FURTHER work on £5.8m plans to transform Skipton Railway Station and the surrounding area is due to be considered by county councillors next week.

The Skipton scheme is one of three ‘gateway’ plans - with Harrogate and Selby - to go before North Yorkshire County Council Executive on Tuesday (May 25) following a public consultation earlier this year.

Proposals include changes to the station car park to include new cycle and pedestrian access, landscaping and a two way cycleway on Broughton Road. Also, better walking routes from the railway station to the bus station, and also to schools and colleges on other side of the town.

There was a 54 per cent or more ‘positive’ response to all elements of the scheme; there were however concerns about how cycle lanes would work, impact on parking and buses on Broughton Road and on the railway station. Suggestions included improved signage, particularly on Keighley Road.

Councillor Simon Myers, Craven District Council’s lead member for Enterprising Craven, thanked all those who put forward their views to the consultation which he said would be useful in drawing up more detailed proposals.

“This is an important scheme which will make walking, cycling and public transport more attractive for our residents, and will encourage investment in the area, and attract more younger people and families to Craven,” he said.

“It’s crucial that we get these plans right and I look forward to seeing more detailed designs, which will be the subject of further consultation.”

This is the next stage in projects worth £31m across the three towns from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).

The projects are a partnership of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Craven District Council, Harrogate Borough Council and Selby District Council and are scheduled to be complete by 2023.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said public feedback would be used.

“The next steps we are considering take into account the feedback we have received. They take account of concerns raised while providing significant benefits to facilitate and encourage people to cycle and walk. There will, of course, be further consultation on detailed proposals before final decisions are taken.”

A report summarising all consultation responses is being prepared by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is expected to be available later in May.

Further public consultation will take place later this year says the county council

Following the development of detailed designs, a final business case will be prepared, including the outcome of further consultation, before approval is sought to implement the finalised designs.