Storm Malik caused travel disruption, closure of major attractions and forced one business to close in the Harrogate district today.
A Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds was in place across the district and drivers were urged to take care when out and about.
Catch up on our live coverage of today’s storm below.
2.40pm – Harrogate business forced to close as roof crashes in
One Harrogate business has been forced to close as strong winds saw its roof fall in.
The roof at Bubblerun Hand Car Wash and Valeting Centre, Harrogate Road, crashed in at around 11.30am this morning.
Fortunately, no one was hurt and staff managed to get outside when the crash happened.
The business has reported that it is now closed until the roof can be fixed.
Damage to the roof of Bubblerun car wash, Harrogate Road. Picture: Sarah Tayan.
1.15pm – Harrogate landscape boss tells of lucky escape from fallen tree
Jason Kirk, the owner of a Harrogate landscaping company, had a lucky escape on Woodfield Road today when a tree came crashing down during Storm Malik.
He told the Stray Ferret how he avoided being crushed by the tree in Bilton. You can read more here.
Jason Kirk next to his van and the fallen tree on Woodfield Drive, Bilton.
12.16pm – Fallen tree causing problems on Woodfield Road
A fallen tree on Woodfield Road is causing problems for drivers this afternoon.
Drivers are being forced to mount the kerb in order to avoid the tree, which is obstructing the road.
The tree has yet to be moved and drivers are urged to avoid the area.
12.07pm – Reports of power cut in Hampsthwaite
Residents in Hampsthwaite are reporting a power cut in the village.
One resident told the Stray Ferret that properties have had no power all morning.
According to Northern Powergrid, a power cut has been reported in the HG3 and HG2 areas. The loss of power has affected 590 properties, the company said.
It said on its website:
“The power cut affecting your property has been caused by an unexpected problem with the cables or equipment that serve your area.”
11.30am – Strong winds delay 59 bus
Harrogate Bus Company is reporting delays on its 59 service to Skipton due to windy conditions.
⚠️Due to windy conditions, the 59 is experiencing delays
We apologise for any inconvenience
@northyorkscc @MetroTravelNews
— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 29, 2022
11.27am – Tree down on Woodfield Road
A Stray Ferret reader has got in touch to report a tree has fallen on Woodfield Road in Bilton.
The tree fell around 11am and drivers are urged to avoid the area.
11.16am – RHS Harlow Carr to fully close
RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that it will fully close today.
It said the decision was for the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers.
**CLOSED SATURDAY 29th JANUARY*
We have made the difficult decision to fully close the garden today due to the worsening weather. The safety of all visitors, staff and volunteers is paramount.We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to reopen tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Er7k0R9Bwd
— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) January 29, 2022
10.52am – Wetherby Road clear despite fallen tree
Wetherby Road near Harrogate Town football ground is clear, despite a fallen tree.
The tree is chopped up and not affecting traffic.
10.25am – Hole in road on Stray Rein
Strong winds have left a hole in the road exposed on Stray Rein after barriers were blown over.
Cyclists, walkers and drivers are urged to take care in the area.
9.52am – Parts of Harewood House site closed
The Harewood House Trust has warned visitors that parts of its site will be closed due to high winds today.
Those travelling to Harewood are urged to check the trust’s website for more information.
9.47am – B6161 at Beckwithshaw reopen
The B6161 between Beckwithshaw and Penny Pot Lane is now reopen after a fallen tree blocked the road.
Contractors have removed the tree. Police have urged people to take care out on the road.
https://twitter.com/OscarRomeo1268/status/1487358679150211074?s=20&t=oSEoRRGn3u78LHKP_KcX_A
9.41am – Weather warning in place until 3pm
The Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds is expected to remain in place until 3pm.
Delays are expected on roads and possibly to public transport. The Met Office adds that “some short term loss of power and other services is possible”.
9.23am – Crowberry Drive now clear after fallen tree
A fallen tree on Crowberry Drive in Jennyfields has now been cleared.
The road was blocked earlier this morning.
9.15am – Harrogate Park Run cancelled and Fountains Abbey closed
Harrogate Park Run announced this morning that it was cancelled today.
Meanwhile, Fountains Abbey will also be closed due to Storm Malik. Its park run is also cancelled.
We're sorry to disappoint anyone planning a visit tomorrow (Saturday 29 January) but for the safety of all we've made the decision to close the entire estate due to the forecast weather.
Park Run is also cancelled. pic.twitter.com/pqcyE7sHva
— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) January 28, 2022
9.10am – RHS Harlow Carr closes parts of gardens
RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that parts of its gardens will be closed today due to strong winds forecast.
In a tweet, it said that it apologised for inconvenience caused.
Unfortunately due to the forecast of high winds today (Saturday 29th January), parts of the garden will be closed.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is paramount.#winterwalk #welcometowinter #winter2022 pic.twitter.com/FDzeDrBagj— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) January 29, 2022
9am – Travel disruption expected in Harrogate
North Yorkshire Police have urged drivers to take care on journeys today.
A fallen tree blocked the B6161 between Beckwithshaw and Penny Pot earlier this morning. A warning remains in place to expect delays on road and public transport.
The #B6161 between #Beckwithshaw and #PennyPot near #Harrogate remains closed due to a fallen tree. Please use an alternative route whilst we await @northyorkscc and take care if you are out and about pic.twitter.com/X9yuXs7BjZ
— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) January 29, 2022
Plan to convert Starbeck pharmacy into Italian takeaway
A former Lloyds pharmacy in Starbeck could be converted into an Italian kitchen and takeaway.
Under plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the site would be refurbished to include an Italian trattoria on the ground floor and two apartments above.
SSA Architects, which has submitted the application on behalf of the developer, said in its planning documents that the kitchen would provide employment for between five to eight people.
It would be open from 12pm until 12am, according to the proposal.
Meanwhile, both flats proposed as part of the development would be one bedroom.
The developer said in its application:
“The proposal looks to rejuvenate the plot by refurbishing the existing structure within the setting.
“Within this outlined development, the design aims to create an inviting setting for the new residents, and customers for the takeaway business.”
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
Read more:
New gritter tracker shows which roads in Harrogate district are being treated
An online gritter tracker for North Yorkshire has been launched to help drivers plan their journeys.
The service by North Yorkshire County Council shows people in real time where gritters are being deployed on the authority’s priority routes and where they have been during the preceding 10 hours.
Any gritting will disappear after 10 hours to avoid confusing previous treatments with recent or current ones.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, said:
“The online gritter tracker is a further tool to help people to make informed journey planning decisions with confidence, particularly during wintry conditions. It gives more detail than ever before, allowing people to see where gritters are and which parts of the network have recently been treated.
“This is a bespoke service that has been developed in-house specifically for North Yorkshire. It is no small feat to develop a system to track up to 80 gritters and all the data they generate.
“We are confident that from day one it will provide a useful service to people travelling in the county, but we are keen to hear from those who use it about any refinements that could improve it further.
“By launching it during this winter, we hope to receive feedback on live situations, which we will be able to review over the summer. Ahead of next winter, we will be able to introduce any enhancements to ensure it provides information that is as full and accurate as possible.”
You can view the online tracker here.
The online gritter map showing the roads treated in Harrogate in the previous 10 hours.
True grit – facts about North Yorkshire gritters
- With an annual gritting budget of £6 million, the county council grits 4,440km of road and make 6,687 runs in a typical year. Around 6,287 routes were treated last year.
- The county’s gritters are responsible for one of England’s largest road networks.
- With 86 gritters, 107 farm contractors, five road snowblowers and seven footway snowblowers at its disposal, the county council is able to treat roads between October and April.
- 55,000 tonnes of salt is stocked in preparation for winter and the authority has 14 weather camera set up to keep an eye on the roads.
- Crews are on call 24 hours a day and are usually out at 5am to grit the county’s road network.
Read more:
Scrapping Pannal cycle lane ‘ludicrous’, says cycling group
A decision to scrap a legal agreement for a housing developer to build a cycle lane in Pannal has been described as “ludicrous”.
Bellway Homes had agreed to build the cycle lane on Leeds Road when its 128-home development at the former Dunlopillo factory site was approved by Harrogate Borough Council in 2017.
But the Section 106 agreement has now been scrapped by the council in favour of a £189,000 contribution from the developers after the cycle lane costs increased to almost £1m due to new government guidance on design standards.
Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, described the decision as “ludicrous” and said the developers should be made to fulfil their agreement.
He said:
“Councils are not always going to have this kind of money themselves so they should be ensuring developers who are building houses and bringing more people into the town provide the appropriate infrastructure we need.
“The cycle lane wasn’t a brilliant scheme in the first place, but at least it would have been something.”
‘We need these links’
Mr Douglas also said cycle links in outskirt areas like Pannal should be seen as a priority to make the most of larger projects including the £10.9 million Harrogate Gateway.
He added:
“Making improvements in the town centre will be great but we need these links in for people to get there.
“It’s very important that all these plans and projects connect together.”
The decision to scrap the agreement was made at a meeting of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee on Tuesday after a recommendation from officers.
Kate Broadbank, housing officer at the council, told the committee it “would not be reasonable” to make the developers build the cycle lane given the increased costs.
Read more:
- First section of Otley Road cycle lane due to be finished this week
- Housing developer can ‘no longer afford’ to pay for Leeds Road cycle path
North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for highways, had also agreed to the decision prior to the meeting and is now drawing up proposals for wider improvements in Pannal using the £189,000 agreed alongside other contributions.
Paul Thornton, planning manager at Bellway Homes, said the company believed these wider plans would be of more benefit to the area.
He said:
Harrogate hospital trust appoints new board chair“The proposed commuted sum will be used to help fund wider improvements along the A61 which will ultimately benefit residents of Pannal and the wider district.
“We believe the funding provided through the amended Section 106 contribution will be far more beneficial than progressing a standalone scheme.”
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Sarah Armstrong as the new chair of its board.
Current chair Angela Schofield announced she is retiring having been in the role since November 2017.
Ms Armstrong, a former director of operations at Healthwatch and chief executive of York Centre for Voluntary Service, will take up the role from April 1.
She is also a non-executive director at Harrogate Integrated Facilities, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of the hospital trust that looks after its estate.
Ms Armstrong said:
“I am delighted to be appointed chair of HDFT. Being a non-executive director over the last few years has enabled me to understand the work that the trust does, and the difference it makes. I feel extremely proud to be part of HDFT and very much look forward to undertaking this new role.”
Read more:
- Private Harrogate hospital drafts in robot with £250,000 investment
- Nearly 200 Harrogate hospital staff have covid or are isolating
Steve Russell, chief executive of HDFT, said:
“Sarah’s vast knowledge and experience has been invaluable since she joined the trust’s three years ago and I am looking forward to working with her in her new role.
“The energy and enthusiasm she brings is infectious and her inquisitive, challenging nature keeps us on our toes and ensures we are always striving to provide the best possible healthcare for our community.”
Harrogate Borough Council is set to bring forward part of its redevelopment of the town’s convention centre over fears it may lose £475,000 in bookings.
A report due before the council’s cabinet next week will recommend setting aside £2.8 million from its reserves to accelerate creating “breakout rooms” in studio 2.
Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said previously that bringing the studio part of the project forward needed to be a priority as it would be a “game changer”.
The work to studio 2 will include the creation of seminar rooms to cater for up to 1,200 people. Currently, the studio only caters for 570 delegates, which can deter some organisations from booking.
The work for studio 2 is now expected to be considered as a standalone project, while approval for the wider first phase of the project is likely to return before councillors at a later date.
The report to councillors says:
“If the studio 2 package is not ready by April 2023, the potential negative impact on the HCC order book would be significant.
“It is highly likely that the contracted events for the period 2023/24 would be lost, as without studio 2 these conferences would exceed the current breakout capacity of the venue.”
£12.9m hit to local economy
The council estimates that if the acceleration of studio 2 is not approved then the authority faces a loss in income of £475,000 and an associated economic impact on the district as a whole of £12.9 million.
This is because events for the convention centre are often booked 18 months in advance.
Read more:
- No final decision on HCC investment until 2022, says council
- Harrogate Convention Centre boss warns big events ‘at risk’ unless £47m refurbishment is accelerated
Ms Lorimer told a cabinet meeting in December 2021 that there was a “strong case” to bring the studio project forward.
She said:
“We are lucky to have one of the largest and most gorgeous auditoriums in the country with just over 1,900 seats, but we only have breakout space for 570 people.
“These larger conference rooms that we are hoping to have in studio 2 will mean we will attract much larger conferences.
“We therefore believe there is a very strong case to accelerate this part of the project.”
The remainder of the project has yet to receive a final go-ahead from councillors and could cost up to £47 million over three phases if approved.
Other plans as part of the project could involve three exhibition halls being demolished to make way for a new 5,000 sq m hall and a refurbished auditorium.
Around £20 million would be needed to complete a first phase of redevelopment, with another phase later.
The prospect of Harrogate Borough Council staff going on strike over pay has been removed after a national ballot.
Trade union Unison balloted members over whether or not to take industrial action after members rejected a 1.75% pay increase last year.
The offer followed a national consultation from the Local Government Association over a pay increase.
Of 62% of Unison members in the Harrogate district, 74% voted to refuse the pay offer.
However, a national ballot held last month on whether to take strike action over the offer saw just 14.5% of Unison members turn out to vote.
Read more:
- Unison Harrogate rejects ‘derisory’ council staff pay offer
- Brimhams Active defends its stance on £8,000 increase for use of Ripon pool
Under government trade union laws, strike action cannot legally progress unless there is at least a 50% turnout for the ballot and the majority votes to strike. Because the national turnout was just 14.5%, the strike will not therefore take place.
David Houlgate, secretary of the Harrogate branch of Unison, said the proposed 1.75% pay offer would only increase pressure on frontline council services.
He said:
“While an overwhelming majority of those who voted were prepared to show their anger at the employers’ derisory 1.75% pay offer by taking strike action, they are prevented from doing so because the number of votes cast in the ballot is less than 50% of the number entitled to vote in the ballot.
“With inflation predicted to hit 6% this year, this amounts to another real terms pay cut for council workers across the country and will increase the pressure on frontline services, already struggling with a huge number of vacancies and losing employees at an alarming rate.”
Council staff ‘deeply unhappy’ over pay
Unison and other trade unions have said they will now look towards next year’s pay offer.
Mike Short, head of local government at Unison, said:
“The results show there’s deep unhappiness among council and education staff about a pay offer so far below the spiralling cost of living.
“There’s a real danger local authorities and schools will now lose staff to employers willing and able to grant above-inflation wage rises. Leading supermarkets, hospitality outlets and other private sector firms have either made, or are considering, pay increases allowing workers to keep on top of rocketing bills.
“Unison will consider its next steps and liaise with other unions when their ballots are complete.”
The Harrogate district’s covid rate has increased again after another 278 cases were reported today.
Latest UK Health Security Agency figures show that the district’s seven-day covid average has risen to 1,117 per 100,000 people — an increase on yesterday’s figure of 1,088.
It remains above the county average, which is 999, and the England rate of 1,006.
The number of positive covid patients currently being treated at the hospital stands at 20.
Read more:
- Harrogate headteacher ‘concerned’ by Cold Bath Road pollution data
- Harrogate district covid rate begins to rise again
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has found a new strain of the Omicron variant, known as BA.2, in Harrogate.
The variant was found in four tests from 101 carried out by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, which is funded by the Department of Health, in the week up to January 15.
However, the dominant strain of Omicron continues to make up most cases in the district.
The UK Health Security Agency has designated BA.2 as a variant under investigation.
With tomorrow’s lifting of Plan B restrictions, the Stray Ferret will no longer report daily updates on infections. However, we will continue to provide coverage on the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the Harrogate district.
Man sentenced for carrying a baseball bat down Parliament StreetA Harrogate man has received a community order after admitting carrying a baseball bat down Parliament Street and making unlawful threats of violence.
Dan Swift, 21, of Fewston Crescent, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday charged with threatening unlawful violence towards other persons which would cause fear for personal safety.
Swift was also charged with carrying a baseball bat on Parliament Street on September 26 last year without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
He pleaded guilty to those charges.
Read more:
- Care worker admits sexually abusing woman at Harrogate care home
- Police case on missing Harrogate woman ‘remains open’
- Man in hospital after being struck by thieves’ getaway van in Ripon
The court imposed a community order, which included 100 hours of unpaid work to be undertaken over the next 12 months.
The court said Swift’s guilty plea was taken into account when imposing the sentence.
Harrogate Station Gateway could take a year longer to complete than expectedWork on Harrogate’s Station Gateway project could continue into 2024 — considerably longer than first indicated.
The scheme was given the green light by North Yorkshire County Council’s executive yesterday, paving the way for its implementation.
The Department for Transport, which is funding the initiative, had set a deadline of March 2023 for completion. Councils supporting it had said in consultation documents “it is anticipated that construction of the scheme will begin in spring 2022 for approximately 12 months”.
But North Yorkshire County Council, which is the lead partner on the scheme, said after yesterday’s meeting the Department for Transport had now advised the deadline could be extended into 2024.
A county council spokesman said:
“Although the Department for Transport set an initial completion date of March 2023, the department has advised that completion could extend into 2024.”
This could lead to longer-term disruption for businesses already concerned about the impact on trade, although the councils have said “we will aim to ensure all roads remain open to traffic at all times, and noise and other disturbance from the works will be minimised”.
What happens now with the gateway?
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access, has hailed the £10.9 million gateway initiative as the “greatest investment in decades” in Harrogate town centre.
Key proposals include reducing Station Parade to one lane and the part pedestrianisation of James Street to encourage more walking and cycling.
Yesterday, senior county councillors gave their backing for the scheme to move to detailed design stage and for a final business case to be drawn up.
The final case will be submitted to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which administers the funding for the Harrogate, Skipton and Selby schemes, which together are worth £42 million.
Read more:
- In depth: What is the economic case for Harrogate’s Station Gateway?
- Business groups claim they’ve been ignored in Station Gateway consultation
- Harrogate set for ‘greatest investment in town centre in decades’
Council bosses said the business case could be submitted by May 2022.
They added work could start on the Harrogate project “later this year”. They had previously indicated work would be underway by spring or summer but now appear to less specific.
Impact on businesses
The council backed the scheme despite considerable opposition from businesses and residents groups.
David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, told councillors that businesses had been “ignored” and that an economic impact study did not take into account the disruption on businesses.
He said:
“Does the economic impact study take into account the disruption delivering this Project will have on businesses already on their knees through to the ongoing impact of covid?”
Barrie Mason, assistant director of highways at the county council, responded to say officers were “reluctant” to make a final economic case while “designs were evolving”.
However, he added that the “foundation” of the council’s economic case had been shared with businesses and the public at a meeting organised by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce in November 2021.
Mr Mason added:
“We delayed publishing a final economic case until after the consultation had been completed and any amendments could be taken into account.”
He went onto to say that the county council would “work closely with contractors” to minimise any disruption to the town centre by construction of the scheme.