A consultation on detailed plans for Harrogate Station Gateway runs from 18th October to 12th November 2021. It follows an earlier consultation on the broader aspects of the scheme, in Spring 2020.
The Harrogate Station Gateway consultation materials include text explanations, plans, and visuals.
Aims and Objectives of the Harrogate Station Gateway Plans
The overall aims and objectives of the Harrogate Station Gateway plans are to reduce general traffic in Harrogate town centre, and to make it easier to walk and cycle to rail and bus services.
Other objectives include:
- a more appealing environment for people walking and cycling by reducing the dominance of cars, with lower speeds, and less noise and pollution
- reducing obstacles for people with disabilities
- a town centre environment that promotes social interaction and encourages people to spend more time there
Detailed Harrogate Station Gateway Plans
The consultation materials divide the scheme area up into two zones, covered by Plan A (to the north) and Plan B (to the south).
Plan A
Cycling plans in the Plan A area include:
- a two-way cycle track on Station Parade (north)
- cycle access through One Arch, with better lighting
- a very short cycle lane at the top of Cheltenham Parade
- a two-way cycle track on Station Parade proper, but which fizzles out into shared use before the junction with Cheltenham Parade
Plan B
Cycling plans in the Plan B area include:
- a two-way cycle track on the east side of Station Parade north of Harrogate Station
- one-way cycle tracks either side of Station Parade between Harrogate Station and Victoria Avenue
- one-way cycle tracks either side of Station Bridge, leading to a Dutch-style roundabout at the top of East Parade
- cycle tracks from the roundabout to Marlborough Road
- cycle tracks a very short distance north on East Parade, which then stop
The Good Elements of the Harrogate Station Gateway Scheme
Overall, we are very positive about this scheme and we support it. The designers have had the courage to take space away from motor vehicles in order to make meaningful improvements for walking and cycling.
Most of the cycle provision is segregated from pedestrians and properly kerb-protected. The plans for a Dutch roundabout at the top of East Parade are exciting.
A Few Disappointing Elements and a Question
Station Parade (North)
With car parking retained on Station Parade (north) it remains very car-dominated.
James Street
The consultation materials explain that the scheme only includes part-time pedestrianisation of James Street, because of the time it would take for the administrative steps to pedestrianise it full time.
Shared Use at Junctions and Crossings
The segregated cycle tracks dissolve into shared use at junctions/crossings including:
- Albert Street/Station Bridge
- Cheltenham Parade
If possible, it would be much better to continue with segregated provision, and that is the standard specified by LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design.
At crossings and junctions, cyclists should not share space used by pedestrians but should be provided with a separate parallel route.
Line from summary principle 2, ltn 1/20 cycle infrastructure design
East Parade
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of all is that the cycle tracks originally proposed for East Parade have been dropped. They are needed, and losing them diminishes the cycling value of this scheme a lot.
Riding north from the Dutch roundabout, the cycle track stops abruptly, and leaves cyclists to rejoin what becomes a two-lane carriageway. Cyclists must immediately move over into the right lane in order to go straight on.
We have suggested that the left lane be made ‘straight on and left turn’, not just ‘left turn’ as it is now. That would mean cyclists going straight on could stay in the left lane. We don’t know whether our suggestion has been included in the plans.
Sustrans’ Comments on the Dutch roundabout
Sustrans have made some comments on the roundabout at the top of East Parade:
- the circulatory carriageway should be narrower, so it is clearly one lane
- entries to the roundabout should be narrowed to one lane (East Parade and North Park Road)
- the roundabout image shows traffic lights at the parallel crossings, where there should be Belisha Beacons
Link to Victoria Avenue
It isn’t obvious how the new cycle tracks on Station Parade will link to Victoria Avenue.
Victoria Avenue will also have cycle tracks, due to be built under Active Travel Fund plans; perhaps the ATF plans will make clear how the two schemes link up.
(Once the Station Gateway scheme is delivered, it will be important to improve other links to it, including from the north/Bilton, and from the south east via Oatlands Drive and Queen Parade).
What are the Widths of the Cycle Tracks?
The widths of the cycle tracks are not specified. What are they?
One-way cycle tracks should be a Desirable Minimum of 2m, plus 20cm where the track runs next to a kerb, and a buffer of 50cm to the road.
The Desirable Minimum width of a two-way cycle track is 3m, plus extra space next to a kerb, and a buffer to traffic.
Sweeping and Maintaining the Cycle Tracks
Leaves and debris are likely to accumulate in the cycle tracks, and in Winter there could be snow and ice.
Chapter 15 of LTN 1/20 covers maintenance of cycle routes, with a typical maintenance programme for off-road routes in Table 15-1. Currently, North Yorkshire’s sweeping and maintenance of cycle routes is very limited or non-existent, but it will be important that a sweeping and maintenance programme is developed.
Similarly, if the cycle tracks are constantly blocked by delivery vehicles, they will be of little value. Preventing their use for loading and illegal parking will be vital.
Secure Cycle Storage
If people are to be persuaded to travel to the station and bus station by bike, including expensive electric bikes, there needs to be secure cycle storage, not just on-street Sheffield stands.
Question 6 of the Survey asks respondents to rank certain features in order of importance, including secure cycle storage. That would be our number 1 priority. You can choose a top 3; other options include a cycle maintenance hub, e-bike charging, benches, and planting and vegetation.
Harrogate Station Gateway Flyover Video
There’s a useful visualisation in this ‘flyover’ video:
Harrogate Station Gateway Events and Consultation Responses
The Harrogate Station Gateway consultation page has details of in-person consultation events at Victoria Shopping Centre, and online events.
The same page has a link where you can respond to the consultation.