The Transforming Cities Fund is a major programme of transport infrastructure investment covering Leeds City Region delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Providing an accessible, attractive and cleaner alternative to car journeys is at the heart of the programme. The overall aims of the programme are to:
- provide more accessible, affordable and attractive greener transport options
- connect people to economic and education opportunities
- happier and healthier communities for the future
The projects in North Yorkshire include new or improved cycling and walking infrastructure, bus and rail stations and public spaces. You can read about the projects on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.
Harrogate
The £10.9m Transforming Cities Fund project aims to boost access to Harrogate’s rail and bus stations for people walking and cycling. It should improve access across and within the town centre and the north of Harrogate, as well as better connecting people to retail and business opportunities, healthcare, employment and new housing developments. These schemes support regeneration plans in the Harrogate town centre.
The project consists of:
- changing the road space along Station Parade to provide space for bus priority and a new cycleway, including reducing one lane for vehicles
- improvements to the One Arch underpass
- improvements to the public space at Station Square
- partial pedestrianisation of James Street
Read latest business case Harrogate Rail Station Gateway.
The proposals have developed following consultation about congestion in Harrogate and Knaresborough in 2019 when feedback showed that people strongly supported introducing sustainable travel measures (walking, cycling and public transport). Since then we have held two rounds of consultation on the TCF proposals in March and October 2021. You can view the information from these consultations on the Your Voice website.
You can read about other major transport schemes and plans in Harrogate, including other active travel proposals.
Selby
The £22m Transforming Cities Fund project will place Selby Rail Station at the heart of new housing and employment developments through cycling and walking routes to the town centre and housing sites.
The project consists of:
- improvements to rail and bus facilities, including a new rail station building frontage
- a new public space in front of the rail station and new entrance into Selby Park, providing a new path through to the town centre and Abbey
- new and upgraded walking and cycling routes, including a direct link from the station to Portholme Road
- a new car park and eastern access into the rail station from Cowie Drive
- a new public space on the former Ousegate wharf
The proposals have developed following three public consultations in September 2019, March 2021 and October 2021. You can read about the September 2019 consultation (pdf / 7 MB) and the 2021 consultations on the Your Voice website, including Consultation Outcome Reports for all three.
Read the latest business case Selby Station Gateway.
You can read about other major transport schemes and plans in Selby, including other active travel proposals.
Skipton
The £5.8m Transforming Cities Fund project will better connect Skipton’s rail and bus stations for people travelling on foot or by bike. It will link Skipton Academy and Craven College, as well as jobs in the financial, engineering and technology sectors, supporting future employment growth.
The project consists of:
- improvements to the rail station entrance, forecourt and public space
- better footpaths along Broughton Road
- improving the Black Walk and Gallows Bridge connection from the rail station to the bus station
- an improved path along the canal to connect with Craven College and the Auction Mart
We held two rounds of consultation on the TCF proposals in March and October 2021. You can view information from the Skipton consultations on the Your Voice website.
Read the latest business case Skipton Rail Station Gateway.
You can read about other major transport schemes and plans in Craven, including other active travel proposals.
Next steps
We continue to develop the designs for each project. It is intended to submit Full Business Cases for each project in winter 2022/23 for approval to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. This will allow the projects, with a total investment of £42m to begin construction in 2023.
Keep in touch
We will be producing regular newsletters for each project and this page will be updated with further details.