Economic, Regeneration Tourism and Transport   Project Development Fund
Project Scoping & Budget Holder Approval Form

SECTION A – PROJECT SCOPING
NYC Area Constituency Committee Name	Harrogate and Knaresborough
Project Name	Knaresborough Land Train Feasibility Study
Description of Project Location	Knaresborough
NYC Division(s) in which the project is located	Knaresborough
Project Lead Officer Details	Name	Marcin Dane
	Job Title	Principal Regeneration Officer
	Email	marcin.dane@northyorks.gov.uk
	Telephone	0300 131 2 131
1. PROJECT DETAILS
Please outline why the budget is required and what are the current barriers to project development it will help overcome?	There is a lack of connectivity across Knaresborough, making it difficult to navigate for residents and visitors, reducing footfall and spend in the town. Recent work funded by NYC SPF has confirmed the opportunity to introduce a land train in Knaresborough. The proposed road test will build the case with potential funders and investors. The aim of this project is to undertake a feasibility study for the provision of a land train operation that will benefit the local community and visitors alike. The proposed train will run for a period of one week (including a weekend) to assess suitability of introducing a regular service. A provisional booking has been made for 7 consecutive days during the autumn half-term (Monday 28 October – 1 November 2024) to also include weekend days before and/or after (either Saturday-Friday, Sunday-Saturday or Monday-Sunday). This period would include Halloween (31 October), for which local events in Knaresborough have already been planned.
Please detail what specific costs the budget will be spent on?	The total cost of the project is currently estimated to be approximately £15k. The ACC fund would cover the feasibility study's costs, which include consulting, licensing and operating fees for the road test. The consulting service would also assess the planned route, liaise with relevant public agencies and highway authority.
Please describe the future project that this activity will help to unlock.	This feasibility study will lay the groundwork for a potential future project involving the regular operation of a land train in Knaresborough. The refurbished second-hand land train proposed to be trialled in Knaresborough is available for purchase, and the road test would therefore be able to confirm its suitability. If successful, NYC Regeneration will request to work alongside local organisations (such as Knaresborough Town Council and Chamber of Trade) to seek funding to progress this as a longer-term project which will lead to increased tourism, improved local transportation options, and enhanced economic activity in the area.
2. STRATEGIC FIT
Detail how the project will contribute to the North Yorkshire Council ‘Council Plan’ and the Economic Growth Strategy or the Destination Management Plan (Reference should be made on how a future project will help deliver the respective strategies)	The project aligns with the ambition in the Council Plan to drive innovation and improve outcomes, supporting the vision to create a good quality of life for all. It addresses the key themes of Place & Environment as well as Economy. The project will support a number of priorities including seeking improvements to transport connectivity, supporting effective and efficient public transport network that meets the user needs, promoting local tourism infrastructure and to increase opportunities to use engagement with culture, arts and heritage to improve health and wellbeing. It also links to the delivery of the Economic Growth Strategy for North Yorkshire by supporting sustainable and healthy lives in Knaresborough, recognising the benefits that come from addressing economic, environmental, health and wellbeing goals together.
3. LOCAL FIT
Detail how this project meets local priorities including linkages with local regeneration plans and strategies.	The project aligns with local priorities by supporting Knaresborough’s regeneration objectives, which include enhancing transportation links, promoting tourism, and boosting the local economy. It also ties into broader community and environmental goals by exploring sustainable transport solutions that can serve both residents and visitors.
4. FINANCE
Will the service area be making a financial contribution to the project development costs?  If so, please detail.	No contributions are planned from the service area.
Please confirm the amount of money required. Please provide a breakdown of costs / estimates where available and how these have been calculated.	The total cost of the project is currently estimated to be £14,988. The estimated costs (inclusive of VAT) are: · £12,828 consulting, licensing, operating of land train during trial · £960 advertising and branding materials · £1,200 customer satisfaction survey and analysis
5.  DELIVERY, TIMESCALES AND MONITORING
What is the staffing resource within NYC required / how will it be resourced? Has the capacity to complete the activity been confirmed with the relevant service manager? Dependencies on other NYC services	The Regeneration team at NYC will request to work alongside local organisations, including the Town Council and Chamber of Trade, to oversee the study and engage a land train hire company to deliver the trial. Promotional and survey work will be conducted by the consultants currently working on wider connectivity issues in the town. A padlocked bollard on the waterside will need to be removed during the trial period for access. Officers will work with the highways team to arrange a temporary removal/unlocking of the bollard.
Please outline the anticipated timeframe for delivery of the activity? Please include details of how the activity will be procured (if required).	Details of procurement activity are yet to be finalised, but this will be carried out in accordance with the council’s procurement and contract procedure rules. It is proposed that the trial will take place in October 2024. There is only one land train currently available for short-term hire in the north of England, and the provisional booking will need to be confirmed as soon as possible to secure it for the autumn half-term.
Can the proposed work to be funded delivered within the allocated financial year?	The works being progressed via the contribution from the ACC fund will be completed within the current financial year.
How will progress and the outcome of the project be reported to the ACC to aid effective monitoring?	The lead officer, or a nominated representative, will provide a report, briefing note or verbal update (whichever is preferred by the committee) at ACC meetings.
6. BENEFITS
What are the benefits of undertaking this work now? What opportunities / estimated economic, social or environmental benefits could be derived for the future project outlined above?	The road test will confirm whether the proposed route is feasible, assess interactions with other road users and measure the reaction and demand of residents and visitors during the Autumn half-term (Saturday 26 October – Sunday 3 November 2024). If positive, this work will support future bids for funding to progress this as a longer-term project, which would need to consider purchasing the train, converting it to electric, operating, storing and maintaining it. The introduction of a land train as a longer-term prospect will lead to increased tourism, improved local transportation options, and enhanced economic activity in the area.
AREA COMMITTEE SIGN OFF
ACC Meeting Date When Project Scope Agreed			Draft Minute Number
Signed (ACC Chairman)			Date