Skipton MP, Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE, visited the multi-million pound Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) 'Gateway' project in Skipton on Friday, 28 March, alongside Karl Battersby - Corporate Director Environment for North Yorkshire Council.
The £7.8 million TCF project aims to improve connectivity between Skipton’s rail and bus stations, encouraging sustainable travel and improving access to jobs, education, healthcare, and leisure facilities. The initiative also seeks to boost Skipton’s visitor economy, which attracts 1.7 million visitors annually and contributes £207 million to the local economy.
During his visit, Julian expressed his support for the project, stating, “It is fantastic to see first-hand the plans behind this ambitious scheme and see spades in the ground. These improvements will not only improve Skipton’s transport infrastructure but also unlock significant economic opportunities for the town and North Yorkshire.”
The project includes pedestrian improvements on Black Walk, Carleton Street, and Gas Street, resurfacing over one kilometre of canal footpath, and installing a new 300-metre path connecting the canal footpath to Craven Leisure Centre. Gallows Bridge will be replaced with a new structure inspired by the old timber bridge.
NYHighways, the highways company, began the work on March 3, with landscaping and site clearance.
Improvements to Black Walk, Carleton Street, and Gas Street will start in April, followed by the canal upgrades in the summer.
