Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

No trains will run between Harrogate and Knaresborough towards York and Leeds tomorrow amid strike action.

Passengers also face disruption on Sunday as train operators urge people to check service times.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic and travel update.

Roads

As previously reported, five days of roadworks on the A658 Harrogate Road are taking place which may cause delays for drivers.

It will see motorists diverted along Crag Lane, The Sleights and Gravelly Hill Lane through North Rigton and Huby while work takes place.

The work is being carried out by North Yorkshire County Council to resurface the road, with a closure in place between 9.30am and 5.30pm.

Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.

Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

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

Work to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

The road is closed and a diversion is in place via Pateley Bridge, the B6451 Dacre, Menwith Hill Road, Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Fell Beck Bridge remains closed for works until November 6, with a diversion in place via Burnt Yates and Summerbridge.

Trains and buses

Northern is advising passengers not to travel, with no trains currently scheduled to run through Harrogate and Knaresborough on the Leeds to York line on Saturday (November 5).

The train operator is also advising passengers to check service times on Sunday in case of further disruption.

The strike action by the RMT union will be repeated on Monday (November 7) and Wednesday (November 9).

LNER services to London King’s Cross are also affected by the walkout.

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

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1C, 7 and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Men arrested after suspected knifepoint robbery near Knaresborough

Two men have been arrested following a suspected knifepoint robbery near Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Police were called at 1.40pm yesterday to reports that a couple had been robbed when they turned up at a house in Farnham to buy a vehicle that had been advertised for sale.

According to police, the pair were threatened by a group of suspects who stole their car and a large amount of cash inside it.

The suspects then fled in the vehicle and a van.

Police tracked down the stolen car to the A61 near Harewood after using automatic number plate recognition.

The suspects ran from the vehicle and a police firearms support unit, dog and police drone tracked them down to a wooded area.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a Class B drug and an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery, possession of a Class B drug, driving with no insurance, driving whilst disqualified and possession of an offensive weapon.

The suspects currently remain in police custody and both vehicles were recovered.

Harogate man made thousands of indecent images of children

Warning: the following article contains details some people may find offensive.

A Harrogate man who had a “totally unacceptable” interest in images of child abuse and extreme pornography has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Philip Grange, 53, of Hillside in Follifoot, appeared before York Crown Court this morning on a string of charges, including possessing an extreme pornographic image of a person performing an act of intercourse with a dog.

Grange was also charged with three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and three counts of distributing indecent photographs of a child.

He pleaded guilty to all charges.

Thousands of indecent images

Police arrested Grange on August 14, 2020, and seized a number of devices including nine mobile phones, a Samsung tablet, a laptop and a USB stick from his home.

Analysis of the technology found five of the mobile phones included indecent material.

A total of 650 category A images, which are the most graphic, and 37 videos were found, along with thousands of category B and C images.

Police also discovered 180 images of extreme pornography and 10 videos.

Grange was also found to be using the Kik Messenger social media platform to request and distribute images.

The prosecution told the court that he also had “very explicit” conversations on the platform.

Ismael Uddin, defending Grange, said he had no previous convictions and was “socially isolated”.

He added that he was “remorseful” for making and distributing the images and was unlikely to offend again.

Mr Uddin said:

“All of them [the images] are of a disdainful nature.

“He is 53 years of age and is likely to not commit offences again. He has told me that he is no longer on the internet.”

‘Unacceptable’ and ‘perverted’

Sentencing Grange, Recorder Paul Reid told the 53-year-old that he had an “unacceptable” and “perverted” interest in pornography.

He said:

“You are described as a socially isolated individual who has a totally unacceptable and perverted interest in pornography and, in particular, images of child abuse.”

Mr Reid described Grange’s conversations on the “notorious” Kik platform as “utterly disgusting”.

He added that he noted that Grange told probation that he was “glad to be caught” as he “knew what he was doing was wrong”.

Grange was sentenced to 20 months in prison suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to undertake 200 hours unpaid work, 40 days rehabilitation and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order.

Grantley Hall appeals council order preventing it from using helipad

Grantley Hall has appealed a council order to prevent it from using a helipad after an alleged planning breach.

Harrogate Borough Council issued an enforcement notice against the hotel for using the helipad for take off and landings without planning permission.

The luxury hotel, which is located five miles west of Ripon, withdrew plans to operate the helicopter landing pad in June 2021.

The authority then ordered the hotel to “cease the use of the land for the taking off and landing of helicopter flights” and remove the helipad from the land.

According to the notice, the helipad’s location causes damage to the area and the significance of a heritage asset in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The order adds:

“It fails to protect or enhance those features which contribute to the special architectural or historic interest of the heritage asset and does not make a positive contribution to the character of the area.”

Picture of the helipad in the Grantley Hall grounds, as submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

A picture of the helipad in the Grantley Hall grounds submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

However, Grantley Hall has since appealed the order and requested that permission is granted for the helipad.

The hotel said that 70 flights took place at the hotel between October 2021 and September 2022, with visitors coming from Jersey, Bournemouth and Melrose in Scotland.

It added that all the flights took place during the day time and it was “clear evidence for the demand for this facility”.

In documents submitted to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with appeals, the hotel said it had met with the council in September 2022 and confirmed it had stopped taking helicopter bookings.

The hotel said it was happy for conditions to be placed on its proposals and was willing to meet with the council to discuss mitigation measures.

It said in its planning documents:

“The appellant is eager to work with Harrogate Borough Council to ensure that Grantley Hall’s ability to deliver a first-class service and contribution to the local and regional economy does not compromise the local amenity and setting and significance of Grantley Hall.”

The Stray Ferret approached Grantley Hall for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

A government planning inspector will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Three planning withdrawals

The hotel withdrew plans for the helicopter landing pad for a third time in June 2021 after council officers recommended rejecting the proposal.

Nidderdale AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Grantley and Sawley Parish Council and several residents objected to the plans, with one local describing the application as “totally unnecessary” and “self-fulfilling”.

The hotel has withdrawn three applications and had another rejected since first asking for permission to use an existing helipad in 2018.

Grantley Hall opened as a hotel after a £70 million refurbishment in 2019.

It was once used by West Riding County Council between 1947 and 1974 as an adult education residential college, as well as a training and conference centre by North Yorkshire County Council.

Council forecasts North Yorkshire needs 3,161 EV charge points by 2030

A public consultation into plans for electric vehicle charging points across North Yorkshire looks set to be launched.

Senior councillors on North Yorkshire County Council’s executive are expected to agree next week to start the consultation this month.

It will lead to the creation of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy to expand the infrastructure.

Latest figures show there are almost 4,000 electric vehicles registered in North Yorkshire, and 225 publicly available charge points, and take-up of electric vehicles is rising rapidly each year.

County council officers forecast that 3,161 charge points will be needed by 2030, of which half will need to be funded by the public sector at an estimated cost of £10.3 million.

Cllr Greg White, the council’s executive member for climate change, said:

“The ownership of electric vehicles in North Yorkshire is increasing quickly. This is encouraging – to achieve the county’s ambitious carbon zero target, for smaller vehicles, we need to make the switch to electric as close as possible to 2030.

“But North Yorkshire faces particular challenges, partly due to its rural nature and partly the lack of off-street parking in some villages and urban residential areas.

“We need to understand these needs and the challenges they present and be ready to meet them. That’s why we want to seek the input and feedback of the public to help to shape our strategy for the coming years.”

The council has already secured more than £2 million from the government to finance the expansion of the county’s network of electric vehicle charging points.

electric vehicle chargepoints (1)

In August, the authority revealed that the Harrogate district would get 10 chargers.

The chargers are part of the new Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme where the council and industry work in partnership.

It was previously suggested that Markington, Pateley Bridge and Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough could receive new chargepoints. However, this has yet to be confirmed.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Roadworks on main routes towards Ripley and Wetherby may cause delays for motorists this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Temporary lights are in place on the Ripon Road near Killinghall, which may cause delays for drivers.

Long queues were reported on the road yesterday morning heading into Ripley.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out maintenance work near to the bridge for the River Nidd and the lights are due to remain in place until November 7.

Meanwhile, drivers heading towards Wetherby and the A1(M) may face delays as temporary lights are in place after Kestrel roundabout in Harrogate.

The lights have been put in place by Yorkshire Water for maintenance work and are expected to remain until November 7.

As previously reported, five days of roadworks on the A658 Harrogate Road started yesterday which may cause delays for drivers.

It will see motorists diverted along Crag Lane, The Sleights and Gravelly Hill Lane through North Rigton and Huby while work takes place.

The work is being carried out by North Yorkshire County Council to resurface the road, with a closure in place between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Meanwhile, Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.

Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

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

Work to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

Fell Beck Bridge remains closed for works until November 6, with a diversion in place via Burnt Yates and Summerbridge.

Planned gas replacement works in Harrogate will be paused. It means five weeks of traffic lights on Cold Bath Road, which were initially due to take place in September, won’t happen until at least January.

Trains and buses

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

However, commuters are being warned of upcoming strike action on Saturday (November 5) and to check service times on Sunday (November 6) for disruption.

The strike action by the RMT union will be repeated on Monday (November 7) and Wednesday (November 9).

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1B, 1C and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Business Breakfast: More than half of units let at Ripon Business Park

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

More than half the units under construction on a Ripon business park are now pre-let ahead of the project being completed.

Canalside Business Park, which was previously used by Econ Engineering to store its 900-strong gritter hire fleet, is looking to help redress the shortage of small-scale industrial units in the district.

Owned by Canalside Developments and being constructed by HACS, it is a 25,000 sq ft development located opposite Ripon racecourse, off Navigation Way opposite Travis Perkins, and is scheduled for completion in spring next year.

Jonathan Lupton, Canalside Developments director, said:

“Canalside Business Park will help meet the growing demand for industrial units for start-ups and growing business in our district.

“We are delighted by the fact that 65% of the units are now pre-let. Built to a modern specification, they will provide much-needed industrial space for micro businesses and SMEs.”

BID puts focus on Ripon Christmas windows

Ripon Business Improvement District is inviting businesses to enter their Christmas window competition, which has adopted a theme of peace and sanctuary.

The BID hopes as many businesses as possible get involved and make Ripon’s Christmas windows a magical spectacle.

A judging panel, consisting of the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke, the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson and The Stray Ferret, will be judging all the windows during the week beginning November 21.

The winning window will receive £200 in advertising from one of the BID’s media partners.

Locals and visitors will be invited to vote via social media and will have the chance to win a Ripon Hamper Company hamper.

The BID will be running its Christmas marketing campaign using the #christmasinripon and will include video footage of the windows and festivities.

The Visit Ripon website will have a dedicated Christmas page highlighting the businesses Christmas windows, offers and events.

Businesses are asked to confirm whether they wish to enter by November 14 via info@riponbid.co.uk and be ready for judging by the panel during the week beginning November 21.

The Ripon Christmas brochure, whose production is being supported by the BID, will be available to businesses and the public both in print and online at the beginning of November and Seasonal music in Market Square will complement the BID’s ‘Free After Three’ car parking on Friday November 25, and on December 2, 9 and 16.

62 homes set to be built at council’s Harlow Nursery

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to press ahead with plans to sell land at Harlow Nurseries for housing.

The site next to the Pinewoods is owned by the council and sells plants, pots and compost to the public.

The council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place, allocates 40 homes to the site. The nursery will relocate if a development goes ahead.

Consultants hired by the council came up with two options this year. The first option was to build a mix of 57 family homes and flats. The second was to build 62 homes and flats with smaller gardens.

A report due before councillors next week recommends the 62-home option and invites expressions of interest for the land before proceeding to tender for a conditional sale.

The council says the area “provides a good opportunity for sustainable, low carbon and high quality place-making”.

The report says:

“The masterplan illustrates how a bespoke, high quality, carbon efficient, housing development could be delivered at Harlow Nurseries.

“It would create a community that sits well in its setting with a dedicated pedestrian and cycle tree lined avenue at its heart.

“A mixture of dwellings is proposed totalling 62 homes including 40% affordable.”

The plans have previously been met with anger from residents who objected to the closure of the Harlow Hill nursery where thousands of plants are grown each year for the district’s award-winning gardens.

In June, Cllr Sam Gibbs, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, signed off £50,000 for “in-depth professional advice,” site surveys and other works to progress the replacement nursery plans.

At the time, a council spokesperson said the proposals were in the early stages and that it wanted to see whether the unnamed preferred site is “viable”.

The Stray Ferret has approached the council to ask whether it has now identified a preferred site for the existing nursery.

Met Office issues weather warning for wind in Harrogate district

A yellow weather warning has been put in place for the Harrogate district for strong winds.

The Met Office has issued the warning until 8pm tonight.

It forecasts a spell of “very windy weather” to hit the district and parts of northern England.

The Met Office has warned that public transport and roads could be affected.

It said:

“Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely.

“Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer.”

Meanwhile, the district is expected to see temperatures of 12 degrees today.

This morning will be dry before rain showers arrive this afternoon and into this evening.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

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

However, drivers should still be aware of ongoing roadworks on main routes across the district.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers should expect the usual traffic on Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Motorists heading towards Spofforth and Wetherby could face delays as temporary traffic lights are due in place on the A661 Harrogate Road just after Kestrel roundabout.

The lights have been put in place by Yorkshire Water for maintenance work and are expected to remain until November 7.

Temporary lights are also being reported on the Ripon Road near Killinghall, which may cause delays for drivers.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out maintenance work near to the bridge for the River Nidd.