News Beat
New concerns raised for North Yorkshire station revamp plans
Scarborough town councillors have raised concerns about the number of drop-off spaces proposed in the town’s Station Gateway project, a series of suggested public realm improvements aiming to create a more welcoming public space for residents and visitors.
Members of the community and place committee said residents require adequate drop-off spaces at Scarborough Station and that the current plans should be clarified or amended accordingly.
Cllr David Knowles, chair of the committee, said: “People who have lived here a long time are increasingly fed up with the changes that have happened and as local taxpayers, are getting fewer and fewer provisions.”
Speaking at a committee meeting on Friday, January 16, he noted: “Drop-off places are important. I looked at the plan: four for taxis, three for disabled, two for people who drop off.”
He added: “You’re quite right about the fact that people who drop off are being minimised.”
However, the Scarborough Town Council committee said it supported the investment in general.
Plans for the redevelopment would be funded using £6.68 million allocated from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund.
North Yorkshire Council previously said: “New outdoor seating areas, resurfaced footpaths and tree planting have been proposed as part of the project along with enhanced accessible parking and improved pedestrian access to the station and nearby transport links.
A planning application submitted last year states: “The current design adopts a balanced approach that enhances pedestrian access and the quality of the public realm, whilst retaining critical vehicular functions including taxi services, drop-off areas, and accessible parking within the station forecourt.
It adds: “The taxi rank and drop-off bays are repositioned adjacent to the station entrance, served by a clearly marked 2m wide footpath surfaced with contrasting paving to separate pedestrian routes from vehicular access.
Initial proposals for the first phase of the Station Gateway scheme were developed by Scarborough Borough Council and submitted for planning approval in 2022, prior to the launch of North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.
Following further work by North Yorkshire Council, the Scarborough Neighbourhood Board and other key stakeholders, the designs have since been refined with a greater focus on improving the immediate area around the front of the station.
STC’s community and place committee said it was in favour of the proposal, subject to its comments being considered and receiving clarifications.
