Skipton Station Gateway

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Thank you for visiting our consultation pages – the public consultation exercises for the North Yorkshire Transforming Cities Fund projects will launch on Monday 18 October, and the full materials and questionnaire for Skipton will be available on this webpage from 18 October until 12 November 2021.

We will be running online events to present the proposals on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 20 October 6pm – 7pm: Skipton Public Session 1
  • Wednesday 3 November 6pm – 7pm: Skipton Public Session 2

Please check back here on the day of your chosen session to access the meeting.

If you can't make these dates, a recording of the session will be made available on this webpage too.

***

Thank you to all those who took part in the Skipton Station Gateway consultation. All survey answers, comments and suggestions are being considered in the next phase of designs. Please find the Outcome Report available here:



Please note that this public consultation has now closed.

The information below was presented during the public consultation between 24 February and 24 March 2021:

Major changes are being proposed to improve walking and cycling access between Skipton Railway Station and the surrounding area. Between Wednesday 24 February and Wednesday 24 March 2021, we are asking for your feedback on these proposals. Your views are important to help us shape the designs, so please take this opportunity to let us know what you think.

Step 1: Have a look at the proposals for each zone, which have been uploaded to the top of this webpage in the 'Consultation Materials: Please View' section.

Step 2: Join a live event to hear more and ask questions:

Step 3: Tell us what you think by completing the survey, which you can access by clicking the button below. You can choose how many zones you want to comment on.

The Proposals

The proposals consist of four areas of focus or ‘zones’ including the station gateway. In each zone, we are proposing different changes although there are some common themes running throughout. On this webpage you will find information, including plans and visualisations, to help you understand what is proposed. We have also provided answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

  • Zone One – Skipton Railway Station: Transforming the entrance to the station, creating a new plaza in front of the station, with seating, planting, lighting and other design features, improving the car park, footpaths and cycle access.
  • Zone Two – Broughton Road walking and cycling route: Creating a cycle lane along Broughton Road, and building new pedestrian crossings.
  • Zone Three – Railway Station to Auction Mart Canal Footpath Improvements: Upgrading and resurfacing the footpath along the north of the Canal, creating improved pedestrian routes between Skipton railway station, Craven Auction Mart and Craven College Campus.
  • Zone Four – Railway Station to Bus Station Walking Route Improvements: Improving Gallows Bridge and Black Walk, and building new pedestrian crossings.


Background

North Yorkshire County Council, Craven District Council, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are working together to deliver ambitious improvements in Skipton which will benefit and attract residents, business, visitors and investors alike.

These improvements are part of the Leeds City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) — a major new £317 million programme of transport infrastructure investment, which aims to provide an accessible, attractive and cleaner alternative to car journeys.

Building the future we want with a transport system fit for the 21st century is vital, not only as we look to pave a way forward for our region following the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to tackle climate change by helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038. 

Skipton’s proposed £5.8m scheme comprises of a series of improvements to public spaces, and walking and cycling facilities. It will establish Skipton Railway Station as an important gateway within the town and the wider Leeds City Region. The package of improvements will help people choose more sustainable transport options and will support better connectivity to employment and education opportunities within Craven District and the surrounding area.

Benefits for Everyone

This consultation is part of our plan to involve users and stakeholders in the process and ensure we achieve an outcome which benefits everyone. Final design decisions have not yet been made, and your feedback and input will help us shape the final scheme later this year.

Improving Skipton

We want to use this investment to:

  • Support economic growth by improving accessibility, and working with universities and businesses to develop skills and create more jobs.
  • Improve transport connections to give people better access to jobs, education, healthcare and leisure facilities.
  • Reduce the carbon emissions associated with transport to help address climate change.

This will help us to respond to some of the key problems, issues and opportunities which Skipton and the wider city region face.

This project has the following objectives:

  • Deliver a 21st century transport gateway for Skipton, with better connections between the Railway and Bus Stations to make it easier to travel between bus or rail, and to encourage more people to use public transport.
  • Make it easier to walk or cycle by providing a viable alternative to private cars.
  • Increase the number of people travelling to or from Skipton railway station by walking or cycling.
  • Increase use of Skipton railway station for travel between Skipton and the wider Leeds City Region for all journey purposes.
  • Improve walking and cycling infrastructure and facilities to help people access key services and employment destinations.
  • Improve connectivity and economic links with Lancashire and the Leeds City Region.
  • Make it easier to access jobs and employment sites to help support an increase of around 800 jobs.
  • Improve air quality within Craven by reducing traffic on the local road network and reduce carbon emissions from transport within Craven.

If you have questions about the scheme which are not covered by the information provided in the Documents section, you can submit your question via the ‘Questions’ tab (below).

Next Steps

Following the close of the public consultation on Wednesday 24 March, all feedback will be considered as the designs evolve. There will be more opportunities to provide feedback on these updated plans later in 2021 before we submit a planning application and request funding to begin construction.

It you would like to join our mailing list, please send your details to: TransformingCities@NorthYorks.gov.uk

If you would like to register with Your Voice to be kept informed with the progress of this scheme, please click on the Register button.

For social media updates on this project and other North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council schemes, follow us on:

Twitter: @NorthYorksCC and @CravenCouncil

Facebook: @NorthYorksCC and @CravenCouncil

LinkedIn: @NorthYorksCC

Instagram: @NorthYorksCC


Contact Us

If you have any other questions, you can get in touch with us via:

Email: Transformingcities@northyorks.gov.uk

Telephone:  01609 780780 

Freepost:   Corporate Director

Central services

North Yorkshire County Council

County Hall

NORTHALLERTON

DL7 5AL

If you are having difficulty accessing the online survey, or need an alternative format, please contact us, using any of the contact details above. Please note that due to Covid-19 rules, most of our staff are working from home and therefore there will be delays in receiving any postal contributions. It is strongly recommended that you participate via the online survey or contact us via email if possible.

For more information on the Transforming Cities Fund project, please visit: Transforming Cities Fund - Combined Authority | Unlocking potential, accelerating growth (westyorks-ca.gov.uk)

Thank you for visiting our consultation pages – the public consultation exercises for the North Yorkshire Transforming Cities Fund projects will launch on Monday 18 October, and the full materials and questionnaire for Skipton will be available on this webpage from 18 October until 12 November 2021.

We will be running online events to present the proposals on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 20 October 6pm – 7pm: Skipton Public Session 1
  • Wednesday 3 November 6pm – 7pm: Skipton Public Session 2

Please check back here on the day of your chosen session to access the meeting.

If you can't make these dates, a recording of the session will be made available on this webpage too.

***

Thank you to all those who took part in the Skipton Station Gateway consultation. All survey answers, comments and suggestions are being considered in the next phase of designs. Please find the Outcome Report available here:



Please note that this public consultation has now closed.

The information below was presented during the public consultation between 24 February and 24 March 2021:

Major changes are being proposed to improve walking and cycling access between Skipton Railway Station and the surrounding area. Between Wednesday 24 February and Wednesday 24 March 2021, we are asking for your feedback on these proposals. Your views are important to help us shape the designs, so please take this opportunity to let us know what you think.

Step 1: Have a look at the proposals for each zone, which have been uploaded to the top of this webpage in the 'Consultation Materials: Please View' section.

Step 2: Join a live event to hear more and ask questions:

Step 3: Tell us what you think by completing the survey, which you can access by clicking the button below. You can choose how many zones you want to comment on.

The Proposals

The proposals consist of four areas of focus or ‘zones’ including the station gateway. In each zone, we are proposing different changes although there are some common themes running throughout. On this webpage you will find information, including plans and visualisations, to help you understand what is proposed. We have also provided answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

  • Zone One – Skipton Railway Station: Transforming the entrance to the station, creating a new plaza in front of the station, with seating, planting, lighting and other design features, improving the car park, footpaths and cycle access.
  • Zone Two – Broughton Road walking and cycling route: Creating a cycle lane along Broughton Road, and building new pedestrian crossings.
  • Zone Three – Railway Station to Auction Mart Canal Footpath Improvements: Upgrading and resurfacing the footpath along the north of the Canal, creating improved pedestrian routes between Skipton railway station, Craven Auction Mart and Craven College Campus.
  • Zone Four – Railway Station to Bus Station Walking Route Improvements: Improving Gallows Bridge and Black Walk, and building new pedestrian crossings.


Background

North Yorkshire County Council, Craven District Council, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are working together to deliver ambitious improvements in Skipton which will benefit and attract residents, business, visitors and investors alike.

These improvements are part of the Leeds City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) — a major new £317 million programme of transport infrastructure investment, which aims to provide an accessible, attractive and cleaner alternative to car journeys.

Building the future we want with a transport system fit for the 21st century is vital, not only as we look to pave a way forward for our region following the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to tackle climate change by helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038. 

Skipton’s proposed £5.8m scheme comprises of a series of improvements to public spaces, and walking and cycling facilities. It will establish Skipton Railway Station as an important gateway within the town and the wider Leeds City Region. The package of improvements will help people choose more sustainable transport options and will support better connectivity to employment and education opportunities within Craven District and the surrounding area.

Benefits for Everyone

This consultation is part of our plan to involve users and stakeholders in the process and ensure we achieve an outcome which benefits everyone. Final design decisions have not yet been made, and your feedback and input will help us shape the final scheme later this year.

Improving Skipton

We want to use this investment to:

  • Support economic growth by improving accessibility, and working with universities and businesses to develop skills and create more jobs.
  • Improve transport connections to give people better access to jobs, education, healthcare and leisure facilities.
  • Reduce the carbon emissions associated with transport to help address climate change.

This will help us to respond to some of the key problems, issues and opportunities which Skipton and the wider city region face.

This project has the following objectives:

  • Deliver a 21st century transport gateway for Skipton, with better connections between the Railway and Bus Stations to make it easier to travel between bus or rail, and to encourage more people to use public transport.
  • Make it easier to walk or cycle by providing a viable alternative to private cars.
  • Increase the number of people travelling to or from Skipton railway station by walking or cycling.
  • Increase use of Skipton railway station for travel between Skipton and the wider Leeds City Region for all journey purposes.
  • Improve walking and cycling infrastructure and facilities to help people access key services and employment destinations.
  • Improve connectivity and economic links with Lancashire and the Leeds City Region.
  • Make it easier to access jobs and employment sites to help support an increase of around 800 jobs.
  • Improve air quality within Craven by reducing traffic on the local road network and reduce carbon emissions from transport within Craven.

If you have questions about the scheme which are not covered by the information provided in the Documents section, you can submit your question via the ‘Questions’ tab (below).

Next Steps

Following the close of the public consultation on Wednesday 24 March, all feedback will be considered as the designs evolve. There will be more opportunities to provide feedback on these updated plans later in 2021 before we submit a planning application and request funding to begin construction.

It you would like to join our mailing list, please send your details to: TransformingCities@NorthYorks.gov.uk

If you would like to register with Your Voice to be kept informed with the progress of this scheme, please click on the Register button.

For social media updates on this project and other North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council schemes, follow us on:

Twitter: @NorthYorksCC and @CravenCouncil

Facebook: @NorthYorksCC and @CravenCouncil

LinkedIn: @NorthYorksCC

Instagram: @NorthYorksCC


Contact Us

If you have any other questions, you can get in touch with us via:

Email: Transformingcities@northyorks.gov.uk

Telephone:  01609 780780 

Freepost:   Corporate Director

Central services

North Yorkshire County Council

County Hall

NORTHALLERTON

DL7 5AL

If you are having difficulty accessing the online survey, or need an alternative format, please contact us, using any of the contact details above. Please note that due to Covid-19 rules, most of our staff are working from home and therefore there will be delays in receiving any postal contributions. It is strongly recommended that you participate via the online survey or contact us via email if possible.

For more information on the Transforming Cities Fund project, please visit: Transforming Cities Fund - Combined Authority | Unlocking potential, accelerating growth (westyorks-ca.gov.uk)

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

If you have any questions about this survey or the project itself, ask us below.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Regarding part 3 of the proposals have you considered extending the path a bit further past the Auction Mart along the canal bank to meet the other path which descends Niffany Hill to Niffany Bridge to create a circular route back into town- it would enable walkers to go under the bridge in safety rather than having to cross the bypass further up?

    SueL asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for taking the time to send us your comments.

    We will feed this point to the design team for consideration at the next stage of design.

    Regards

    The Project Team

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    Have you looked at how dangerous pedestrian and cycle access is to Engine Shed Lane? This is also a commuting route for many - to Sandylands and the Engine Shed Lane commercial units, but there is no pavement or safe crossing

    KtB asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for taking the time to send us your comments.

    Unfortunately Engine Shed Lane does not fall within the project area for this scheme, but your comments have been recorded for consideration within future funding opportunities.

    Regards

    The Project Team

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    Good morning team, thanks for your reply, much appreciated. I'd just like to re-iterate/ask if a pedestrian/cycle zebra crossing across Swadford street (i.e. from card factory to the barbers shop where there is currently an island) can be reconsidered within the scope of this scheme. As a value for money measure it just seems like a drop in the ocean compared to the wider scheme to put this in - both in and of itself and as a massive boost to the value for money for the propsoed scheme? I can't overstate the positive impact this would have for the vast majority of people of who will now be encouraged to walk/cycle? It's the access to the new scheme I have concerns over - it just seems like a huge wasted opportunity not to extend the scope to include a crossing when you 'have the bonnet open'? As a cyclist and pedestrian using this route as a family I can't really see a huge need for further cycling provision in the town over and above this key piece of infrastructure (except for pedestrianising the high street and a one way system which would do wonders for all transport modes in my view - appreciate well outside of scope!) If its impact could be considered fully as an inclusion and discounted for 'x' reason no problem - but it doesn't seem to have been considered when looking at the original scope? Thanks again.

    Adam Longthorn asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your further comments.  

    The suggestion for a crossing at the location of the existing island would need to be subject to some detailed feasibility - we will pass your comments to the design team for consideration in our consultation analysis and decision of scope to be taken forward to more detailed design.

    Regards,

    The Project Team 

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    How does a cyclist heading towards Tesco from the railway station negotiate the right turn into Cavendish Street? I assume they will have to move to and sit in the middle of the road until it is safe to turn, as now?

    Zone 2 asked about 3 years ago

    Good afternoon, 

    Thank you for taking the time to send us your questions.

    The existing right turn protocol is retained here.

    Regards,

    The Project Team

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    On Broughton Road, between the railway station and the crossing at the entrance to Morrisons, is the new 2-lane cycle way the only thing on the North side of the road, or is there also a separate space for pedestrians? On Zone 1 Plan B and Zone 2 Plan B it looks as though there is space for pedestrians but on Zone 2 Visualisation B it looks as though there is no space for pedestrians on this side of the road, or if there is space, it will be very narrow and partially obstructed by tree planting.

    Zone 2 asked about 3 years ago

    Good afternoon, 

    Thank you for taking the time to send us your comments and questions.

    The footway will be provided on this side of the road with a typical width of 1.5m - the perspective within the visualisation makes the footway appear narrower than it would actually be.

    Regards,

    The Project Team

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    What are the number of car park spaces available now and planned? Where will the taxis wait and how many spaces are available for them? Why not build a multi-story car park for commuters who wish to use the rail services?

    lothersdale asked about 3 years ago

    Good morning, 

    Thank you for taking the time to send us your comments.

    The car park configuration is aimed at improving station access particularly for active modes of transport - walking and cycling, in line with funding requirements.  

    Of course, this needs to be balanced with other transport modes and so parking spaces and taxi space is retained at or very close to existing provision - detailed numbers will be finalised in the next stage of design.

    Regards,

    The Project Team

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    The crossing by the post office at the East end of Swadford Street is marked on Plan B and Visualisation B as being for cyclists as well as pedestrians. Where are the supposed to go when they get to the other side? The cycle lanes either side of the crossing are one-way and there are no side roads. The only use possible use this crossing has for a cyclist would be to facilitate a U-turn!

    Zone 2 asked about 3 years ago

    Good morning, 

    Thank you for taking the time to send us your comments.

    We will ensure that the utility of including provision for cyclists on this crossing is reviewed.

    Regards,

    The Project Team

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    Hi Roseann/Aidan, I had a few further comments/questions in addition to the survey if that's ok? I've stated in the survey I don't think this is a good use of funds - but this is aiming squarely at the cycling provision in zone 2. Something does sorely need doing here to encourage what is a very short journey to the station from anywhere in Skipton. However - have you considered access to the cycle lanes from the rest of the town? The vast majority of people you would be looking to attract to this route live east of Swadford street (as I'd guess do a majority of Skipton's population? Those East of Swadford street don't need this scheme - they would come through aireville park or via the canal (which zone one is great for by the way!). The biggest issue to me and my wife - both regular cycle commuters is not this stretch - but is the nightmare of the roundabout at the bottom of new market street and the right turn off of Swadford street. If you spent all the money on zone two on adressing this one pinch point you would encourage more active travel than the whole of the rest of the zone 2 elements. No one who doesn't currently have the confidence to cycle through that junction is going to be encouraged to access some great cycle lanes after this point? Everyone who can reasonably be expected to use those cycle lanes is east of that point? Additionally there are for more vehicle journey's to Morrison's I would have thought than to the station? Surely the scheme needs to incorporate something to make cycling access to the supermarket easier? Additionally - if I am cycling to the station with a car besideme/behind - the car will now have to stop to let me cross the first crossing to access the bi-directional cycleway? It just doesn't seem effective to make the car and cyclist stop and once again at the end of the bi directional cycleway to access the station? I would go so far as removing the bi-directional cycleway and think it actually safer and more convenient for a cyclist or motorist to co-exist all the way to the station sharing the carriageway rather than forcing a cyclist to stop traffic twice? The section away from the station is excellent I would like to say! The bi-directional creates potential conflict as more competent cyclists (and anybody quite quickly who is encouraged to now make the journey - will quickly realise stopping twice massively inconvencines everyone. If a cyclist is not using the bi directional cycle way for this reason it creates a conflict with the motorist 'there's a cycle lane there) where the conflict just isn't needed. I cycle to Morrisons with my daughter in the bike seat - she loves it - I am terrified of standing in the middle of Swadford road attempting to turn right! Happy to discuss further - at the very least save the money on the bi directional between Belmont bridge and the station - it will 100% do more harm than good to cyclist using that route.

    Adam Longthorn asked about 3 years ago

    Good morning,

    Thank you for your detailed and considered comments which are very useful - these will be fed back to the design team and considered as part of the preferred option to take forward.

    We note particularly your comments on accessibility onto Swadford Street. Whilst this sits outside of the scope and the funding envelope of the current scheme, the current scheme is intended to form a link which can be extended under future funding packages, as part of a coherent wider network in the town.

    Regards,

    The Project Team

Page last updated: 18 Oct 2021, 10:00 AM