Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are these the final designs?
No. These plans are at a ‘feasibility’ or ‘outline’ design stage. This means there is a large amount of work yet to be done around what exact changes will be made and where.
The purpose of this consultation is to inform the next design stage, which represents an opportunity to reflect on feedback. Further engagement will likely be required between now and construction starting. If major changes are proposed, then this will take the form of a second phase of public consultation. It is assumed discussions with key stakeholders will continue throughout the design stage.
When will construction start and end?
We currently expect construction to start in 2022 and finish in 2023.
Once more detailed designs have been produced, we will appoint a contractor who will firm up the construction dates.
We will work closely with the contractor to make sure that the impact on all users, local residents and businesses is minimised, but it is inevitable there will be some disruption.
We will work closely with those most affected to ensure all works are done with the minimum possible impact.
How will the proposals benefit people with disabilities or who experience other access and use-ability challenges?
Wherever possible we want to help people with disabilities access town centres and make full use of the public transport network. We have proposed new safe crossing facilities and a range of other features to help improve access. This being said we have also proposed changes to taxi-related facilities, parking and traffic flows which may impact peoples existing travel habits. We want to understand how people feel about the proposals and why they feel this way. This feedback will inform the next design stage. Moving forwards we would like to engage people with disabilities and groups which represent people with access and use-ability challenges to discuss the types of materials we may want to use, the exact location of safe crossings etc. The design of the schemes will need to meet all relevant industry best practice, government issued guidance and legal requirements such as the Disability Discrimination Act.
We can provide copies of the materials presented as part of the consultation in braille, large print and audio format on request. Call North Yorkshire County Council on: 01609 780780 or email: TransformingCities@northyorks.gov.uk
Will the cycle lanes be segregated or protected from other vehicles? How will this affect access to properties?
In some locations we are proposing two-way or ‘bi-directional’ cycle lanes. In other locations we are proposing one-way cycle lanes. We have also proposed a new number of safe crossings for walking and cycling. The latest government guidance (LTN 1/20) recommends that cycle lanes be protected from other vehicles with a vertical kerb (or similar) and where possible this is the approach we will take. Paving and other materials can be used to clearly communicate to road users what space is for cyclists and what is for vehicles.
In some locations, such as along Belmont Bridge there is not enough space to provide cycle lanes at all and cyclists will have to share the road space with other vehicles. The designs as presented are still at a very early stage and there is a lot of design work left to do before construction can take place. We want to gather feedback on the principle of cycle lanes in certain locations and then open up a dialogue with stakeholders, residents, road users and local businesses beyond this to inform the next design stage.
The plans show cycle lanes running outside properties and creating an interface with existing vehicles access points. The next design stage will involve looking at these interfaces in more detail but in the meantime, we welcome comments from property owners and occupiers on the concept of cycle lanes in these locations.
What will the impact be on taxi operations?
We will work closely with taxi drivers and the taxi trade on plans for where taxis are stored and where passengers are picked up and dropped off.
Our designs maintain taxi facilities at the railway station and bus station. The proposals for Swadford Street would be removed and reallocated to create cycle lanes.
We want people’s thoughts on this to find a solution which works for everyone.
Why are you proposing to create two new crossings on Broughton Road when there is already a crossing close to B&M Home Store?
We think there is demand for two crossings on this stretch of Broughton Road and have indicated where we think these should be, and we welcome people’s thoughts on these suggestions as part of the consultation. One of the new crossings will be designed for walking and cycling, helping bridge one-way and two-way cycle lanes.
You are proposing electric vehicle charging points at the railway station - will drivers of electric vehicles have to pay to use the charging points?
Across the UK different District and County Councils take a different approach to managing electric car charging points. There has been a huge increase in the number of people driving and buying electric vehicles and the environmental benefits are well known.
The decision as to how these spaces will be managed has not yet been made. We would welcome feedback on the principle of such facilities outside the railway station in the first instance.
Why are you not proposing cycle lanes across a wider area for example on the High Street or along Broughton Road west towards the A59?
The cycle lanes proposed have been selected based on their potential to encourage more cycling in Skipton and Craven. The focus is also on providing better cycling links between the railway station and bus station. It is hoped that after these lanes are delivered, we can consider further cycle lanes across Skipton town centre. Any new plans will need more funding and further consultation with the public and decision makers. The purpose of this consultation is to understand how people feel about the proposed cycle lanes.
Skipton is a historic market town - how will the scheme ensure it won't spoil the town's character?
Our designs will remain as sympathetic as possible to the existing townscape and we feel that encouraging more walking and cycling will help reduce traffic and the noise, pollution and safety issues associated with it.
We are proposing changes and change is sometimes polarising. Some will support the change, and some will not. The point of this consultation is to understand how you feel and why you feel this way. The feedback will be used to inform decision making going forward.
Will the scheme include other cycle infrastructure in the town e.g. bike racks?
Yes. We have identified a location for a cycle storage facility outside the railway station. We welcome any comments on what other facilities could be provided as part of the scheme.
Why are we not proposing Black Walk as a cycle route between the rail station and bus station?
We think this route is best suited to walking, but we welcome any views around this. Although people often cycle to and from railway stations it is not as common for people to cycle between railway stations and bus stations. There may not be significant demand for cycle lanes along this route. Additionally, work required to increase the width of the route to an acceptable standard would be complex due to the constrained location next to the railway line. We welcome people’s thoughts.
What will the impact be on trees?
In order to deliver major changes to the station car park we will need to remove some trees, but we do not yet know how many. At the next design stage, we will consider this more carefully and look to preserve and protect any existing trees wherever possible. We have identified opportunities to plant lots of new trees across the scheme (not just outside the station), but these trees will take many years to grow to full size. We are asking for your thoughts on whether minimal tree loss is acceptable.
About Transforming Cities Fund (TCF)
- two new Park & Rides
- one new rail station
- four new foot and cycle bridges
- six new or improved bus stations and interchange hubs
- new high quality cycle routes along six corridors
- bus priority along six key bus routes to create more reliable and faster bus journey times
- 800 new cycle parking spaces
- seven improvements to Rail Station Gateways
- new Real Time Information and improved passenger experience across the network.
- improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people
- take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads by 2036
- make 33 million rail journeys easier by improvements to rail stations
- increase bus, rail, and walking and cycling trips by up to 6%, 4% and 7% respectively by 2036
- reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1.5% / 15,000 tonnes from car travel by 2036
- create more than 1,000 jobs and add up to £1 billion to the economy by 2036
- support connectivity to 650 housing sites and 220 employment sites
What is the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme?
Providing an accessible, attractive and cleaner alternative to car journeys is at the heart of Leeds City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) - a major new programme of transport infrastructure investment secured as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal.
The programme will be funded through £317 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) plus local match funding of up to £140 million.
In partnership with local authorities, the Combined Authority will deliver transformational infrastructure, which will dramatically improve people’s access to walking, cycling and public transport.
It is estimated TCF schemes will improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people, take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads and reduce CO2 emissions from car travel by up to 15,000 tonnes by 2036.
Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides.
Which organisations are involved?
The Combined Authority is working in partnership with local authority colleagues from Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York councils on the TCF programme.
What will be delivered through the TCF programme?
The programme will deliver:
What benefits will the TCF programme bring?
It is estimated TCF will:
How is the TCF programme funded?
As part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the DfT’s TCF programme to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario.
Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to an additional £140 million.
This additional funding will help us deliver more transport improvements, which will benefit communities across West Yorkshire.
Why is this work important? / Why is this money being spent on TCF at this time?
This work is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.
We need to reduce car trips by 21% and increase cycling trips by 2,000%, walking trips by 78%, bus strips by 39% and rail trips by 53% if we are to achieve our ambitious net zero targets in this time frame.
The programme will connect people to economic and education opportunities through accessible, affordable, attractive and cleaner transport, boosting productivity and helping to create healthier and happier communities for the future.
Through the programme and building on the significant progress already made, we are working in partnership to transform our town and city centres for walking and cycling, improve bus reliability and journey times, and investing in our region to prepare for HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Who will benefit?
Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides.
The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.
When do projects get underway?
There are 22 packages of schemes, comprising between 30 and 35 individual projects, within the overall programme.
Different schemes are at different stages, right through from the development of business cases and designs, to gearing up for public consultation, with Halifax Bus Station redevelopment due to start on site in spring 2021.
Find out more information at westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF
When will the programme of works be completed?
The schemes funded through the DfT need to be delivered by spring 2023, with schemes financed by local match funding being delivered beyond these timescales.
How is the programme impacted by COVID-19?
To date, there has been minimal impact of the programme as a result of COVID-19. The majority of the projects are at the early stages of development and much of the work required can be carried out virtually. As the schemes move to the next stage of delivery, we will continue to monitor the impact and identify any risks to delivery.
We are also looking at best practice ways of delivering public consultations and engagement activity to ensure all members of the community get the opportunity to have their say on TCF schemes during COVID-19.
The full implications of COVID-19 on the region, the economy and the transport system are still to be understood and the impact on the Combined Authority’s programmes and schemes to date has been mixed.
We are working closely with our local authority partners at every level of our appraisal process to ensure delivery timescales have taken into account the current issues and that each scheme is stress tested to ensure its ongoing viability.
In the wake of COVID-19 it is more important than ever to assess the changes to the landscapes of our towns and cities, and the impact on current and future planned schemes, particularly, but not exclusively, those relating to transport.
The impact of COVID-19 in relation to travel behaviour into and around towns and cities is assessed as part of each scheme’s appraisal.
While public transport patronage is currently lower than pre COVID-19 levels, it remains a priority to invest in public transport infrastructure to both help with economic recovery and to have the required infrastructure in place to respond to an increase in demand post-COVID-19.
As part of West Yorkshire’s devolution deal, £317 million was secured to deliver the Leeds City Region TCF programme but it will cost more than this to deliver the schemes outlined in the bid. What does this mean?
A range of options are being developed as part of each business case to determine the best scheme, which will include a range of options up to the high-cost scenario.
As part of the devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the DfT’s TCF to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario.
Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to £140 million.
Where can I find out more information?
Find out more information about the Transforming Cities Fund programme at westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF
How can I have my say on schemes in my area?
Public consultation and engagement activities are scheduled to take place in 2021.
Details of the TCF consultations can be found at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk. You can get in touch with the Combined Authority’s Consultation and Engagement team via YourVoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk, 0113 245 7676 or Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA). Please note that, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the majority of the Combined Authority’s staff are working from home and there will therefore be significant delays in receiving any postal contributions. If you can, please contact the team using another method to ensure a quick response.
How was the bid developed?
The bid was led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with the 10 local authorities across the Leeds City Region. It was developed in two stages, with a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) submitted to the DfT in June 2019. The final bid was submitted to the DfT in November 2019. The bid documents can be found at westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF
Who was the bid developed with?
The bid was developed in partnership with local authorities across the Leeds City Region, including Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York. The bid was also co-developed with the DfT, which provided feedback on the plans as they emerged. In line with other Mayoral Combined Authorities, we are required to feedback on the progress of the programme’s delivery.
How were decisions made around which schemes to include in the bid?
The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.
As part of the bidding process, the Combined Authority was asked to develop a series of schemes, which could be delivered under three different cost scenarios (low, core and high). Each scheme needed to meet the Combined Authority’s priorities, as well as objectives set out by the DfT, such as reducing carbon emissions, and increasing capacity for commuters with better access to employment centres, especially from disadvantaged communities.
Schemes put forward by local authorities were scored against the objectives before being reviewed as a programme. Once agreement had been reached between local authority and Combined Authority officers, the programme was signed off by each of the leaders, as well as members of the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee.
How does TCF complement other transport infrastructure schemes being delivered across the region?
It will build on the significant investment already made through the Combined Authority’s other programmes, such as the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, Connecting Leeds and CityConnect.
Many of the TCF schemes provide enhancements or extensions to the projects being delivered through these programmes, helping to spread the benefits across a wider geography.
The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.
For more information about the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund visit westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund
For more information about Connecting Leeds visit leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/connecting-leeds-and-transforming-travel
For more information about CityConnect visit cyclecityconnect.co.uk