The Transforming Cities Fund is a major programme of transport infrastructure investment covering Leeds City Region, including the North Yorkshire towns of Harrogate, Selby and Skipton. The projects in these towns were part of a bid for funding from Department for Transport 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 £44.6m programme in North Yorkshire include new or improved cycling and walking infrastructure, improvements to bus and rail stations and improved public spaces.
Harrogate
The £12m 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 proposals 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 three rounds of consultation on the TCF proposals. You can view the information from these consultations on the West Yorkshire Your Voice website. As a result of legal challenge and the impact of inflation on costs we have reviewed the consultation feedback and have developed a scheme that provides benefits for users of active travel and public transport whilst retaining two lanes on Station Parade.
This project consists of:
- pedestrian improvements to Lower Station Parade and Station Parade, including paving, step-free crossing points and signal junction improvements
- a south-bound segregated cycle on Station Parade
- new bus and cycle lane on Lower Station Parade
- improvements at the One Arch underpass
- improvements to the public space at Station Square
- cycle parking facilities at Harrogate Station
Timeline
- Leeds City Region bid approved - March 2020
- Project development - April 2020 to Summer 2024
- Full Business Case approval - March 2024
- Approval to Proceed – January 2025
- Contracts signed – March 2025
- Construction - Spring/Summer 2025 to Summer 2026
- View the Harrogate Full Business Case (pdf / 6 MB)
- Harrogate Transforming Cities Fund concept drawing - North (pdf / 2 MB)
- Harrogate Transforming Cities Fund concept drawing - Centre (pdf / 3 MB)
- Harrogate Transforming Cities Fund concept drawing - South (pdf / 2 MB)
Selby
The £25.4m 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 proposals 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.
As a result of the impact of inflation on costs the TCF will deliver a first phase of work in Selby, consisting of:
- improvements to rail and bus facilities, including refurbishment of the 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 on Station Road and Ousegate
- a new car park and eastern access into the rail station from Cowie Drive
Timeline
- Leeds City Region bid approved - March 2020
- Project development - April 2020 to Summer 2024
- Full Business Case approval - March 2024
- Approval to Proceed – January/February 2025
- Contracts signed – March 2025
- Construction - Spring/Summer 2025 to Summer 2027
- View the Selby Full Business Case (pdf / 8 MB)
Skipton
The £7.2m 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.
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.
As a result of the impact of inflation on costs the TCF will deliver a first phase of work in Skipton, consisting of:
- improving the Black Walk connection from the rail station to the bus station
- replacing Gallows Bridge
- an improved path along the canal to connect with Craven College and the Auction Mart
Timeline
- Leeds City Region bid approved - March 2020
- Project development - April 2020 to Summer 2024
- Full Business Case approval - March 2024
- Approval to Proceed – January 2025
- Contracts signed – March 2025
- Construction - Spring/Summer 2025 to Summer 2026
- View the Skipton Full Business Case (pdf / 6 MB)
Latest developments
In March 2024 the Full Business Case was approved, meaning that the TCF funding has been confirmed.
Keep in touch
We will be producing regular newsletters for each project and this page will be updated with further details.
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You can read about other major transport schemes and plans on our website, including other active travel proposals.