A campaign group’s challenge against North Yorkshire Council’s transformation scheme has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

The Get Away campaign group had appealed against four of the scheme’s traffic regulation orders, which seek to implement one way traffic arrangements, a short section of combined bus and cycle lane, and turning restrictions near Harrogate railway and bus stations.

However, the Court of Appeal last Thursday ruled that the council had acted lawfully and within its powers relating to highways and traffic legislation.

Maintaining an earlier High Court ruling, the three grounds of appeal were rejected, with the judgement finding that further public consultation before creating the traffic regulation orders would not have been necessary.

It also found that the decision-making of the council was ‘sound, properly reasoned and based on relevant considerations, with no evidence that councillors were misled or that material issues were ignored’, according to a statement published last Thursday.

The Transforming Cities Fund scheme aims to redevelop the town centres of Harrogate, Selby, and Skipton, delivering improved access to and affordability of public transport, as well as increasing educational and economic opportunities.

Executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, welcomed the court’s decision, commenting: ‘While our costs are recouped from the applicant, we have wasted a significant amount of time and energy on these two unjustified appeals.

‘This would have been better focussed on delivering a scheme that is about improving access, safety and reliability for everyone using this key part of Harrogate, and has broad support in the town.’

Lord Justice Lewis said ‘there was nothing irrational or unlawful about the way in which the respondent was proceeding’, confirming that ‘the appropriate arrangements for the regulation of traffic in Harrogate is a matter for the local authority to decide’.

The council has confirmed that it intends to begin the project ‘at the earliest opportunity’, with work being undertaken to obtain the required funding.

Get Away has been contacted for comment.