SKIPTON is in line for its 'biggest investment in decades'.

Plans to enhance the town's railway station and improve walking and cycling routes into both the town centre and to schools, Craven College, and employment sites, are set to move onto their final stage.

Part of a £42 million package of infrastructure improvements, which will see similar projects taking place in Harrogate and Selby, North Yorkshire County Council’s Executive is being recommended next week to take the proposals forward to the detailed design stage.

Councillors will be asked at Tuesday's meeting to approve the submission of a final business case to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which is administering funds on behalf of the Department for Transport.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive member for access, said: “These proposals represent the biggest investment in the town centres in decades and aim to increase productivity by making it quicker, easier and safer for people to travel around and connect with economic opportunities.

"We want to encourage more people to travel by foot, bike and public transport because it is good for health and the environment by promoting fitness and reducing congestion. The spending will also provide a welcome boost for our town centres after two difficult years of trading during the pandemic."

He added: “The entire project is a great example of partnership working and is set to deliver real benefits to residents and businesses across our county. We have listened to feedback from the public consultations and are confident people will be pleased with the results.”

In Skipton, the scheme is being delivered by North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The schemes are being paid for from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund and aim to drive up productivity through improved connections between urban centres and suburbs with a focus on investment in infrastructure to improve public and sustainable transport connectivity