Harrogate and Knaresborough commuters face further strikes

Train services between Harrogate and Leeds look set be affected by three days of strikes in the next two weeks.

Both the RMT union and Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen have announced industrial action this Saturday (October 1), Wednesday (October 5) and next Saturday (October 8).

Northern, which operates services between Harrogate and Knaresborough towards Leeds and York, has urged passengers not to travel on days when strike action is being held.

A statement from the company said:

“As a result of ASLEF and RMT strike action, Northern customers are advised not to travel on Saturday 1, Wednesday 5 or Saturday 8 October.

“Services are also expected to be affected on Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 October, especially in the morning, so please check before you travel.”

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The strike action comes as rail passengers have also been warned to expect disruption on Harrogate’s LNER services from October 1.

Major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail will affect many services on the LNER route during this period.

The company operates six daily direct trains from Harrogate to London.

The disruption is set to last until October 9.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers should be aware of an overnight road closure on the A59 York Road near Knaresborough which may cause delays.

Meanwhile, some roadworks on main routes in the Harrogate district remain in place.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

The A59 York Road, between Station Road and the A658 at Goldsborough, will be closed overnight from today until October 6.

The road will be closed between 8pm and 5am while North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work.

A diversion will be in place via Knaresborough, Ferrensby, Minskip to Boroughbridge.

Two-way traffic lights are in place on the A661 Harrogate Road between Harrogate and Spofforth, which may cause delays for drivers heading towards Wetherby.

Northern Gas Networks are carrying out maintenance work on the route. The lights will be in place until September 30.

As previously reported, a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed for six weeks as repairs are carried out at Fellbeck bridge on the B6265.

Signs for a diversion and a temporary crossing over the river for pedestrians and cyclists are in place.

Meanwhile, traffic is moving as normal on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road during rush hour this morning.

Northern Gas Networks has implemented a road closure on Montpellier Road until September 30 as part of maintenance work.

Trains and buses

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

However, commuters should be aware of upcoming strike action on Saturday (October 1), Wednesday (October 5) and next Saturday (October 8) which may affect services from Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1C and 36 services this morning.

You can find out more on the disruption to services here.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate branding agency builds website for London flats

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Harrogate-based branding agency has created a website and provided digital services for a flagship London apartment scheme.

Impression Studio created the brand for property firm Greystar’s Bloom development at Nine Elms in the city.

As part of the project, Impression created a visual design and focused on devising bold typography, bespoke illustrations and 3D imagery.

The design team was given 10 weeks to deliver the project.

Jordan Donnelly, head of design at Impression Studio, said:

“The visual design was key to the project, focussing on large typography, unconventional grid systems and utilising bespoke illustrations to communicate the energy of the brand with a contemporary aesthetic.

“The creative was brought to life with on page interactions and elegant animations to elevate the brand experience, whilst not neglecting the site performance and taking away from the user experience.”

Running retailer announces heart charity partnership

Up and Running

A Harrogate-based specialist running retailer has announced a three-year partnership with the charity Heart Research UK.

Up & Running, which has a store on Station Parade, is set to launch a fundraising challenge in aid of the charity, which will include a 1,992 mile relay involving staff across its 29 stores.

The retailer will also host 5k training sessions aimed at getting people active.

Gillian Macfarlane, founder of Up & Running, said:

“We’re excited to embark on the partnership with Heart Research UK.  We have a lot of shared values with the charity when it comes to encouraging people of all fitness levels to exercise regularly and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.”

Helen Wilson, head of research at Heart Research UK, said: 

“Sadly, 7.6 million people in the UK are living with cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease is one of the UK’s biggest killers.

“More research is needed to prevent people developing and dying from heart disease, and the partnership with Up & Running will raise vital funds to help us fund more medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.”

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Harrogate Hydro set to reopen in May 2023

Harrogate Hydro looks set to reopen in May next year following an £11 million refurbishment.

Construction is earmarked to finish in April, but Harrogate Borough Council has set an opening for May — a month after when the authority will be abolished.

The council provided an update today on the Hydro as well as progress on the new leisure centre in Knaresborough.

Work on the Hydro, which is being led by Bristol-based Alliance Leisure, is ongoing to create a 400 square metre fitness suite, a sauna and steam suite, improved reception and café.

There will also be new diving board equipment, a new fitness suite and the changing areas will be upgraded.

Meanwhile, the existing gas boilers have been replaced with air source heat pumps and 250 solar panels, as well as new metering and energy monitoring and control systems.

Representatives from Axiom, Alliance Leisure and ISG with Councillor Stanley Lumley and Mark Tweedie.

Representatives from Axiom, Alliance Leisure and ISG with Councillor Stanley Lumley and Mark Tweedie.

However, the strip out at the facilities has revealed some remedial work is required, such as the fire protection of the steel frame, the addition of wall restraints, replacement of corroded steelwork, re-securing of soffit boarding and resolving air leakage and heat loss between the roof and the external walls.

Cllr Stan Lumley, cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport at the council, said: 

“Refurbishment projects often discover things that need to be resolved to adhere to current building regulations.

“By carrying out the work now, the building can conform to the latest legislation and be as energy-efficient as possible, which will allow people across the Harrogate district to keep fit and active for many years to come.”

Knaresborough Leisure Centre

Work being carried out on Knaresborough pool.

Work being carried out on Knaresborough leisure centre.

The new leisure centre in Knaresborough is due to open in August 2023.

Construction is continuing on the project which will see a six-lane 25metre pool, activity pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, spin studio, café, electric car charging points and bicycle storage created.

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Both facilities are due to be managed by the council-controlled Brimhams Active once complete, although its future is unclear due to the impending abolition of Harrogate Borough Council.

Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, said: 

“This unprecedented level of investment from Harrogate Borough Council will allow Brimhams Active to further transform from a conventional leisure provider to a comprehensive health and wellbeing company and truly maximise its offer to residents across the Harrogate district.

“And by doing so we can ensure people of all ages, from all walks of life, will be able to live a healthy lifestyle and stay active for longer.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers should expect delays on some main routes in the Harrogate district as roadworks remain in place.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Two-way traffic lights are in place on the A661 Harrogate Road between Harrogate and Spofforth, which may cause delays for drivers heading towards Wetherby.

Northern Gas Networks are carrying out maintenance work on the route. The lights will be in place until September 30.

As previously reported, a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed for six weeks as repairs are carried out at Fellbeck bridge on the B6265.

Signs for a diversion and a temporary crossing over the river for pedestrians and cyclists are in place.

Meanwhile, traffic is moving as normal on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road during rush hour this morning.

Ongoing roadworks on Skipton Road, which include temporary traffic lights at Dragon Road, are due to end today.

Northern Gas Networks has implemented a road closure on Montpellier Road until September 30 as part of maintenance work.

Trains and buses

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

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1C and 36 services this morning.

You can find out more on the disruption to services here.

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‘Sink or swim’ for North Yorkshire bus routes over next six months

North Yorkshire’s transport chief said the next six months will be “sink or swim” for some bus routes amid a lack of funding from central government.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for transport at North Yorkshire County Council, said while £336,000 from government for bus services was “better than nothing”, it was a fraction of the £116 million previously asked for by the county council.

The Department for Transport awarded the council the funding to help with staff capacity in its enhanced partnerships team, which helps to draw up funding bids and works with operators.

The figure is significantly less than the £116 million bid made under the council’s Bus Services Improvement Plan earlier this year, which ministers turned down.

Cllr Duncan said the authority would continue to “face up to immense challenges” of maintaining bus services. He added that for some routes, it will prove to be “sink or swim”.

Cllr Duncan said:

“£336,000 is obviously better than nothing. But putting this into perspective, this is equivalent to less than 0.3% of our original £116 million Bus Services Improvement Plan bid.

“This is a pretty gutting state of affairs for the team who worked on our bid. I can’t hide that. Sadly, the fund was significantly oversubscribed and we were one of several authorities to miss out.

“The task now is to make the most of where we’re at. The enhanced partnership met earlier this month for the first time. This was a very positive meeting, with representatives of all of the county’s operators in attendance.

“We are facing up to immense challenges over the next six months, which will prove to be a sink or swim period for many routes.”

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Cllr Duncan added that the council would continue to look at improving bus services, despite having its multi-million pound funding bid rejected.

He said:

“It is only by the council and operators working closely together and sharing intelligence that we will be able to face up to these immediate challenges facing our network, protecting existing services as far as possible while making steps forward to improve the service provided to the public.”

Ahead of awarding the council staff capacity funding, the government said the grant would help it continue to work with bus companies.

In a letter to council officials, it said:

“We understand that this funding does not replace Bus Services Improvement Plan funding to spend on transforming your bus services.

“But we do hope it will help to support your ongoing work with operator partners, especially working through an enhance partnership or franchising arrangement, to deliver better bus services (whether they are commercial or tendered) and enable you to use local bus funding to best effect and attract future bus funding as it becomes available.”

Harrogate district business groups cautiously welcome mini-budget

Business groups in the Harroagate district have broadly welcomed today’s financial measures introduced by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.

Mr Kwarteng announced a mini-budget in the House of Commons this morning.

It included cutting income tax, stamp duty and reversing the rise in National Insurance contributions and corporation tax.

Mr Kwarteng also lifted the cap on bankers’ bonuses and heralded the measures as a “new era” for the UK economy.

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said he welcomed some of the measures.

He said:

“The UK’s economic situation is very fragile, we are technically in recession, inflation is putting pressure on household budgets and an increase in interest rates will put a strain on many homeowners’ budgets.

“The aim of this emergency budget is to stimulate the economy by cutting taxes and giving people more money in their pockets.

“The scrapping of the national insurance rise and reversing the increase in corporation tax is certainly good news for businesses large and small.

“Employees across the board will benefit from the NI reduction, as well as the cut in the basic rate of income tax, but the latter won’t be felt until after next April. Cutting the cap on bankers’ bonuses is a contentious issue for some, but it is designed to attract the brightest and the best in the industry to the UK.”

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Ripon BID welcomes corporation tax move

Lilla Bathurst, manager at Ripon Business Improvement District, said it remained to be seen if the planned tax cuts will work.

She said:

“Ripon BID welcomes the scrapping of the planned increase in corporation tax and the reduction of national insurance contributions  and the relief this will bring to businesses and employees.  It remains to be seen if these tax cuts will generate sufficient growth to off-set the tax the Chancellor has given up.

“Ripon BID is disappointed that the government did not follow the recommendations set out in the BusinessSOS campaign, supported by over 150 Business Improvement Districts including Ripon BID.  We asked for a package of measures including business rates relief and a reduction in headline VAT rates for retail, leisure and hospitality.

“The previous announcement of support for businesses energy bills was welcomed but as stated previously we feel did not go far enough and uncertainty remains.”

Knaresborough chamber warms of business failures

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce said it welcomed the cut in corporation tax, but added that this winter will still be difficult for many businesses.

Chamber executive member Peter Lacey said:

“I like to be positive, but can’t say I’m confident that we’ll not see business failures in the coming months.

“We’re committed to supporting the businesses of the town and its surrounding area but recognise that we’ll need to redouble our efforts in the current economic climate.”

Nidderdale chamber: measures ‘give confidence’

Meanwhile, Tim Ledbetter, chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, said:

“We welcome measures announced by the government today, whilst reserving judgement on many of them until the finer detail has been analysed.

“The measures will hopefully give confidence to the public and businesses who understandably have had their confidence rocked by events, not just in this country but from around the world.

“I suppose with the cancellation of the planned rise in duty on beer, wine and spirits people can at least either celebrate or if disappointed with the measures drown their sorrow.”

Wanted Harrogate man arrested

Police have arrested a wanted Harrogate man.

Officers issued an appeal for the whereabouts of a 30-year-old man, who was believed to be in either the Harrogate or Knaresborough area.

The force has since confirmed that he has been arrested in the Blackpool area on suspicion of offences connected to a serious assault.

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Man admits setting fire to historic Knaresborough pub

A 45-year-old man has pleaded guilty to setting fire to a Knaresborough pub last year.

Stephen Pearson, of Pinhoe Road in Exeter, was charged with arson at Blind Jack’s pub on Market Place in the town on August 21 last year.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared before York Crown Court this morning.

Pearson’s defence counsel told the court that he had “a number of difficulties” over the years and was currently seeing a clinical psychologist on a regular basis.

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The defence requested that the case be adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Judge Simon Hickey adjourned sentencing Pearson until November 18.

He told him that he must “realise the consequences that may follow” when he appears before court again.

Blind Jack's on Market Place, Knaresborough.

Blind Jack’s on Market Place, Knaresborough.

The pub was damaged in the blaze at around 4am on the morning of August 21, 2021.

Owners Christian and Alice Ogley were away at the time of the fire and nobody was injured.

The Grade II listed pub is named after Knaresborough’s John Metcalf, the first professional road builder to emerge in the Industrial Revolution.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers are warned that a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed from Monday as bridge repairs are carried out.

Meanwhile, motorists also face delays with roadworks in other areas of the Harrogate district.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

As previously reported, a main road out of Pateley Bridge will be closed for six weeks as repairs are carried out at Fellbeck bridge on the B6265.

The work will start on Monday and signs for a diversion will be in place.

Meanwhile, traffic is moving as normal on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road during rush hour this morning.

Ongoing roadworks on Skipton Road, which include temporary traffic lights at Dragon Road, are due to end on Monday.

Northern Gas Networks has implemented a road closure on Montpellier Road until September 30 as part of maintenance work.

Trains and buses

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

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting no cancellations on its services this morning.

You can find out more on the disruption to services here.

Read more: