The first phase of Scarborough’s ‘station gateway’ redevelopment is set to go ahead this summer after councillors approved an amended plan.
The plans will see the taxi rank outside the station relocated to the existing car park at the back and increased pedestrianisation of the area.
There will also be landscaping work outside, with the introduction of more plants, trees and street furniture.
Members of the Scarborough and Whitby area planning committee have given the go-ahead to the proposed public realm works of the ‘station gateway’ redevelopment following a U-turn in the plan to move four railway station bus stops 100 metres along Westborough
The committee’s inaugural meeting saw councillors vote unanimously in favour of the redevelopment though many said they would not have supported the proposal if the “extremely concerning” plan to move the bus stops had been pursued by the applicant, North Yorkshire Council.
Several members of the public also wrote to the council objecting to the proposal on the grounds that the bus stops would be moved.
The ‘gateway’ scheme aims to increase pedestrianisation of the station area by moving the taxi rank to the rear of the station building as well as introducing hard and soft landscaping works including the introduction of more trees and plants.
Speaking in favour of the proposal, Chris Bourne, the head of projects at North Yorkshire Council said he hopes that visitors will have a better experience when they arrive in the town.
Work on the £6.6m public realm project is expected to start in August. The plan includes:
- New plaza of 1,700 sqm with planting, seating and York stone paving outside Scarborough Station;
- New pedestrian crossings, new traffic signals, removal of traffic islands and hatchings, decluttering on Westborough / Valley Bridge Road junction;
- Allowance for change in levels including ramped access on Valley Bridge steps, with alteration of the existing wall;
- Tree planting and footpath resurfacing on Valley Bridge Road
- Highway lane narrowing, traffic calming, wider footpath, table crossing, and seating on Westborough Road
- Three rain gardens (one directly in front of the station, one along Westborough on the east side of Valley Bridge Road (starting in front of the new entrance to Pavilion House) and one to the rear of the station between the Transport Hub and Comet Building
Councillor Roberta Swiers says that there has been years of hard work that have gone in to getting the redevelopment over the line.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Janet Jefferson said:
“My main concern was the removal of the bus stops because I’m a big supporter of public transport and those four stops outside accommodate a whole lot of use and providers.
“It would have been very detrimental and we wouldn’t have had as efficient a connectivity to provide this run-through for everyone when they arrive at the station.”
However, concerns about antisocial behaviour were raised by Cllr Neil Swannick who said he was “less than impressed” when examining the plan.
He said:
“It doesn’t feel like a particularly safe space, so I was surprised that moving all the activity to the back of the building was deemed to be a safe way to do things.”
The plan was approved by the committee subject to various conditions including requirements around lighting strategy and tree protection.
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