Traffic is moving as normal in the Harrogate district this morning.

However, drivers should expect planned roadworks to start on some routes in the district.

Roads

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map shows planned temporary lights are due to be put in place on both Hookstone Drive and Leeds Road near Crimple food hall at Pannal.

Both sets of work are being carried out by the county council and are due to remain in place until November 23.

Drivers should be also aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

However, the bus company has announced that the 21 at Goldsborough will be diverted from today due to electrical works on Station Road in the village until December 16.

The service will miss stops towards Knaresborough at Princess Mead, War Memorial and Greystone Farm.

It will also miss stop towards Boroughbridge at Princess Mead, Midgely Land and Nr Roundabout

Government changes to planned investment zones have raised questions over the future of planned renovations at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt this week announced a “refocus” of the initiative and put a halt to all expressions of interest which were submitted – including the convention centre.

It has raised questions over what the future now holds for a £49 million investment project to bring the town’s centre up to scratch.

What is planned?

Harrogate Borough Council unveiled plans back in 2020 to refurbish the town’s convention centre to the tune of £49 million.

The redevelopment plans include a major refurbishment of event areas and upgrades to the venue’s heating and ventilation systems.

There are also plans to create a flexible events space for up to 1,200 people.

Council officials have argued that the investment is needed for the centre to compete with other venues – in particular the looming prospect of a conference centre in Leeds.

Senior Harrogate council officials have gone as far as to warn that the centre could suffer huge losses of £250 million unless a major redevelopment is carried out

The proposals are currently in the final design stage with a decision expected to be taken next summer by the new North Yorkshire Council – which will take ownership of the venue in April.

However, questions still surround paying for the work.

How will it be funded?

Council bosses had previously submitted proposals to government to help fund the project as part of a £540 million devolution deal.

However, ministers turn down the plans, to the dismay of local leaders.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret following the decision that he shared the disappointment of others, such as Harrogate Borough Council leader Cllr Richard Cooper, about the lack of funding.

He said:

“We did put a request for the Harrogate Convention Centre in the asks which were submitted to government.

“Harrogate sent officers to present the case, but the message from civil servants was that it should not be included.

“I share Richard’s disappointment, but we were given a clear steer and we are supporting Harrogate in that.”

A separate bid for £20 million from the government’s levelling up fund has been made for the venue, but Harrogate is ranked as a low priority area in the fund.

Read more:

• Council explores move to protect Harrogate Convention Centre with limited company status
• Working group set up to steer future of Harrogate Convention Centre

The uncertainty over funding has also led to a working group being set up to help steer the future of the venue as it approaches a crucial time in its 40-year history.

Senior officials and councillors from Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council will come together to discuss the convention centre’s £49 million redevelopment plan and how it could be funded, as well as how the venue should be run in the future.

It has also previously been suggested that a limited company could be set up to take over the day-to-day business of the venue.

The chancellor’s announcement is the latest stumbling block to be put in front of the project.

Funding the multi-million pound project and heeding the warning that the centre needs to be competitive is proving to be a hurdle for local officials.

However, it is a hurdle that council leaders will need to clear over the next 12 months if they wish to keep the project alive.

The clock is ticking.

A former Harrogate councillor has been awarded Honorary Alderman status for North Yorkshire after 25 years of service.

Cliff Trotter, who represented Pannal and Lower Wharfdale on North Yorkshire County Council, served on the authority from 1997 until 2022.

The Conservative councillor also served as chairman of the county council in 2012.

He was one of six councillors who received the award at a meeting on Wednesday.

Mr Trotter, who has since retired from the council on medical advice, spoke of “honour” in accepting the award, adding his “time on the council has been really enjoyable”.

He was presented with the honour by deputy chairman of the council, Cllr David Ireton.

Read more:

• Government grants needed to help finances, says county council leader
• North Yorkshire to tackle housing crisis with second homes charge

The position of Honorary Alderman has parity of status with a past Mayor, enabling those who receive the title to be invited to the same civic functions and events

Mr Trotter joined former councillors John Blackie, Caroline Patmore, Peter Sowray MBE, Val Arnold and Helen Swiers in receiving the honour.

Jill McMullon, partner of the late Mr Blackie, accepted the honour on his behalf.

In total, the councillors served for nearly 150 years on the county council.

Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: 

“With a combined service of almost 150 years, these six councillors have spent a major part of their lives working to champion their local communities and causes close to their hearts.

“John Blackie’s legacy lives on in the Upper Dales and in the minds of myself and other councillors who had the privilege of working alongside him. He worked tirelessly to ensure that local services continue to be delivered despite the pressures that rural communities face.

“It’s testament to their drive and commitment as ward councillors that the retiring members have been awarded Honorary Aldermen titles.”

Fire crews were called to a kitchen fire in Ripon yesterday.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue received the call to flats on the city’s Blossomgate at 3.17pm.

A woman who lived in the flat was treated for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.

Crews from Ripon and Harrogate attended the kitchen fire. North Yorkshire Police and paramedics were also on the scene.

An incident log from the fire service said:

“Ripon and Harrogate crews attended a kitchen fire. Two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet was used.

“Female occupant was treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics on the scene.”

Read more:

• Firefighters called to sauna fire at Rudding spa
• ‘Harrogate firefighters being used as guinea pigs’, says union

Harrogate hospital bosses have given assurances that a ‘robust plan’ is in place for winter as it faces increased demand.

The hospital says it expects to face further pressures from seasonal flu, covid and staff absences.

It also faces long waiting lists for operations and high demand at accident and emergency.

However, a spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the organisation has put a plan in place to cope with demand.

It comes as NHS chiefs wrote to health bosses across the country this week conceding that some hospitals may struggle to cope this winter.

‘Robust winter plan’

In Harrogate, the hospital is currently dealing with a 90% bed occupancy rate, high demand at A&E and a long waiting list for operations.

A spokesperson for HDFT said despite some of the winter pressures, a plan was in place to help maintain services for patients.

They said:

“We have faced and dealt with significant challenges over the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our recovery from it – in particular, reducing our waiting lists and waiting times for treatment.

“We will undoubtedly face further challenges in the months ahead as winter is always a busy time of the year as we deal with a variety of seasonal infections such as flu, in addition to all other regular activity.

“The trust has a robust winter plan in place to ensure we are able to maintain our services so that our patients’ care is not disrupted and all areas are staffed to safe levels and monitored throughout all shifts.

“During the winter period, staff absences at the trust can create pressure for our teams; for instance, fewer nursing and medical staff means that whilst we are still able to treat our patients for their illness or condition and ensure their safety, we are sometimes not able to provide the level of holistic support that we would like.

“Currently, bed occupancy at our hospitals is around 90%. Due to the increased number of planned operations that are being performed we have more patients occupying beds following their surgery.

“However, bed occupancy is also impacted by patients who no longer require hospital care, but are unable to be discharged as they do not have a suitable location where they can continue their recovery, such as a residential care home, or appropriate home care to support them in their own homes.”

Read more:

• Harrogate hospital plans new £14m operating theatres
• Hospital ‘not anticipating’ service cuts due to energy price surge
• Harrogate hospital staff selling days off to cope with cost of living crisis

The trust has already sought to introduce a home care service to free up beds and has trialled an emergency department streaming service for less serious injuries and illnesses at A&E.

The hospital also continues to urge people to call 111 for non-urgent illnesses.

It comes as NHS chiefs, regulators and Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, wrote to hospital bosses this week reassuring them that staff would not face disciplinary action if care standards fell due to “significantly increased national pressure”.

The letter said:

“In such challenging times, when you may need to depart from established procedures to care for people, we understand some could be fearful that they will be referred to your regulator. 

“Please be assured that your professional code and principles of practice are there to guide and support your judgments and decision-making in all circumstances. 

“This includes taking into account local realities and the need at times to adapt practice at times of significantly increased national pressure.”

There is uncertainty over the future of planned investment zones in the Harrogate district after the government announced it will “change its approach” on the policy.

Three sites were earmarked in the district for the zones, which were a key policy under former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s administration.

The sites include junction 47 of the A1 near Knaresborough, business park Potter Space Ripon at junction 50 of the A1, and Harrogate Convention Centre.

The government said previously that the zones, which would have received liberalised planning laws and tax incentives for businesses, would support economic growth.

However, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt yesterday announced in his autumn statement that the scheme would be focused towards research.

He said:

“I will also change our approach to investment zones which will now focus on leveraging our research strengths, to help build clusters for our new growth industries.

“My right honourable friend the Levelling Up Secretary will work with mayors, devolved administrations and local partners to achieve that with the first decisions announced ahead of the spring budget.”

According to Treasury documents, the government intends to “refocus the investment zones programme” and use it to “catalyse a limited number of the highest potential knowledge-intensive growth clusters”.

The document added that, as a result, the expressions of interests submitted by councils “will therefore not be taken forward”.

The news comes after Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, admitted on Wednesday that he did not expect the zones to progress.

Read more:

• Harrogate district planning rules could be ‘radically streamlined’
• Harrogate Convention Centre ‘could lose £250 million without investment’
• Revealed: the three Harrogate district sites that could become investment zones

The county council was named as one of 38 local authorities in talks with the government over creating investment zones back in September.

The authority then earmarked 12 commercial sites as part of an expression of interest for the scheme.

However, Cllr Les told councillors at a meeting on Wednesday that he did not expect the initiative to go any further.

He said:

“I have to say I don’t think that investment zones are going to proceed.

“The Secretary of State is reviewing them and they will not go forward.”

Commuters travelling to London King’s Cross from Harrogate will need to travel to Leeds to board the service due to train repairs.

Roads

Drivers should be also aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Commuters travelling to London King’s Cross on the 11.36 service will need to travel to Leeds to board the service.

LNER has announced that due to more trains than usual needing repairs, the service will start from Leeds Station.

⚠️#LNERUpdate Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time the 11:36 #Harrogate to #KingsCross due 14:31 will be started from #Leeds
Customers from Harrogate should use Northern services between Harrogate and Leeds and change for the next available LNER service

— London North Eastern Railway (@LNER) November 18, 2022

Passengers will need to use a Northern service on the Harrogate line to get to the station.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

Read more:

• Cycling consultation event highlights Harrogate’s deep divide
• New call for action on Ripon eyesore site

Calls have been made for North Yorkshire to consider keeping local taxi licence zones amid a proposal to move to a single policy.

Cllr Andrew Williams, county councillor for Ripon Minster and Moorside, called for assurances that council officials would look at retaining local licensing zones after concern from cabbies.

Under proposals already put forward, the new North Yorkshire Council would create a single licensing policy for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in the entire county.

It would mean drivers in Harrogate could operate anywhere in North Yorkshire, whereas they are currently restricted to the Harrogate district.

Cllr Williams told a council meeting yesterday that local drivers had raised concern that the changes would lead to taxis flocking to areas during high demand, such as a large event, leaving customers in other areas struggling to get a cab.

He said:

“I have been approached by taxi drivers who I represent who are very concerned that any form of deregulation could lead to problems in terms of actually being able to get a taxi because taxi drivers will move from rank to rank depending on when there is a busy day in a certain locality.”

Read more:

• No increase in wheelchair accessible taxis in Harrogate district
• Taxi licensing changes will cause ‘chaos’, says Ripon cabbie
• New council plans single taxi licensing for North Yorkshire

Cllr Williams added that fare rates for the entire county should be based on the highest charged otherwise drivers could lose out on income.

The council said previously that fares for hackney carriages would be reviewed at a later date.

In response, Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said that all views submitted to a consultation over the changes would be considered.

He said:

“I think they are all valid points.

“Hopefully they will all come out in that consultation and then we will make the decisions when we have heard what people have actually said.”

Changes will cause “chaos”

The move to propose a single licensing policy has caused concern for cabbies in the Harrogate district.

Richard Fieldman, who has operated his cab in Ripon for 28 years, told the Stray Ferret previously that the planned changes would see drivers “swamp” areas during the busiest times of day.

Mr Fieldman said the move would see quieter areas deprived of taxis during the busier times.

He said:

“It will mean that any taxi can work in any area.

“You are going to have swamps of taxis in busy areas at busy times. That in itself brings chaos.”

A consultation into the policy changes is open until January 19, 2023. You can have your say here.

More measures are needed to help North Yorkshire County Council’s finances despite support from government on council tax, says the leader of the authority.

Cllr Carl Les said the council needed grants from central government in order to help balance its books.

His comments come as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce an increase in the threshold in which authorities can increase council tax by without a local referendum.

Currently, the threshold is 2.99% – but Mr Hunt is expected to hike this to 5% in today’s autumn statement.

Cllr Les told a meeting of the county council yesterday that while the measure would be welcomed, more support would be needed.

He said:

“It will give us flexibility, but I don’t think that it’s the only leaver that we need to pull.

“Government grants has got to be part of that answer as well.”

The move comes as county council leaders warned in June that the upcoming North Yorkshire Council could face a blackhole of £50 million in its finances.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire Council faces £50m black hole, says finance boss
• North Yorkshire to tackle housing crisis with second homes charge

Cllr Gareth Dadd, executive member for finance at the county council, said the situation was largely due to deficits it will inherit from district councils and high inflation.

The new unitary authority will replace Harrogate Borough Council, the county council and the remaining six districts.

Although he did not estimate the total structural deficits that the seven second tier authorities, including Harrogate Borough Council, would have accumulated by the time the new council is launched in April, he said it was believed it would be “substantial”.

It has been estimated the combined ongoing deficits of the district and borough councils could be in the region of £10 million.

In addition, ahead of the recent increasing inflation rate the county authority had been prepared to cover a deficit of up to £20 million.

With inflationary pressures, which include the council’s gas and electricity bill rising by some £3m, it is believed the total deficit could nearly reach £50 million.

Cllr Dadd said at the time:

“That is a frightening figure, but nonetheless, I think we are right to raise that at this stage.”

The Harrogate district is braced for heavy rain today as a weather warning has been issued.

The Met Office has put a yellow warning in place for rain across much of northern England until midnight.

It says that the adverse weather may affect public transport and possibly cause flooding.

The warning says:

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.

“Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

“Should flooding occur, delays or cancellations to train and bus services are likely.”

The warning covers much of the district including Harrogate, Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Heavy rain and a moderate breeze is forecast throughout the day in the district.

Read more:

• Campaign launched to achieve bathing water status on River Nidd
• Meeting called to hear concerns about state of River Nidd