The Harrogate Station Gateway project is to proceed, with authorisation given to engage contractors who will build the infrastructure.
The decision was taken at a North Yorkshire Council (NYC) Executive meeting on 18th November 2025.
A separate meeting the day before considered Traffic Regulation Orders connected with the scheme.
Purpose of the Transforming Cities Fund
The officer’s report (para 3.1) to the meeting reminded Councillors of the purpose of the Transforming Cities Fund. In Harrogate, it ‘aims to deliver improved transport infrastructure to support modal shift towards more sustainable travel such as walking, cycling and using public transport in the vicinity of Harrogate Rail Station’.
It notes (para 3.4) that the legal challenge against the scheme failed, and the High Court judge refused permission to appeal. The claimant is now seeking permission to appeal from the Court of Appeal.
The report goes on to say that:
- there is an outflow of young people from Harrogate
- there’s a decline in car ownership among the younger cohort in the UK, driven by increasing costs
- six of the Lower Super Output Areas within Harrogate District are among the 33% most deprived areas in the country
Harrogate Station Gateway aims to enhance access for working age people to opportunities within the town and beyond ‘through tackling first and last mile connectivity issues – particularly for those who do not own a car’.
That was the theory at the outset, at least, before the sustainable transport elements of the scheme were diluted, and the council made it increasingly about “traffic flow” – with Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation traffic signals now planned on the A61.
York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority is paying for the ‘traffic throughput’ element of the scheme (para 4.11).
Linking Station Gateway Cycle Infrastructure to Other Facilities
The report says:
‘Importantly, the scheme links to a wider strategic plan of active travel interventions: to the north and east towards Bilton, Starbeck and Knaresborough via the Nidderdale Greeway and Beryl Burton Way; and to the west via Victoria Avenue and Otley Road’. (para 4.5)
Again, that may be the theory, but it’s not the practice.
We have asked how Station Gateway is going to link to plans for Victoria Avenue, and there is no answer.
The next link on that route after Victoria Avenue is Beech Grove, where the council had a really good cycling scheme but ripped it out.
NYC had funding and a design for “Phase 2” of Otley Road Cycleway, but abandoned it.
A Specific Design Point
We have asked that early release for cyclists be included at the junction between Lower Station Parade and Station Parade.
This would enable people on bikes to get away ahead of buses turning left into the bus station. It would help avoid the risk of cyclists being crushed by buses.
NYC’s argument against this (para 6.14 and 6.15) is that because the Advanced Stop Zone at the top of Lower Station Parade doesn’t meet the standards in national Cycle Infrastructure Design guidance, they can’t put in early release.
This is completely nonsensical.
If they were genuinely concerned about early release not being good enough to meet standards in the guidance, they would do something better. Instead they are proposing something worse.
Costs
The costs of the scheme including contingency funds are £14.3 million.
Councillor Comments
Councillors at the Executive meeting expressed their frustration at the ongoing legal challenges to Harrogate Station Gateway.
Next Steps
Approval to Proceed is expected to be given by funders West Yorkshire Combined Authority on 4th December 2025.
Contractors are expected to start work in January 2026; North Yorkshire Highways will be the contractor.
Scheme completion is anticipated to be September 2027.