A £5.8 MILLION scheme to improve Skipton town centre will progress to the next stage after a committee agreed to develop a business case.

Plans for "active and sustainable transport" across Skipton town centre was devised to turn the town's rail station into a "21st Century gateway."

Funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the scheme will see

- Public realm enhancements and improved access arrangements at the railway station

- Enhancements to the footpath between the railway station, college campus and employment areas

- Enhancements to Black Walk, one of the main pedestrian links between the railway station, bus station and the town centre

- Road junction improvements

- Pedestrian improvements at Gas Street and Cross Street

- Replacement of the Gallows Footbridge over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

- Development of the Broughton Road Active Travel Corridor (between the railway station and the town centre)

At a meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Investment Committee on Tuesday, members agreed to begin work on an outline business case for the plans.

A report to the committee said: "Skipton Station is the second busiest in North Yorkshire, and projections show significant future growth. However, its existing public realm and accessibility result in a poor-quality Transport Gateway.

"The package will provide a 21st century gateway, responding to the current and future (projected) high usage of Skipton Railway Station, and offering a high-quality user experience ensuring the train becomes a more viable commuting travel option for more people.

"The package will particularly improve access to the station for cyclists and pedestrians.

"The main objective is to enhance the station’s status as a strategically important sustainable transport gateway to the town and surrounding area.

"By improving the station and by providing enhanced access, as well as much improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, residents will be able to access opportunities across the wider Leeds City Region area.

"Similarly, workers and visitors from outside the area will have much better access to Skipton.

"Public realm enhancements will also support the station’s ‘gateway’ status and will help attract visitors to the town. The package will help to encourage inward investment and will make it a more attractive location for both businesses and employees."

Leader of Craven District Council, Cllr Richard Foster said: "This is an important area of Skipton that we are looking to develop, and this is a key part of bringing those changes forward."

The scheme is estimated to be completed by Spring 2023.