'We are not anti-car': Senior Harrogate councillor hits back at criticism over vision for future of town centre travel

A senior Tory councillor has insisted Harrogate is not "anti-car" as he attempted to set the record straight on the borough council's vision for the future of town centre travel.
Coun Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability.Coun Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability.
Coun Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability.

Coun Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, told a meeting the council is keen to strike a balance between cutting congestion and supporting struggling shops, after the authority was accused by one of its own members of showing disregard for the needs of motorists.

It comes as millions of pounds has been earmarked for big infrastructure changes to boost cycling and walking in Harrogate town centre as it moves towards a future where the car is no longer king.

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Some car parking spaces have already been temporarily removed for social distancing reasons, which has given shoppers a flavour of pedestrianisation- an idea which council leaders say they are still open to.

But Coun Nick Brown said the council should be focusing more on pulling motorists - who he described as the "principle shoppers" - back into the town to support shops hit hard by the pandemic.

He said the council is being "blind to the most immediate problem" which is "keeping our retail shops alive and well".

"The emphasis is not on helping what should be the most huge priority now to get these shops earning money", he said.

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"I'm not against cyclists. I'm not against cycling. But when I see a bike I don't see the old wicker pannier on the front that you would need if you were going to go shopping.

"We should really be encouraging motorists to come in now to buy, buy and buy some more."

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The future plans for Harrogate include an £8m revamp of the Station Parade area with better cycling and walking links to other parts of the town.

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A pop-up cycle lane on Beech Grove will also be built this month and could become permanent if it proves to be a success.

The long-delayed Otley Road cycle route project is finally making some progress and North Yorkshire County Council is now preparing a bid for £1milllion to the government for more cycling and walking projects across the region.

At this week's meeting, Coun Ireland told Coun Brown "there is no policy to prevent travel by car anywhere in the district" and added both councils are aiming to create a more level playing field for all road users.

"This is the first time I've had an accusation levelled at the council that we are anti-car" he said. "Let me put your mind at risk Nick, that is not the case.

"We are not anti-car. We are very pro-covid protection.

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"I take onboard your message that if someone has got a heavy load of shopping to do then clearly they might well decide to drive to the supermarket.

"However, as far as the high streets are concerned, I think there is a strong case to favour active transport and safe public methods of transport rather than using the car."

Coun Ireland also said the purpose of the temporary barriers put up for social distancing on seven streets in Harrogate and Knaresborough was "misinterpreted" after complaints from some traders.

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He added there are no immediate plans to drastically redraw the district's town centres and added any major changes - such as the Station Parade upgrades and pedestrianisation - would be subject to public consultation.

"There is a heck of a long way to go before anything happens in Harrogate through vehicles such as the transforming cities fund", he said, "and it is a long way to go before the full picture emerges.

"Nothing is ruled out and nothing is ruled in."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter