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		Starbeck and Belmont Level Crossing
Description of Project Location		Harrogate
NYC Division(s) in which the project is located		Harrogate
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?		The aim of this project is to gather evidence for building a case for improvements for traffic movement through Starbeck crossing and to identify the potential barrier down time reduction in Starbeck and Belmont crossings. Data collected at the Starbeck crossing in 2019, shows that during the AM and PM peak periods (07:30-09:30 and 16:30-18:30) the gates remain closed for 35 minutes on an average, resulting in almost 25-30% loss in capacity along this corridor. There were 37 down time occurrences between 7am and 7pm, average down time of 4m 26s, longest down time of 7m 7s, significantly reducing the traffic flow and causing long delays for road users. The resultant queue not only leads to wasted time at the crossing but has also forced traffic to search for other viable alternate routes to travel between Harrogate and Knaresborough. This also affects key bus routes and emergency vehicles. Currently, the council does not have a robust way of monitoring the traffic and barriers down times. This project includes: · Installation of ANPR monitoring equipment sensor to work with existing sensor on A59 to collect journey times information split by mode; · Installation of air quality monitoring equipment (as suggested during discussion with members in September)
Please detail what specific costs the budget will be spent on?		The total cost of the project is currently estimated to be £15,000 (for one traffic and one air quality measuring sensor installed at Starbeck crossing. Each sensor costs in the region of £7,500.
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 improvement to traffic movement in the Starbeck area, including discussion with Network Rail and Northern to improve signalling infrastructure.
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 North Yorkshire Council Plan supports well-connected and planned places with good transport links and clean and environmentally sustainable and attractive places to live, work and visit. One of the council’s priorities is to encourage and support sustainable living in our communities and towns as well as the transport in between, including access to public transport that meets the needs of the user and promoting and encouraging active travel including walking, wheeling and cycling. The Council will also seek improvements to connectivity, support and encourage an effective and efficient public transport network that meets the user needs and to maintain safe and functional highways and to seize opportunities to improve the network. Pillar 2 of the North Yorkshire’s Economic Growth Strategy supports investments in infrastructure and future-proofing the transport system. Improving the frequency and reliability of public transport is a vital component of the Council’s carbon negative ambitions.
3. LOCAL FIT
Detail how this project meets local priorities including linkages with local regeneration plans and strategies.		Gathering traffic data will help in understanding the patterns of congestion caused by rail crossings, especially during peak hours. This information will be used to optimize traffic signal timing, reroute traffic, or design alternative routes to reduce waiting times. The project will support the North Yorkshire Council’s Local Transport Plan by providing data to develop plans to help reduce congestion in Harrogate and improve traffic flow.
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 £15,000 for one traffic measuring sensor and one air quality measuring sensor installed at Starbeck crossing.
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		This project will be led by the Transport Planning Team. The Transport Planning Team leader has confirmed capacity and resource to complete this project.
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.
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?		Gathering traffic and air quality data will help in understanding the patterns of congestion caused by rail crossings, especially during peak hours. This information will be used to optimize traffic signal timing, reroute traffic, or design alternative routes to reduce waiting times. It will also assist in future discussion with Network Rail and Northern to minimise the impact of crossings in this area of Harrogate. Accurate data will also support applications for funding or grants aimed at reducing pollution and improving transportation infrastructure.
AREA COMMITTEE SIGN OFF
ACC Meeting Date When Project Scope Agreed	28/11/2024			Draft Minute Number
Signed (ACC Chairman)				Date