Skipton Projects

Renaissance Market Towns projects in Skipton include:

• Investment corridor - this scheme brings together a range of projects across the town delivered by different organisations which will create a coherent regeneration corridor to maximise investment. Read the Skipton Investment Corridor leaflet for a full list of schemes. The RMT programme has invested in some of the projects identified within the investment corridor:
   - Springs Branch Canal - works to improve the towpath running parallel with the high street. Further work is to be undertaken to improve the ginnels that connect the two.

- Tin Bridge and Weirside Garden - see below, funded through the Rural Target Fund
- Skipton Heritage Partnership Scheme – this scheme has been used to create a Heritage Construction Skills Centre at Craven College for conservation wrought iron and stained glass work. When renovating heritage buildings it can be difficult to secure suitably qualified trades people so this scheme will potentially benefit the wider region as it allows builders to up-skill so they can work on conservation projects. Find out more about this scheme.

• Adventure centre – this project is still in development. It is hoped that the project will create a regional centre of excellence in Skipton, specialising in climbing, caving and high-rope activities.
• Business Initiative District (BID) – following a positive vote (February 2009) Skipton became the first market town in Yorkshire and Humber to have a BID. Local businesses are contributing approximately £600,000 over five years to improve the area in which they trade. Together with Craven District Council, Yorkshire Forward’s RMT programme contributed to the development of the BID. The overall aim is to promote, facilitate and advance the BID area as a better place to invest, work, do business, visit and live and to contribute to the development of Skipton as a vibrant and inclusive community. Projects will be developed by the local businesses and may include improving car parks, developing existing and new festivals, promoting Skipton as a high quality visitor destination, expanding the provision of Christmas lights and providing a well trained and flexible work force. Find out more about this initiative.
• Rural Target Fund - small projects delivered by North Yorkshire County Council, funded by Yorkshire Forward’s RMT programme. These have included: 
   - Tin Bridge - this project made a pedestrian bridge safer. The site was known for anti-social behaviour, and has been made a more pleasant environment and helps to prevent disturbance and nuisance. 

 - Khyber Pass – a well-used pedestrian link within the town.The project provided for the construction of a tarmac footpath between East Castle Street and Greenwood Drive (known locally as the Khyber Pass), the installation of new and improved street lighting along the length of the footpath, the installation of security fencing and lockable gates to prevent unauthorised access from the footpath into surrounding property and adjoining allotment plots, and the provision of handrails to ensure footpath users are able to negotiate the steeper sections of the footpath safely in icy or wet weather.

 - Weirside Gardens - this project was completed in 2 phases and saw an area of long neglected public space in the heart of the town tidied; while at the same time providing some interpretation as is to its historical use and significance. It created an attractive public area for use by residents and visitors, and create space for a public art installation. The second phase of the project involved resurfacing the towpath between the two gardens along the Springs Branch, re-laying stone sets to twelve mooring rings, laying stone sets adjacent to towpath to improve access to boats, painting the existing sluice gate infrastructure, and preparatory work for a new information board.