Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Is Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road getting busier?

The debate over whether walking and cycling schemes push traffic elsewhere in Harrogate has intensified over the last 12 months.

North Yorkshire County Council has implemented road closures, introduced a low traffic neighbourhood on Beech Grove and started work on a multi-million pound cycle route on Otley Road.

All of this is part of a push to get people out of their cars and on foot or to pick up a bike, the council says.

But some of the measures, such as Beech Grove, have proved contentious and led to petitions calling for them to be removed.

One of the most frequent criticisms of the county council is that these measures push traffic elsewhere.

This week, the Stray Ferret was told that the council’s cycling agenda has led to traffic building up on Cold Bath Road and made it unsafe for schoolchildren.

‘It’s no busier’

The closure of through traffic on Beech Grove is designed to link with the upcoming Otley Road cycle route, which started construction on its first phase this month.

According to the county council’s own figures, around three cyclists an hour use the LTN. However, campaigners argue that it is much more than that.

Some have gone as far as to sit on Beech Grove counting cyclists passing through themselves and reported 17 within an hour.

Valley Drive, which is closed to traffic from Cold Bath Road.

But critics say the by-product of the measure is the shifting of traffic elsewhere, namely onto Cold Bath Road.

The Stray Ferret went out to the road to check if it was busier.

Traffic built up at drop off and pick up times outside Western Primary School, nearby independent businesses and residential areas.

Cars pulled into nearby streets as children waited patiently on the corner and other drivers tried to the negotiate the newly closed Valley Drive, which no longer allows entry from Cold Bath Road.

However, one business owner told the Stray Ferret that it was “not busier than usual” and it would have been noticeable had it been.

The sentiment, though, is not echoed by Western Primary School headteacher, Tim Broad.

Tim Broad is the headteacher of Western Primary School.

Mr Broad told the Stray Ferret that the road was busier due to Beech Grove and the Otley Road construction.

He said:

“I don’t feel that our children are as vulnerable now since the covid guidance has changed and we are no longer using our playground gate as an exit.

“Drop off and collection are safer in that respect but obviously the busier the road, the bigger the threat to children.”

‘No increase’ in traffic, says highways boss

Much of the criticism for the introduction of these schemes comes back to the inbox of Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for highways.

As is the case with politics, someone has to be accountable for proposals which affect peoples’ lives.

Cllr Mackenzie has faced down emails and petitions from residents who no longer want the LTN because they say it makes Harrogate busier for traffic.

We put the concerns to Cllr Mackenzie over the increase in traffic on Cold Bath Road.

But, he said the authority had not seen any issues with traffic as a result of the measures brought in. Cllr Mackenzie said the highways department monitored traffic regularly.

Cllr Mackenzie said:

“Cold Bath Road is a very busy road and there is a lot going on there. We are mounting the traffic levels and we are seeing no increase.”

He added that a report on consultation responses into Beech Grove over the last six months is due to be published “in the coming weeks”.

Police commissioner apologises for Sarah Everard comments after backlash

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has apologised for comments he made in the wake of the Sarah Everard case.

Mr Allott faced calls to resign after he said that women “need to be street wise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

The comments sparked a Twitter backlash, including the director of Big Brother Watch, Silkie Carlo, calling for him to resign.

Mr Allott said in a tweet this afternoon:

“I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC Radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”

https://twitter.com/philAllottPFCC/status/1443954284048039945?s=20

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Mr Allott said the commissioner’s office had recently authorised funding for an early prevention and intervention scheme to be launched in about three months’ time, which would target persistent offenders who have committed up to two crimes.

He recently told councillors in North Yorkshire that the scheme would involve public health work “because if we can break that cycle we will not only save the public purse fortune in terms of locking people up, we will actually stop them reoffending”.

The Stray Ferret asked if he would consider his position, Mr Allott said:

“No, I’m not. I have got a great record in protecting women.

“It was one of my campaign pledges.”

Mr Allott’s comments come as murderer Wayne Couzens, a Met Police officer, had falsely arrested 33-year-old Ms Everard in order to abduct her.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey yesterday

Police commissioner urged to resign after Sarah Everard comments

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner faced calls to resign today for comments made in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder.

Philip Allott told the BBC that women “need to be streetwise” about police powers and that Ms Everard should “never have submitted to arrest”.

The comments have been criticised by campaigners, including Reclaim the Streets, which held a vigil in York in memory of Ms Everard.

Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough, took to social media to defend his comments.

He tweeted:

“Nobody is blaming the victim what I am saying is that we need to inform women far better of their rights, something I intend to action here in North Yorkshire ASAP.”

https://twitter.com/philAllottPFCC/status/1443932825313501194?s=20

However, he subsequently faced calls to resign his position following the comments.

Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, responded to Mr Allott to say:

“I know my rights! If I was arrested by a police officer with a badge & handcuffs during lockdown, I would have no choice.

“Jess Phillips said the same this morning. It could have been any of us. She stood no chance. How dare you say she “submitted”. Please, for our safety, resign.”

Mr Allott’s comments come as murderer Wayne Couzens, a Met Police officer, had falsely arrested 33-year-old Ms Everard in order to abduct her.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey yesterday.

MPs watch: Sweary outbursts, animal testing and Bilsdale

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In September, the House of Commons returned from recess and the government battled an energy crisis and problems with fuel supply.

We asked our three Conservative MPs, Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

Mr Jones posted 10 times on his MP’s website in September.
Mr Jones published three posts about the Bilsdale transmitter, which has affected television coverage across the district since August.
On September 18, Mr Jones held a constituency surgery at Asda. It was the first since the covid pandemic meant surgeries could not be held.
He asked George Freeman, science minister, to meet him to discuss plans to expand Labcorp on Otley Road. Mr Jones was later criticised by animal rights groups.
On September 27, Mr Jones posted on his Conservative-run site that a planning application to demolish the former Dunlopillo office site in Pannal for apartments should be “called in”. It was later approved because it was submitted under permitted development rights.
Mr Jones’ Twitter account is for ‘retweets only’.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Skipton and Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith updated his website six times in September. He also posted about the Bilsdale transmitter and told constituents he was “really sorry” if they were affected by the disruption.
He tweeted 13 times last month. Among his social media posts were tweets congratulating MPs who had been appointed to the cabinet as part of the Prime Minister’s reshuffle.
Mr Smith posted nine times on his Facebook page.
He made no spoken contributions or written questions in the House of Commons last month.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

A regular Twitter user, Mr Adams tweeted eight times in September.
However, he did not update his website last month. His last post was on August 19.
On September 10, Mr Adams was filmed telling anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray to “f*ck off”. He defended his outburst and said his words reflected the views of many MPs.
Mr Adams was appointed minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office on September 16 as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle.
On September 23, he answered questions in the House of Commons of mandatory vaccine passports. In one answer, he said the government did not expect the passports to be needed from the end of September.

Campaigners criticise Knaresborough leisure centre plans

A campaign group has launched fresh criticism at plans to demolish Knaresborough Swimming Pool to make way for a new leisure centre.

The ‘Not On Fysche Field’ campaign was launched by resident David Hull who said he has gathered the support of around 940 others against the plans from Harrogate Borough Council which today revealed new images and details.

The council wants to build the new facility over a play area behind the existing pool at Fysche Field.

But Mr Hull claims there is little support for the plans and described them as “badly conceived”.

He said:

“None of the Knaresborough community have asked for this new development.

“The council issued a poorly publicised consultation document over the Christmas period of December 2020 asking not whether Knaresborough wanted a new facility, but simply where it was to be built.

“The idea of building on the park has no local support.

“Furthermore, it demonstrates complete lack of environmental awareness as the new facility will be built on the extremely valuable green park right next to the perfectly adequate existing facility.”

Out of 471 respondents who took part in the consultation, 80% were in favour of locating the new leisure centre at the existing 30-year-old swimming pool site.

Other sites considered included Knaresborough House, Hay-a-Park, Conyngham Hall and a private plot of land at Halfpenny Lane.

Some residents described the existing swimming pool site as the “best” and “only appropriate” location for the facility.

However, concerns were raised over the loss of green space and up until now the council had not revealed exactly where the new leisure centre could be built at Fysche Field.

Its preferred option is to build over a play area behind the existing swimming pool, but building partly over Fysche Field itself is still an option on the table.

Other options included building over the footprint of the existing pool, but these have been ruled out as the council said this would result in two years’ loss of service and income.

Campaigners’ alternative plan

Meanwhile, Mr Hull and his campaign group have brought forward their own proposals which he said would result in no loss of green space at the play area or field.

He said:

“The alternative approach is to extend the existing pool at first floor level, over the existing car park area.

“This extension will provide all the space required for fitness suites etc.

“The existing pool and wet areas can simply be refurbished. This build will be a lightweight framed structure, with a low environmental impact, and built from sustainable materials.”

The council’s plans include a 25-metre pool, learner pool, sauna and steam room, fitness studio, replacement play area and cafe.

Cllr Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, described the proposals as “ambitious” and said they would create a “21st century facility that provides fantastic opportunities for local people”.

A planning application from the council is expected later in autumn and if approved, the new facility could be built by the end of 2023.

Residents are being urged to have their say on the plans as part of the consultation which will run until 24 October.

The council has now asked for residents to share their views online ahead of a formal planning application

Murderer’s ex-partner sentenced for stealing from Harrogate victim

The ex-partner of a convicted murderer has been sentenced after helping him steal £3,500 from his victim.

Dale Tarbox, 51, was jailed for 16 years after he murdered Harrogate woman Susan Howells in 2019.

A police investigation started in August 2019 when Susan, who was 51, was reported missing.

On Tuesday, Tarbox’s then partner Joan Arnold, 64, admitted theft at Bradford Crown Court.

The court heard how Arnold used Ms Howells’ bank card on numerous occasions after her murder.

Arnold was sentenced to an eight months jail term suspended for one year.

She was also given 25 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement to be completed, an electronically monitored curfew between the hours of 9pm and 7am for six months and ordered to pay a victims surcharge of £149.

The sentencing follows the imprisonment of Tarbox in December last year at Leeds Crown Court.

Tarbox, of Independent Street, Little Horton, was arrested in September 2019 in Doncaster and charged with the murder of Ms Howells at his home address in Bradford.

Dale Tarbox was jailed for 16 years for the murder of Susan Howells.

Police enquiries led officers to a caravan park when Tarbox was living. A few days later the police found human remains.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Keith Wadsworth, who was convicted of assisting an offender in preventing lawful burial.

Tarbox was jailed for 16 years for Susan’s murder and given two years to run concurrently in preventing her lawful burial.

Wadsworth, 61, from Doncaster, was sentenced to three years and seven months for assisting an offender in preventing a lawful burial.

Another 157 covid infections in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate continues to rise as another 157 daily infections have been reported.

According to latest Public Health England figures, the district average has increased to 574 cases per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 473 and the England average is 340.

However, hospitalisations remain much lower than previous waves with 10 covid-positive patients receiving treatment in Harrogate District Hospital as of last Wednesday.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital.

Elsewhere, 128,230 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 120,433 have had a second dose.

Controversial Dunlopillo apartment plan approved

A controversial plan to demolish the former Dunlopillo office block in Pannal to make way for apartments has been approved.

Harrogate Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the plan, which was submitted by Leeds-based Johnson Mowat Planning.

The proposal will see the 1961 office block replaced by 48 one-and two-bedroom apartments.

Under the plans, the site will be split into two blocks, one with four storeys and another with six.

There will also be one car parking space per apartment plus additional spaces for visitors at the back of the building.

However, the plans have proved controversial with residents, the parish council and Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, all criticising the development.

In a letter to the borough council, Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council said it could “give no credence” to the proposal.

It said:

“The current Dunlopillo building has suffered decades of neglect and exists as an eyesore within its environment.

“Councillors and parishioners support its long-overdue demolition but can give no credence to the replacement and erection of a structure which – at a proposed 18 metre height, three metres above the current height – would exert an over-dominance and “mass” in its surrounds.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Jones this week called for a special planning committee to consider the development which he said.

He also wrote to Michael Gove, communities secretary, to ask for him to intervene “should the council’s local planning powers not be sufficient to enable full scrutiny of the application”.

Mr Jones said the development should not have been lodged under the permitted development rights, which the application has been made under.

He said:

“Permitted development rights are to enable positive development and apply in specific circumstances to achieve a specific goal. I do not believe that these rights were introduced for the situation in respect of this development in a semi-rural location.

“Such a significant proposal should go through the normal planning process, be thoroughly appraised by council officers and scrutinised by the councillors at a committee meeting where the public can also have their say.”

Johnson Mowat said in its planning documents submitted to the council that the scheme would be an improvement on the current empty office block, which has been deteriorating for several years.

New Skipton Building Society branch in Harrogate approved

Skipton Building Society has been given approval to open a new branch on Cambridge Street in Harrogate town centre.

The company, which currently has a branch on Princes Street, will refurbish the central unit of the former Topshop outlet in the town centre.

The units at 33-37 Cambridge Street, which were also occupied by Miss Selfridges, are to be split into three.

Skipton Building Society plans to lease the central unit and refurbish it to include open plan public space, office spaces, toilets and staff space.

It has also proposed to fit five air conditioning units to the back of the building facing Petergate.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed to the Stray Ferret the proposal will see its current branch relocated.

In documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council’s planning department, which have the scheme the go-ahead, the company said the proposal will ensure the “continued life of the building”.

It added:

“It will also ensure the property does not become unused or rundown which is important for its position.”

In July, the council approved plans for Sainsbury’s to occupy the largest unit on the street.

Bilsdale: charity given £50,000 to help vulnerable get TV signal

A charity which covers the Harrogate district is set to receive £50,000 to support people as television coverage is restored following the Bilsdale fire.

The transmitter has been out of service since August and left thousands in the district without television and radio signal.

Next week, an 80-metre temporary mast is set to be built which Arqiva, operator of Bilsdale, promises will restore 95% of coverage.

Ahead of the restoration, Paul Donovan, chief executive of the company, has announced Two Ridings Community Foundation will receive £50,000 to help support the over-65s and vulnerable people with their televisions after the swtich-on.

It will also be used to “support work on digital inclusion and social isolation”. County Durham Community Foundation has been allocated the same amount of funding.

Mr Donovan said:

“It was extremely helpful to have the support and input of our partners and stakeholders across the area as we work to fix this together.

“Arqiva is absolutely committed to restoring services to those who are affected as quickly as possible, and to supporting the most vulnerable people as a priority.”

As part of the restoration on October 5, Arqiva will also have a helpline staffed by 75 people to help those who may still be without coverage despite the temporary mast being in place.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, held a call with the company yesterday to hear an update on the transmitter.

He said on a local conservative run website:

“It is important that work proceeds on the temporary mast at pace as I know that several vulnerable constituents are without their main source of companionship and information.”

Last week, Arqiva confirmed the first of more than 200 air lifts of materials to the site of the 80-metre temporary transmitter had taken place.

It said 100 staff are currently on the Bilsdale moor site as part of the project.

However, Arqiva bosses warned that television services will be disrupted the day before the transmitter is switched on due to checks on the mast.

‘It’s no busier’

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Campaigners’ alternative plan

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