North Yorkshire Council

 

Thirsk & Malton Area Committee

 

13 June 2025

 

Area Committee Development Fund Update

 

 

1.0       PURPOSE OF REPORT

 

1.1       To update Members of the Thirsk & Malton Area Committee on the use of previously approved Economic, Regeneration, Tourism and Transport Project Development Fund allocations.

 

 

 

2.0       BACKGROUND

 

2.1       A previous report to the (then) Area Constituency Committee (ACC) on 22 March 2024 set out the background to the Economic, Regeneration, Tourism and Transport Project Development Fund (the “Development Fund”), its scope, and the process for allocation for funding.  In summary, the purpose of the fund was to stimulate and directly support a pipeline of locally important economic, regeneration and tourism destination development projects that would benefit from existing and future funding and delivery opportunities within the respective Areas.

 

2.2       The £50k Development Fund allocation for 2023/24 was previously rolled forward into 2024/25.  Together with the £50k allocation for 2024/25, this gave an overall amount of £100k available within 2024/25.

 

2.3       The Area Committee endorsed an allocation to the Malton - Helmsley (via Hovingham and Kirkbymoorside) Active Travel Route Development on 24 March 2024 [referred to as the Market Town Circular].  Allocations were also endorsed to the following projects by the Area Committee on 27 September 2024, however, Members resolved: “That officers take forward the remaining projects and ... progress those that are deliverable up to the remaining value of the Fund.”  This reflected the fact that the total cost of these projects exceeded the remaining Development Fund budget and also that various Members had indicated a willingness to contribute from their Locality Budgets:

i)      Castlegate Regeneration and strategic greenspace improvements (Malton)

ii)     Malton 2nd rail platform

iii)   Pedestrian crossing scoping work (Malton)

iv)   Kirkbymoorside mini ‘town boost’ support

v)    Borogate Toilet Refurbishment (Helmsley)

 

 

3.0       SubjecT of Report

 

3.1       Following the above endorsements, the Corporate Director for Community Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Open to Business, approved individual project funding allocations.  These amounts, and other project funding allocations, are set out in Appendix 1.  This report provides an update on the outcomes of the above projects.

 

3.2       Path4Everyone / Market Town Circular

3.3       Consultants were appointed to carry out a feasibility study to investigate the viability and potential costs of developing a circular, multi-use, active travel route that links Malton, Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering. The study details that there are a number of viable options to deliver a complete and coherent route which would deliver significant non-monetised benefits, however, as expected delivery of the entire route comes with a significant cost. The study breaks the route down into smaller, more deliverable sections so that fundraising efforts can be focused on one section at a time and delivery of the entire route becomes achievable over time. NYC Officers are working closely with local stakeholder groups to prioritise options for delivery and develop proposals for next steps.

 

3.4       Castlegate Regeneration and strategic greenspace improvements (Malton/Norton)

3.5       Consultants were appointed to develop regeneration and enhancement proposals for Castlegate and nearby green spaces that would improve these key areas that link Malton, Norton, and Old Malton.  This work has included:

·         developing a strategic case for change 

·         costings and deliverability of each option 

·         key stakeholder consultation 

·         prioritised delivery plan 

 

3.6       Key stakeholder consultation sessions were undertaken on 03 February and public engagement events were held in Norton and Malton on 13 March and feedback from this has been incorporated in the final report (copies of which have been shared with local members and key stakeholder representatives).

 

3.7       Follow up work will be needed to identify detailed technical constraints, options, undertake design development, and further public consultation.  Opportunities for funding and progressing this work will be considered as part of the Town Investment Plan works for the towns (currently in the early stages and due to be complete in 2026).

 

3.8       Malton 2nd rail platform

3.9       Network Rail were commissioned to investigate potential concept options for a potential second platform at Malton Station, together with constraints, risks etc and to engage with internal Network Rail stakeholders as part of this process. This work builds upon initial work undertaken for a previous Levelling Up Fund bid, which was ultimately unsuccessful (partly due to limited stakeholder engagement). 

 

3.10     The study was completed at the beginning of April and identifies various options for location and layout of a second platform.  The very early indicative cost range of the identified options is between £11.5m and £28.5m.

 

3.11     The study represents a very early stage in project development and further discussions will be needed between Officers of Network Rail, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and North Yorkshire Council, to consider the most appropriate option/s to progress, next steps, and potential funding availability for further design development.  Opportunities for funding and progressing this will also be considered as part of the Town Investment Plan works for the towns.

 

3.12     The proposal for a second platform should be viewed in the context of the recently announced “Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail”, which has been jointly developed by the three combined authorities for West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and York & North Yorkshire and was launched by Lord Blunkett on 16 May 2025.  The plan highlights the need for station upgrades at Malton, Seamer and Scarborough.

 

3.13     Pedestrian crossing scoping work (Malton)

3.14     With the contributions from Locality budgets and the Malton & Norton Infrastructure and Connectivity budget this work could proceed without a need for Area Committee funding.   

 

3.15     Two pedestrian crossing feasibility / scoping studies were undertaken: one for the B1257 Broughton Road (near Malton Community Sports Centre) and one for the B1248 Yorkersgate (near the pedestrian exit to Water Lane).  In brief, the conclusions were as follows:

 

3.16     B1257, Broughton Road – the existing uncontrolled pedestrian crossing facilities were considered to operate satisfactorily.  Pedestrian flows are low throughout most of the day with short peaks of 117 pedestrians in the AM peak hour and 155 pedestrians in the PM peak hour. Traffic flows are observed to be steady with compliance to the signed speed limit. On the basis of collision history in this location, existing pedestrian movements and average wait times to cross, there is currently no technical justification for the introduction of a controlled facility such as a zebra or signal controlled crossing.

 

3.17     B1248, Yorkersgate – the report indicated that the introduction of a formal signalised crossing could be beneficial to improve pedestrian priority, however, the Councils Traffic Signals Team have commented that they did not consider it would be possible, at that distance, for a wireless or physical link and a controlled crossing would have a negative impact on the Yorkersgate approach to Butcher Corner. They advise that this is the leg which they receive the most complaints about with claims that it regularly queues back to the junction with Horsemarket Rd. A crossing would add to the existing yellow box in providing an additional area where vehicles cannot park. This would create much bigger gaps in traffic and would delay vehicles approaching the loops, which are providing data to the traffic signals controller which makes the decisions on where to apply the green time. The bigger the gaps, the more likely it is to run shorter greens. The footways are also narrow at this location and the abundance of underground services would make it problematic to position the necessary equipment associated with a controlled crossing.

 

3.18     The Highways Area Improvement Manager has indicated that he will investigate the possibility of providing an informal crossing facility, with dropped kerbs and tactile paving, to allow for safer crossing for those who already cross informally and to allow for crossing in line with wayfinding signage.  Funding for this work would need to be allocated with 2026/27 the likely earliest date for implementation.

 

3.19     Separately to the above funded works, a previously designed zebra crossing is planned to be installed in summer 2025 on Railway Street (subject to consultation).

 

3.20     Kirkbymoorside mini ‘town boost’ support

3.21     Consultants were appointed to work with business and community representatives to complete a feasibility study and develop an action plan for the town aiming to:

·         Improve the appeal, usage and performance of the town centre

·         Improve footfall and consumer dwell time in the town centre

·         Improve the overall appeal of it of the town centre, including its impact, visibility and accessibility for residents and visitors

·         Provide a set of actions that can be implemented as and when funds are available, including any short-term quick win actions that can be implemented within current budget parameters / at no or little cost

·         Identify the best delivery mechanism for individual or collective actions and the optimum governance structure for the future town centre management and growth actions

 

3.22     The work involved local engagement with local businesses and stakeholders.  The completed study concludes with a Recommended Action Plan for Growth with a broad range of recommendations under a number of themes, including improving the Market offer, improving shopping and visitor experience, increasing the collective benefit of existing assets and attractions, and improving marketing and promotion.

 

3.23     The next steps are for Officers from Economic Development and Localities to work with the local representatives to support them with establishing a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) or similar organisation to develop and implement some of the recommendations.

 

3.24     Borogate Public Conveniences Refurbishment (Helmsley)

3.25     Contractors were appointed to undertake a limited internal refurbishment of the public conveniences (including replacement of urinals, new wall and floor finishes in the vicinity, new handrails in the disabled toilet to improve the experience for visitors to the town.  The works were completed successfully by the end of the financial year.  During initial condition survey works, it was identified that additional property maintenance work (including roof repairs) are required.  These works were beyond the budget available at the time but will be undertaken when budgets allow.  The recent AC and Locality Budget funded works should not be affected as part of any follow-up work.

 

3.26     Future Project Development Work

3.27     As part of the 2025/26 budget setting process, on 17 February 2025, Council decided not to make budgetary provision for the Development Fund in 2025/26 and future years.  

 

3.28     Funding for future project development work will need to be secured from other sources such as internal budgets (e.g. the Economic Development Regeneration and Skills General Fund budget) or via external grant funding.  It is expected that the Town Investment Plans, which Officers will be developing for each town, will be used to inform the priorities for such work.

 

 

4.0

RECOMMENDATION

 

 

i)     It is recommended that the Thirsk & Malton Area Committee notes the update on the Area Committee’s Project Development Fund allocations.

 

 

 

 

Nic Harne

Corporate Director – Community Development

 

Report Author – Howard Wallis

Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.  

Appendix 1 – Agreed Area Committee and Locality Budget Contributions

 

 

Locality Budget Contributions

Other Funding

Project

Total
Project
Value

AC Fund Contribution

Total Locality & Other Funding

Cllr Burr

Cllr Jabbour

Cllr Mason

Cllr White

M&NIC Budget

Paths4Everyone /

Market Town Circular

£24,952

£24,952

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Castlegate Regeneration Feasibility

£25,000

 £22,100

 £2,900

 £1,567

 £1,000

 £333

N/A

N/A

Malton 2nd Rail Station Stakeholder Engagement

£20,000

 £17,100

 £2,900

 £1,567

 £1,000

 £333

N/A

N/A

Pedestrian Crossing Scoping

£6,000

 N/A

 £6,000

 £1,666

 £1,000

 £334

N/A

 £3,000

Kirkbymoorside Mini-Town Boost

£12,000

 £10,000

 £2,000

N/A

N/A

N/A

 £2,000

N/A

Borogate Toilet Refurbishment

£30,848

 £25,848

 £5,000

N/A

 £5,000

N/A 

N/A

N/A

Totals

£118,800

£100,000

 £18,800

 £4,800

 £8,000

 £1,000

 £2,000

 £3,000