Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

North Yorkshire bus funding ‘cannot continue in perpetuity’, warns senior councillor

A senior county councillor has warned that funding designed to save under-threat bus services in North Yorkshire “cannot continue in perpetuity”.

The Department for Transport recently announced an extension of the £2 cap on bus fares plus £80 million worth of grants to routes at risk of being reduced or scrapped.

The move comes as the 24 services from Pateley Bridge to Harrogate was recently saved until April next year.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for transport at North Yorkshire County Council, said that extra government funding was welcome and the council would look to target it at services in need of support.

However, he added that the funding would not continue in perpetuity.

He said:

“News of the £2 bus fare cap extension and additional £80million support package is very welcome. These measures will be vital to the council’s ongoing efforts to protect bus services through this difficult period.

“Exact details of how much funding we will receive is expected shortly and we will ensure this is targeted at services in need of support.

“While this extra funding will act as a critical lifeline to at-risk services at a time when passengers numbers are down and costs are up, we know funding cannot continue in perpetuity.

“Passengers remain key to the long-term viability of services, and we must use the coming months to work with operators to promote services and invest in the marketing, ticketing and infrastructure needed to encourage more people to choose the bus.

“It is only by doing this that we will have a sustainable network of services, responsive to passenger needs and free from the uncertainty that comes with long-term reliance on taxpayer funding.”

Cllr Duncan has previously warned that up to 79 services faced reduced frequency or ceasing altogether when central government funding comes to an end in March.

The comments come as the county council negotiated funding to secure the 24 bus route between Pateley Bridge and Harrogate until April next year.

Transdev, which operates the service, had initially planned to withdraw most services on the route.

Minister ‘open’ to inflation funding discussions for A59 Kex Gill

Ministers are open to discussions over funding should a major realignment for the A59 at Kex Gill hit further inflationary pressures.

Richard Holden, the minister for roads, told the Stray Ferret that he believed the government had struck a “sensible deal” with North Yorkshire County Council for the £69 million scheme.

Mr Holden visited the Kex Gill site along with officials from the county council this morning.

It comes as the Department for Transport gave the final go-ahead for the project today, which will see the road rerouted.

The move comes as the project has been beset by delays and mounting costs due to inflation.

However, work now look sets to start in April on the scheme — three months after the council’s most recent anticipated start date.

When asked if the government would step in should the project face rising costs, Mr Holden said:

“We have done a sensible deal with them [the council], we did not want to sign anything before it was all ready.

“Obviously, there have been inflationary pressures across construction particularly the last few years.

“I hope we don’t need to get to that point, but I think we have got a good project team here who are going to keep costs under control working with National Highways.

“I think we are in a good place, but obviously discussions are always open when it comes to money.”

The scheme has faced numerous delays and, following tender returns, the estimated cost of the scheme increased by £7.2 million to £68.8 million, which the council attributed to inflation affecting constructions costs.

The project will be funded by a £56.1 million grant from the Department for Transport, with the council covering the rest from its reserves.

A further £11 million has been factored into the budget to cover any issues with ground conditions or bad weather.

The Kex Gill realignment site, which is set for construction.

Irish civil engineering and construction firm John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd has been appointed to build the road.

Speaking following the announcement, Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways, said:

“This is really the culmination of seven years worth of work to get to this stage.

“It’s very welcome that we are now able to proceed.”

The A59 at Kex Gill, near Blubberhouses, is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. Since 2000, the route has been closed 12 times following landslips.

The estimated completion date for the scheme is May 2025.

Pictured above (left to right) council leader Cllr Carl Les, minister for roads Richard Holden, and Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways.

Government gives final go-ahead for £69m Kex Gill reroute to start

The government has given the final go-ahead for work to start on a £69 million realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill.

Officials at the Department for Transport have signed off on North Yorkshire County Council’s business case, which will see the landslip-hit road re-routed west of Blubberhouses.

The move comes as the project has been beset by delays and mounting costs due to inflation.

However, work now look sets to start in April on the scheme — three months after the council’s most recent anticipated start date.

Richard Holden, the government’s roads minister, said:

“Making journeys safer, faster and more reliable for motorists to reduce travel times and help grow the economy is vital.

“The new route at Kex Gill will benefit businesses across the North of England and local towns and villages nearby by boosting economic growth, enhancing connectivity and putting an end to disruptive road closures.

“Investing in projects like this to provide long-term improvements shows how the government is committed to levelling up transport links with long-term sustainable solutions.”

The scheme has faced numerous delays and following tender returns, the estimated cost of the scheme increased by £7.2 million to £68.8 million, which the council attributed to inflation affecting constructions costs.

The project will be funded by a £56.1 million grant from the Department for Transport, with the council covering the rest from its reserves.

A further £11 million has been factored into the £68 million budget to cover any issues with ground conditions or bad weather.

The council had previously earmarked groundworks on the project to start in January, but was awaiting sign-off from government on a full business case.

Irish civil engineering and construction firm John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd has been appointed to build the road.

Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways, said:

“It is welcome news that the government has given us the final go-ahead to begin construction. The re-alignment of Kex Gill will undoubtedly be one of the council’s most ambitious ever highways projects.

“The A59 provides a very important east-west connection in North Yorkshire and is of national significance. We remain committed to completing the scheme as quickly as possible and in the most cost-effective way.”

The A59 at Kex Gill, near Blubberhouses, is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. Since 2000, the route has been closed 12 times following landslips.

The estimated completion date for the scheme is May 2025.

Man released on bail after alleged robbery and sexual assault in Harrogate

A man has been released on bail following an alleged robbery and sexual assault in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police arrested a man in his 20s after an incident on Bogs Lane on Wednesday, February 15. Officers said a woman had sustained facial injuries.

Police have now confirmed that a man has been released on bail and inquiries are ongoing. No charges have been made.

After the incident, officers said people in the Bogs Lane area might see an increased police presence as investigations continue.

Local cabbies predict ‘disaster’ as new single taxi zone created

Senior county councillors have backed creating a single taxi zone for North Yorkshire, despite concern from local drivers.

North Yorkshire County Council will introduce a single hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy from the spring.

The existing seven district councils, including Harrogate, currently have their own hackney carriage and private hire licensing policies. However, under the new policy, drivers will be able to operate in any area of the county.

At an executive meeting yesterday, senior county councillors approved the move towards a single licensing policy.

Councillors also backed a move to carry out a review of how it could increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles within the county.

Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for growth at the authority, told the meeting said:

“What North Yorkshire wants to have is the best, safest and most accessible taxi service for its residents.

“I recognise, as the trade points out to us, that they are an essential part of accessible travel in a rural county.”

Meanwhile, Cllr David Chance, executive councillor for corporate services, proposed waiving licence fees for new wheelchair-accessible vehicles and for renewals in order to incentivise more drivers to come forward.

He said:

“Given that we wish to demonstrate the council’s commitment to increasing the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles in both the short and longer term, I’m going to suggest that we consider waiving the licence fee for new wheelchair accessible vehicles and relicensed wheelchair accessible vehicles in the lead up to finalising our policy on the matter.

“That would be done through the inclusive service plan. This would incentivise the retention of existing wheelchair accessible vehicles by the trade, but also offer an immediate incentive to those considering the purchase of new vehicles.”

‘A disaster’

However, the policy has come under criticism from local drivers who said the move was not supported by the trade during a consultation.

Fifty-two per cent of respondents disagreed with the key proposal of introducing a single zone for North Yorkshire, which would allow cabbies to operate across the county rather than only in their districts. However, the idea still looks set to go ahead.

Richard Fieldman, who owns Ripon firm A1 Cars and runs a Facebook group that includes 52 taxi drivers in Ripon and Harrogate, said:

“Making it one zone will mean that at peak times drivers will target hotspots, such as Harrogate on a Saturday night, and leave rural areas with no taxis. It’s common sense that people will drive to maximise their earning potential.

“It will be a disaster for us and a disaster for people who live in quieter areas because they won’t be able to get a taxi at busy times.

“The same policy has been tried in other areas and it just leads to some streets being swamped with taxis so it’s bad for other road users as well.”

Council bids for £3m for cycling projects in Harrogate and Knaresborough

North Yorkshire County Council is set to bid for £3.19 million from the government to help fund two cycling schemes in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at the council, confirmed that the authority had approved a submission for the funding from tranche four of the Department for Transport’s active travel fund.

The county council has been allocated £1.08 million of funding, although it has been invited to bid for an additional £2.16 million.

It will see the funding go towards improvements to public spaces, pedestrian crossings and segregated cycleways on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate.

Segregated cycling lanes would be created on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate.

This would use the full £1.08 million of the tranche four funding already awarded and would require a further £492,000 from the remaining tranche two funds. The Victoria Avenue project is described by the council as its ‘priority scheme’.

A further scheme would see segregated cycle lanes created in Knaresborough at a cost of £1.65 million. They would be created on the A59 Forest Lane Head/Harrogate Road starting around Maple Close toward Knaresborough, ending close to Knaresborough High Bridge.

The council has said this would “deliver improved crossing facilities to link existing cycle routes, Knaresborough town centre and the railway station”.

Today’s announcement appears to amount to the council reviving previously announced plans to improve cycling on Victoria Avenue and the A59 at Knaresborough — if it can secure funding.

The council has also earmarked a scheme in Richmond as part of the bid.

Cllr Duncan said:

“We want to enable more people in North Yorkshire to have the option of safely and conveniently walking, wheeling and riding.

“Our latest bid, worth more than £3 million, is another significant milestone in our efforts to deliver a more balanced approach to travel in the county, which will reduce emissions, cut congestion and promote healthier lifestyles.

“The new infrastructure in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Richmond would significantly improve road safety and unlock an estimated 579 additional walking and cycling trips per day.

“The bid builds on our efforts to encourage more sustainable travel, which in recent years has seen us secure more than £55m of central government funding.”

The move comes after the county council scrapped plans for the second phase of the Otley Road cycle route this month.

The council, which is the highways authority, also revealed it would not be bringing back restrictions for motorists on nearby Beech Grove.

Instead it will propose new measures to tackle speed in the streets surrounding Otley Road, improved crossings for cyclists, better signage for cycle routes and improvements to bus infrastructure.

A decision on bids submitted for the active travel fund is expected from the government on March 17.

Construction must begin on successful projects before March 31, 2024.

Harrogate bus operators confirm £2 fare cap extension

Bus companies in the Harrogate district have confirmed they will take part in an extension to the £2 fare cap.

The move comes in line with a government announcement that it had extended the cap until on single tickets until June this year.

The scheme was introduced at the start of January and was due to finish at the end of March.

But the Department for Transport announced last Friday that it was providing £75 million to extend the initiative.

Paul Turner, commercial director at Transdev, said Harrogate Bus Company would take part in the extension.

He said:

“We’re delighted to see to see that the Department for Transport has announced that the £2 fare cap will be extended until the end of June.

“So far during the fare cap, we have seen 11% extra customers on some of our routes, compared to customer numbers in November, and we’ve also seen the busiest day in the history of our company.

“The three month extension to the cap is bound to be good news for our existing customers, and we hope it will continue to encourage new customers out of the car and onto the bus.”

Meanwhile, Craig Temple, managing director at Connexions Buses, said the operator would also continue with a £2 cap on fares.

The £2 cap has reduced the cost of a 29-mile journey from Ripon to Leeds on the 36 bus by 73 per cent from £7.50 to £2, while the cost of a ticket from Harrogate to Bradford on the Flyer A2 has fallen by 63 per cent from £5.40 to £2.

Ministers hope the initiative will reinvigorate bus services amid fears many routes will be cut when funding runs out.

Plan approved to convert former Harrogate Slug and Lettuce into retail units

A plan to convert the former Slug and Lettuce bar in Harrogate into four retail units and apartments has been approved.

Leeds-based developer Rushbond PLC lodged the proposal to Harrogate Borough Council for the Herald Buildings on Montpellier Parade in September last year.

Built in the 1850s, the buildings were also the headquarters of the Harrogate Advertiser newspaper for much of the last century until it moved out in 1990.

The Slug and Lettuce chain then occupied part of the buildings for nearly 30 years before closing in May 2021

Now the council has approved plans to subdivide the ground floor into four mixed use units, including retail and food and drink.

Meanwhile, the upper floors will be converted into five flats.

The plans have been designed by Harrogate-based SPX Architects. Documents say the development would “enhance the area’s reputation” as a destination for independent boutique-style shops.

It says:

“The proposals generate a sustainable, long-term use for the upper floors of this locally designated heritage asset and simultaneously improve its energy efficiency and visual contribution to the area.

“Moreover, the replacement of a large public house and its associated outdoor eating and drinking areas with a scheme providing a complementary mix of small high-quality ground floor retail units to those found on Montpellier Mews, Montpellier Parade and Montpellier Street only serves to enhance the areas reputation as a destination for independent boutique style shops.”

Rebecca Micallef, economy and transport officer at the council, said in a letter to the authority’s planners that the move would help to enhance the area.

She said:

“We are keen to see the opportunity for four new retail units to be developed within this vacant space, to improve the active frontage, attract new businesses into a key town centre location, enhance the quality of the retail offer of the Montpellier Quarter and support the high street economy.

“The introduction of upper floor residential seems to be appropriate at this location and will add to the vibrancy of the town centre, supporting both its daytime and evening economy.”

New monthly market coming to Ripley

A new monthly food, drink and craft market is set to be held in Ripley.

Real Food Markets, which runs events in Ilkely, will host the new venture on the last Sunday of each month from April until November.

An additional Christmas market will be held on December 10.

The markets will take place in Ripley Castle courtyard. Entry is free and also includes access to the grounds of the castle and the castle gardens on market days. Entry to the castle is still subject to a charge.

Ripley Castle grounds, where the market will be held.

Ripley Castle courtyard, where the market will be held.

Rebecca Riordan, from Ripley Castle Estate, said:

“We are pleased to welcome Real Markets to Ripley Castle this year. We are looking forward to the castle courtyard being full of amazing local talent and produce.

“We are pleased to confirm on Real Market days access to the castle’s gardens and grounds will be free of charge.

“Well behaved dogs on leads will also be welcomed into the courtyard, if you wish to enjoy a castle guided tour a small supplement will be charged. We have chosen to work with Real Markets because of the lovely atmosphere of their markets, and the high quality of the stallholders.”

Lucy Allen, director of Real Markets, added:

“Real Markets’ remit has always been to work hard on behalf of our stallholders and the community and bring people together over great produce and fabulous products in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

“We’re very proud of the range and quality of the stallholders at our markets and these two new venues will be wonderful opportunities for small traders to meet new customers.

“We’re happy to hear from producers who would like to work with us and also charities and community groups local to Ripley or Grassington who would like a free space at our markets to promote their work.”

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly scores twice as England beat Italy

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly scored twice as England beat Italy in the Arnold Clark Cup.

Daly, who made her first start up front, secured the Lionesses their second win of the competition with two headers in a 2-1 victory.

The tournament is hosted by the Football Association and sees four teams play against each other during the February international break.

The 31-year-old was given the start up front after scoring 10 goals in 13 appearances for Aston Villa this season.

Daly’s performance will prove a headache for head coach Sarina Weigman ahead of the final game of the Arnold Clark Cup on Wednesday.

Sunday’s victory over Italy sees England top the tournament table on six points.

The Lionesses will play Belgium for the Arnold Clark Cup at Ashton Gate, Bristol, on Wednesday at 7.45pm.

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‘A disaster’

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