Shopping Objections to Harrogate Station Gateway

At the recent council meeting about Harrogate Station Gateway, a number of public speakers opposed the project.

One of the objections raised was that the motor car is the most practical means of transport for a day out shopping in Harrogate; it would be difficult to cycle home with a load of parcels.

These are clearly sincerely-held views, but I don’t feel that they add up to a convincing case against Station Gateway for the following reasons.

1) Harrogate Will Still Be Accessible by Car

Harrogate Station Gateway involves a reallocation of space from motor vehicles to active travel, in accordance with government policy. Station Parade is to be reduced from a dual carriageway to one lane for cars.

On the other hand, cars won’t be banned from the town centre – people will still be able to drive in and park.

At the meeting, NYC officer Richard Binks explained that the scheme involves the loss of 40 parking spaces in total, or 0.6% of the town centre total of 6,789 (excluding Asda and Waitrose).

Currently on-street parking is 86% full at the busiest times (Saturdays), and the Victoria multi-storey is generally at only 50% of its capacity.

2) The Town Centre Has to Work for Everyone

If local traders or property owners say that people spending the day shopping in Harrogate as a leisure activity are important to the town, I believe them.

But such shoppers are not the only people who need to access the town centre.

Some people need to get to the station to go to Leeds or York for education or work. The express purpose of the Transforming Cities Fund is to enable them to do that by sustainable means.

Others go to town for errands, such as a food shop at the supermarket or visiting the optician or the dentist. They often don’t need the carrying capacity of a car, and active travel is viable – provided it’s safe enough.

I make nearly all of my visits to town by bike or on foot. There are some trips that are not best made by bike, but that still leaves lots that are.

Why should access to the town centre be based entirely around the needs of generally wealthier and older people who drive to Harrogate to shop for the day?

It shouldn’t. Harrogate should cater for everyone including the young, who may not be able to drive, and the less well-off.

3) The Elderly and People with Disabilities

The argument was also made that cars and taxis are essential to the elderly and people with disabilities.

Town centre changes certainly ought not to disadvantage anyone with impaired mobility. I think we have to trust the scheme designers to ensure that provision is maintained or improved.

It’s fair to say, too, that some people who struggle to walk can use cycles as mobility aids; and in the Netherlands where there are networks of cycle tracks, people can and do ride mobility scooters on them.

Summary

Some people who see themselves primarily as motorists are upset by the prospect of the changes contained in the Station Gateway scheme.

When you look at the proposals in detail, though, it’s clear that they represent modest but positive change. They won’t prevent people from driving, but they will provide far better facilities for non-drivers.

We should ask those people who don’t believe they will benefit personally from the changes to have the generosity of spirit to let the rest of us get the infrastructure we need to be safe.