Work has progressed to the next key stage in the £7.8m station access scheme at Skipton railway station, aimed at getting more people walking and cycling to the station rather than driving.
Part of a drive to get more people travelling by rail, the scheme would see improved public spaces, improving accessibility and connectivity between the railway station and the town’s bus station and town centre, particularly through improved pedestrian and cycling routes.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority members have agreed to provide £934,000 funding to progress the scheme to the stage of a full business case for the plans.
The funding will come from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, with a multimillion investment outlined to transform travel in West Yorkshire.
Local press reported members of the combined authority as saying: “The proposed scheme will transform Skipton Rail Station into a multi-modal, sustainable travel hub improving the town and district’s connectivity with Leeds, Bradford and the wider Leeds City Region supporting inclusive and sustainable future economic growth.
"The small, compact nature of Skipton and the location of future developments demonstrate the scheme’s potential to encourage behaviour change and stimulate a shift from car to walking, cycling, rail, and bus."
Mark Ramsden, Head of Service for the Transforming Cities Fund project, added: “There are also a number of further developments planned for the outskirts of the town which are likely to encourage more car journeys without better infrastructure being in place."
The works will cost around £7.3m and are expected to be completed by March 2023.
