PEOPLE in Skipton and Craven have been thanked for taking part in a consultation about multi-million plans to transform the railway station and the ‘gateway to the town’.

The four week consultation, which included online events, and has now ended, asked people for their views on plans to improve the area around the railway station in Broughton Road, and also the links between the station, schools and colleges and employment sites.

The four zones of improvements include plans to transform the entrance to the station with the creation of a new ‘plaza’ at the front, with seating, planting and lighting. Also planned are changes to the car park, footpaths and cycle access.

On Broughton Road, it is proposed to create a dedicated cycle lane and new pedestrian crossings.

The pedestrian route from the station to the auction mart on Gargrave Road is to have footpath improvements; including the upgrading and resurfacing of the path along the north of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, helping school pupils and students heading to Ermysted’s, the Girls High School, Skipton Academy and Craven College.

Finally, further walking route improvements are planned with the upgrade of Gallows Bridge and Black Walk and the laying out of new pedestrian crossings.

The work, which is expected to be done by 2023, is part of a partnership of local authorities, including Craven District Council, which secured £31millon for projects in Skipton, Harrogate and Selby, from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).

The TCF aims to make it easier, safer and quicker for people to travel on foot, by bike and by public transport by funding improved transport connections.

In each of the three towns, a major package of investment will improve opportunities for sustainable travel and link transport hubs with centres of education and employment.

The projects will be delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council and the district councils in each town and are scheduled to be completed by 2023.

David Smurthwaite, strategic manager for planning and regeneration at Craven District Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone in Craven who responded to the consultation to share their views. The scheme is an important investment for Skipton and it is essential we get this right for everyone, our residents, businesses and visitors.”

A report on the consultation response is expected to be presented to the county council’s Business and Environmental Services corporate director and Executive members in April.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “We are grateful to everyone who took the time to give their feedback. We will now analyse the responses with a view to presenting a detailed report on the consultation findings next month. These will inform our decision on which options to take forward to detailed design. We will then seek further opinions on those designs.”