New Traffic Regulation Order heightens opposition to the scheme
“It’s disgusting that local tradespeople, who are the life and soul of the town, have been ignored again by the council.” This was just one response from a vast majority of local businesses who feel overlooked by the council’s plans for the Harrogate Station Gateway scheme and fearful about their future in the town.
A survey by the Get Away campaign amongst local traders, following the issue of the latest Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), has reinforced the consternation amongst businesses over the town centre development.
The vast majority of traders in Harrogate town centre are extremely concerned (83%) about the latest TRO and fearful (82%) about what the future holds for them. Nearly two thirds (65%) felt that they had not been consulted on the most recent TRO with less than a third saying the consultation was adequate. 74% revealed their intention to object to the new TRO with just 14% saying they wouldn’t. 62% of traders also said they are now more against the scheme than before after the latest TRO was issued, and 19% stated they were as against it, as they were previously.
90% of respondents had at least one concern about the proposed development. Key worries were lack of parking in the town centre (52%); limited parking bays (40%); the traffic chaos that will be caused by two years of work, including the principal road into the town centre (44%); added burden of the impact of the scheme on trade on top of increases in business rates, rents and national insurance contributions (36%); reduction in short visits to the town centre due to the parking situation (36%); and safety of road users (28%).
Says Steven Baines: “Despite widespread condemnation of this scheme amongst town centre traders, North Yorkshire Council just turns a blind eye to it. Businesses are clearly concerned about parking spaces, they’re fearful of their future in the town centre, they feel completely overlooked, and they’re rightly worried about the prospect of 2 years of upheaval. Yet the council takes absolutely no notice.
“The council has failed to engage with the business community, who will be most affected, from day one, and this approach has just continued with the latest TRO which has left the majority of traders in shock.
“We’ve had so many traders supporting what we have done and sharing their letters of objection.”
According to the Get Away Group, the new TRO will result in parking being slashed by 87% on Lower Station Parade, with a potential loss of up to 300 visits per day, representing some 2,000 fewer customers each week. There will also only be one loading bay for 30 plus businesses and takeaway customers for five restaurants will have nowhere to stop to collect their food.
The Get Away group has already submitted an appeal against a High Court decision to give the green light to earlier traffic orders. A decision on the latest TRO is expected to be made by the council soon.
