the council’s website soon, NYC said.
Plans have already been through changes, with an earlier legal challenge over the part-pedestrianisation of a particular area leading to amendments.
With the outcome of this second legal challenge now in the books, a final report on the scheme is due to go to the council’s executive in October.
The scheme is predominantly funded through the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, looking to back projects that boost accessible, affordable and attractive greener transport options, and connect people to employment.
NYC’s allocation covers £38m, to deliver schemes in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton. Work started in Skipton earlier this summer, with work in Selby set to begin in the autumn.
The Get Away group has been approached for comment.
