Campaigners' delight as extra £1m granted for cycle lanes and walkways in Harrogate and across North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council won the money as part of a second round bid to the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund which is encouraging more walking and cycling as the nation emerges from the pandemic.

The cash will be used for five schemes across the county - three of which are in Harrogate.

These include segregated cycle lanes and improved crossings on the A59 between the town and Knaresborough, as well as the same upgrades plus bike storage in the Victoria Avenue area of Harrogate.

Cycle lanes and crossing improvements on Oatlands Drive with connections to Hornbeam Park and St Aidans and St John Fisher schools were also included in the successful bid.

Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said the council's success had been welcomed by members. He said: "Any money coming into Harrogate is always welcome so we are absolutely delighted with this.

"During the first round we felt there wasn't much consultation with residents, but that wasn't the case this time and a lot of work went into detailed designs which I think has paid off. This should be recognised and is a credit to the team at the council.

"The Oatlands Drive scheme will be really positive and provide children with alternative means to get to school. The Harrogate and Knaresborough cycle path should also help ease some of the pressure on the A59."

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The £1m comes after the council was criticised by campaigners for a "lack of ambition" and consultation when it was awarded half of the £266,000 it was being offered in the first round of bidding.

The council itself said it was "disappointed" before committing to fund all the schemes it bid for, which included a pop-up cycle lane and barriers to widen footpaths for social distancing in Harrogate.

Mr Douglas said the coronavirus pandemic had shown the potential for a cycling and walking revolution, with fewer drivers giving new cyclists the confidence to hit the road.

However, he added the onus was now on local authorities to make sure this surge in active travel lasts long into the future.

"The issue with these schemes in Harrogate now is delivery," he said. "It is going to be a busy time for the council and with the timescales which the Department for Transport has given it will require a lot of hard work.

"The government's intention is clear about what they want to do and they have put their money where their mouth is. It is now time for local authorities to deliver and we are really keen to work with them."

Campaign group Sustainably Harrogate also welcomed the funding announcement. A spokesperson said: "What’s needed now is a comprehensive communication strategy to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport. We need people to leave their cars at home more often."

Councillor Don Mackenzie, the county's executive member for access, previously said: “We are committed to improving active, sustainable modes of travel for people across the county wherever possible.

“Following public engagement in the summer, we submitted a strong bid to the government’s Active Travel Fund, so it’s excellent news that we have been successful in gaining this funding.

“We now await confirmation of the details of the funding from the Department for Transport."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter