'Why a new Harrogate train station could help fix traffic in this area of town'

Conservative councillor Paul Haslam said support for his idea for a new station in the Bilton area is gathering pace and that he has held early talks with transport officials at North Yorkshire County Council.

He believes a railway link on the Leeds to York line would alleviate pressure on the busy Skipton Road which he said suffers for traffic jams at peak hours because of poor transport connections in the area.

"We need to provide people in Bilton with an alternative for travel because at the minute there isn't one," he said.

"Skipton Road is the only way out and at peak times traffic is very heavy. A train station would take a lot of this traffic away by providing another travel option for people who work in York and Leeds.

"There are also three schools in the area along the Nidderdale Greenway and it would give children and parents a safe travel option."

This is how new car measures in Harrogate look but are they enough ask green groups?

Harrogate is currently served by three train stations in the town centre, Starbeck and Hornbeam Park.

Councillor Haslam, who represents the Bilton area on both North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council, said he is hoping to gather more support for the idea with hopes of a feasibility study being drawn up by council officials.

He has suggested an area off Claro Road near an existing footbridge which links Woodfield Primary School and Claro Court Business Centre as a possible location for the station.

It comes as plans to create a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) in Bilton have been unveiled as another measure to cut traffic on Skipton Road.

North Yorkshire County Council has not yet been revealed where the LTN could be introduced - a decision which councillor Haslam previously said will be a tricky task for transport officials.

The county council will also next week launch a public consultation on the much-anticipated Harrogate Gateway project which is aiming to create a more pedestrian and cycle-friendly entrance to the town from Harrogate train station.

Regeneration of the Station Parade area has long been discussed, with plans initially unveiled six years ago. Under the proposals, there could be a reallocation of road space on James Street and Station Parade with some parking spaces taken away.

The pedestrianisation of James Street is also being considered as an option to give greater priority to walkers and cyclists.

The consultation will mark only the start of a long planning process which, if supported, could see major change happening in Harrogate town centre before the end of 2023.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter