Andrew Jones MP has said he hopes North Yorkshire Council will use money earmarked for the £11.2m Station Gateway to create a more welcoming space in Harrogate.

Last week, senior Conservative councillors in Northallerton agreed to consider different options in an attempt to rescue the troubled transport scheme.

In August, the council pressed pause on the project due to a legal challenge from Hornbeam Park Developments and Mr Jones described it as a “timed-out dead scheme”.

However, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he is still wanted the government’s Transforming Cities Fund money to be spent in the town.

A report prepared for councillors last week said one option could be to reallocate funds to other gateway schemes in Skipton and Selby if a solution in Harrogate is not found.

Should government give permission to modify the scheme in Harrogate, it appears the council will focus on its less controversial aspects, which might include public realm improvements at Station Square and One Arch.

The MP said he has lobbied government ministers about allowing the gateway money to be spent in Harrogate.

Mr Jones said:

Read more:

• ‘Save the Station Gateway!’: Harrogate cycling campaigner issues plea


• ‘Collective will’ at council to rescue £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway

North Yorkshire Council has said it will make a decision on what happens next with the Station Gateway before November.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which won the initial funding from government, has said it has accepted the principle of a modified scheme. The Department for Transport has also indicated initial support for a modified scheme but has not yet formally responded.

The DfT has reiterated that the Transforming Cities Fund money must be spent before March 2025 at the latest.