Talks begin on £2.5m town transport network overhaul

Among the proposals is a £750,000 scheme to semi-pedestrianise a section of the A61 running through the town centre and only allow buses and taxis to travel on it.

It is hoped the changes would pave the way for a major interchange to be built linking the rail and bus stations.

The plans are part of 28 transportation strategies being developed and funded by the county council across North Yorkshire.

County Councillor Jim Clark, who is also the Cabinet member for transport, planning and economic development at Harrogate Council, said: “This is very exciting for the town.

“There are a number of strategies that are being developed across North Yorkshire but this is certainly one of the biggest. This will help develop a new transport interchange with shops, offices and houses that would totally transform this part of town.”

The chief executive of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Brian Dunsby, said the organisation backed the plans to semi-pedestrianise Station Parade and divert traffic onto Cheltenham Mount before looping around and joining the A61.

Other works are also planned including the introduction of one-way routes in some town centre roads, a new cycle route in Knaresborough, improved pedestrian crossings and an action-plan to address Air Quality Management Areas including Bond End, Knaresborough.

Transport campaigners have petitioned for several years to ease the traffic on Harrogate’s notoriously congested commuter routes.

The consultation opens tomorrow and runs until April 12.

Coun Clark says it is hoped the plans for Station Parade will be submitted in 2012, with the more minor schemes in the strategy implemented by the end of the year.

Proposals for the Harrogate interchange are expected to go before planners by the end of the year.

For more information on the public consultation, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/harrogatetransport from tomorrow.