PEOPLE are being urged to have their say on plans to ‘enhance’ a number of historic streets in the centre of Skipton.

Following Craven District Council’s success last year in securing just more than £1.5m from Historic England to fund a programme of capital projects, plans are now starting to take shape.

In partnership with Historic England, Skipton Civic Society and North Yorkshire County Council, a consultation is being launched on plans to redevelop the Coach Street area, including Victoria Street, Victoria Square and Hallam’s Yard.

The proposals aim to enhance historic links and encourage pedestrians to explore Skipton’s community of independent shops, businesses, cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Under the plans, Coach Street will be upgraded to include wider pavements using natural stone. There will also be dedicated bays for deliveries and coaches, raised pedestrian crossing points, a speed table and ‘heritage style’ lighting.

The council says the aim is to provide a ‘better experience for pedestrians and encourage more people to spend time in Skipton’s ‘Canal Quarter’’.

Also proposed is the lifting and re-laying of the stone setts in Victoria Street, off Coach Street, to include a flagstone central walkway and heritage style lighting.

This, says the council, will ‘greatly improve access for pedestrians’. Victoria Square will, if the proposals go ahead, benefit from relayed paving stones, new seating, planters, heritage style lighting, new signage and cycle parking.

In order to retain the historic character of Hallam’s Yard, which is accessed off Victoria Square, it is proposed paving stones will be repaired and relaid, bins will be screened off and new heritage style lighting installed.

Skipton is one of 60 ‘High Street Heritage Action Zones’ across the country to benefit from the Government funded scheme run by Historic England.

The initiative aims to use Skipton’s heritage to boost economic growth and improve quality of life.

So far, the funding has contributed to the refurbishment of the town hall and the purchase of the former community centre on Otley Street for conversion into an Arts House for creative young people.

The council says comments on the proposals will be used to shape the final designs. It is planned the scheme will be finalised by the end of the year with work taking place in 2022 - in the final months before the council is replaced by a new, single unitary authority. The consultation ends on November 30. www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GH7J8KH