Opening up the view from Viaduct Terrace alongside Knaresborough's famous and much photographed riverside, the £150,000 project is the latest to be completed by Renaissance Knaresborough.

Its town team has been working alongside Harrogate Borough Council on the scheme to improve the waterside viewing platform.

Funded in part with financial support from Yorkshire Forward's Renaissance Market Town programme, the project is part of a larger scheme known locally as "improving the offer."

Gordon Renton, Chair of Renaissance Knaresborough, welcomed all those who have been involved in the project before inviting the Mayor of Knaresborough, Coun Pam Godsell, to cut the ribbon.

He said: "The riverside is popular with all ages, from toddlers wanting to feed the ducks, to young people taking out a boat and all ages wanting to while away an hour or two in a tranquil setting.
"We are so pleased with the result. Knaresborough has always been a popular tourist destination and we certainly believe that this scheme has 'improved' what we have to offer.

"There does seem to be a growing trend for people to spend more time holidaying in their own country and we are ready to welcome them."

Local firm Houseman and Falshaw was chosen to carry out the contract which was managed by Harrogate Borough Council's Chief Engineer, Ray Wade.

Ray says he has worked on projects valued at many millions of pounds but this is one of the nicest he has been in charge of.

He said: "Knaresborough is a beautiful historic town and everyone was keen to see a high standard of design and use of the very best of materials.
"This is a really stylish scheme and we are grateful to local people who helped us develop the design."