Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Yorkshire Water begins installing parking charges equipment at Harrogate district reservoirs

Work is set to begin this week to install equipment and infrastructure at Harrogate district reservoirs as part of a parking charges trial.

Yorkshire Water is undertaking the work at Swinsty Moor car park today, with Swinsty Stack Point, Thruscross and Fewston set to follow afterwards.

The company is introducing payment machines and automatic number plate recognition cameras at the reservoirs.

It will see charges introduced at the car parks from early 2024.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said:

“We know how important our sites are to local communities and visitors alike. We have thought long and hard about the way people use our sites before implementing this trial, as well as considering approaches at similar sites around the country. We believe a small parking fee and increased security will help to dissuade anti-social behaviour, such as fly-tipping, at our sites but also have a long-term positive impact in terms of the projects we can deliver in the future.

“Our brand-new, in-house ranger team will be supported as a direct result of introducing these charges and we have a wide range of exciting conservation, community and facilities enhancements lined up for the future.

“We will be collaborating with local authorities and local stakeholders to ensure the introduction of these tariffs in 2024 causes minimal disruption and will be working hard to ensure all our visitors are aware of the charges before they arrive at our sites.”

Car park users will be able to pay via card payment on site, by using the RingGo app or telephone.

The proposed tariffs will be one hour at £1, two hours at £2, six hours at £3 and an all day pass for £5.

Meanwhile, an annual pass for all car parks will cost £30.

Parking will remain free for blue badge holders.

Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions, based in York, has been appointed to operate the parking meters.

Police release CCTV image after fight in Harrogate McDonald’s

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after a fight in McDonald’s in Harrogate.

The incident happened on Sunday, October 15, and involved multiple people fighting in the fast food outlet on Cambridge Road at 4.30am.

North Yorkshire Police has arrested two men, aged 19 and 31, in connection with the incident.

Now, officers have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to as part of their investigation.

A police statement added:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email benjamin.ambler2@northyorkshire.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote reference number 12230195734 when passing on information.”

Council plans extra care housing scheme for Cardale Park

North Yorkshire Council has proposed building an extra care housing scheme on land at Cardale Park in Harrogate.

The authority purchased the three-acre site in on Beckwith Head Lane in January 2022 for £1.8 million.

The land was previously owned by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, which runs mental health services in the district.

Now, the council has launched a survey on creating an extra care housing scheme on the site.

Extra care housing is specialist housing designed for older people. It offers help with personal care and household chores and is designed to give residents independence.

The authority said the project could become an “asset to the local community” in light of the extensive housebuilding planned for the west of Harrogate.

In its survey, it said:

“We acknowledge that the site, at present, is fairly remote, however, the proposed plan for local development includes building over 1,200 new homes, a primary school, a cricket pitch, a football hub and community woodland space, creating a vibrant surrounding community hub, with the extra care scheme becoming an asset to the local community, providing affordable housing for older people in an idyllic rural location.”

The deadline for the council’s survey is November 29.

The land was previously given approval for a 36-bed mental health facility on the site, following the closure of Harrogate District Hospital’s Briary Unit, which helped adults with mental illness.

However, those plans were dropped in 2019 and inpatients on the unit were sent to Foss Park Hospital in York instead.

New Harrogate Town stand to double away capacity

A new away stand at Harrogate Town is expected to nearly double the capacity for travelling fans.

Sarah Barry, chief executive at the club, confirmed at a fans forum at the Cedar Court hotel on Thursday that the standing terrace is expected to be completed in 10 days time.

The stand is expected to increase the away capacity from 600 to at least 1,148.

Ms Barry told supporters that the ongoing building work at the ground had seen the capacity reduced to 450.

Meanwhile, a seated home stand is also set to finish construction this month.

Ms Barry said:

“The away standing terrace that is being built, all being well and subject to all the usual sign offs with safety advisory group and building control, should be ready in theory for the end of next week.

“That’s really good news. The seated stand is a home stand and that should be ready by the end of the month.”

The new stands will include another refreshment kiosk for home supporters and bar for away supporters, which are expected to be complete in January.

Ms Berry added that the club was expecting a big crowd for the Wrexham game, which will take place on November 28.

She said the club hoped to have the new away terrace operational in time for the match against the Welsh side.

Meanwhile, Irving Weaver, Town chairman, told the forum that he still hoped to find the club a dedicated training ground in the Harrogate district.

Mr Weaver said the club had made “five or six” attempts in “five or six years” to find a site.

He said:

“It is right at the top of the agenda.

“Having got the ground itself. into an acceptable form in the EFL, we will move forward with our own facilities. It will be cheaper than hiring facilities from the West Riding County FA.”

Mr Weaver said he wanted a site that would be able to accommodate all players from the player development centre to the first team.

Harrogate Railway FC duo looking to rebuild and grow

Mick Edwards and Fraser Lancaster want to build something at Harrogate Railway Athletic FC.

After two seasons of promotion pushes, the club has had a reset. Managers and backroom staff have left and a new regime is in charge.

But the parameters of success have changed — both want to build a club from the bottom and aim to have a community-led outfit.

Rebuilding Railway

Mick has Harrogate Railway in his blood.

His grandad, Norman Edwards, was one of three founder members of the club in 1935.

Norman worked on the railway in Starbeck when he founded the club. He and the other founder members sewed together stop and go flags in order to create the now recognisable red and green kit.

Mick himself played for the club, and also had stints at Bradford City and Middlesborough as a youngster.

He returned to club in 2018 as chairman. Now, he wants a community club with an emphasis on youth and, potentially, a drive to fan ownership.

“We’re trying to build something different.

“They [other clubs] are looking for success, whereas for us success is to stay in this league and produce two to three brilliant players and a good type of football which I think we have achieved already.

“That’s what our set up as a club is. It’s building the club all over again and that’s what we want.”

Railway is a volunteer-led club. From the secretary to first team manager, all give up their time up to keep it going.

Fraser Lancaster.

Fraser has worked his way up to first team coach.

He joined the side in the 2015/16 season as a player and went onto become reserve team manager, where he had success with promotions.

Following the departure of Mick O’Connell to Tadcaster Albion at the start of this season, Fraser was drafted in alongside Rob Youhill.

O’Connell led Railway to two play off campaigns. In 2021/22, they lost to North Ferriby in the final and last season fell short in the semi-finals against Horbury Town.

Fraser’s job has been to stabilise the side with an emphasis on utilising young players — the average age of the Railway squad is 21.

Despite the young age, he feels the side is in a good position in the league.

“We’re more than holding our own technically against a lot of these teams.

“Maybe against the direct, physical and experienced sides, some of the lads are not quite used to that yet. The dark arts, shall I say.

“If you’re 17 or 18 and stepping into that, it can be intimidating. But it is a steep learning curve for those players. This season is a learning curve for them.”

Currently, at the time of writing, Railway sit 11th in the Northern Counties East Division One – four steps below the English Football League.

Despite last season’s play-off heartbreak, Fraser is taking it game-by-game and not getting ahead of himself with where the club may finish.

“Let’s see where we end up. I would love us to go and compete in the play-offs, but we are being realistic at the same time.

“Everyone is on the same page.”

Fan-owned club

Mick has ambitions for Harrogate Railway.

The club has a lot of history to look back on.

Railway had two famous FA Cup ties live on television against Bristol City in 2002 and Mansfield Town at home in the second round in 2008, which required temporary stands to cope with demand.

Despite the history, the club needs to regroup and build, says Mick.

He floats the idea of the club being fan-owned, something other non-league sides such as FC United of Manchester have done successfully.

The club is already tied to community, including its relationship with Harrogate Hospital Charity and offering its land for Starbeck Community Day. Last week, the club also held its own fireworks display.

For Mick, success looks different to what happens on the pitch.

He wants to grow the fanbase from the current average of 150 spectators at a home game at Station View in Starbeck to closer to 200.

From there, Mick sees potential for a fan-owned club.

“My aim is for the club to become a fan-owned club.

“You look at the fan-owned clubs and they all do quite well. It’s just something that we’re looking into.”

Mick Edwards

Mick also points to the infrastructure at the ground, some of which dates back to when the club was founded.

The club plans to upgrade its perimeter fence and floodlights with grants from the league.

“Those floodlights have been there for around 35 to 40 years. That fencing has been there I should think since my grandad started.”

To Mick, increasing the volunteers, improving the infrastructure and pushing Railway towards a more community orientated focus is success.

Both believe that Railway is here for Harrogate and has a story to tell. Fraser says:

“You only have to look at the pictures on the wall as you came in of all the past successes, the cup wins and various different things.”

Bottesford Town are next to visit Station View on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the club also has a big draw in the West Riding County Cup against National League FC Halifax Town.

For Mick, the ties are an opportunity to show supporters what Railway has to offer.

“Harrogate Railway has got a good history and it has got a good story to tell.”

If you have any local sporting heroes who you think should be featured in Sporting Spotlight, contact calvin@thestrayferret.co.uk.

North Yorkshire combined authority could be launched in January

A combined authority in York and North Yorkshire could be in operation in the new year after an order was laid before parliament.

The combined authority, which will be overseen by a directly elected mayor, is expected to have powers to make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

An order which would establish the organisation was laid before Parliament on Tuesday (November 7).

It paves the way for a North Yorkshire devolution deal, which is worth £540 million over 30 years, to become law.

MPs are now expected to consider the draft order before Christmas.

James Farrar, interim director of transition for the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, said:

“Subject to progress, a new combined authority could be operational in January and formally launched in February.

“A mayoral election would take place on 2nd May 2024.”

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, added:

“The prospect of bringing more decision-making powers and millions of pounds in additional funding from the government will bring real and tangible benefits for hundreds of thousands of people in York and North Yorkshire.”

The move to set up a combined authority comes as North Yorkshire agreed a historic devolution deal with government.

The proposed devolution deal includes a £7 million investment to drive green economic growth towards the ambition of York and North Yorkshire becoming the country’s first carbon negative region.

There is also proposed investment of up to £2.65 million to deliver affordable low-carbon housing, and £13 million for the building of new homes on brownfield land during 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The elected mayor will make decisions on investments in strategic priorities such as for transport, housing, and adult education.

The mayor will also have responsibilities for community safety and strategic responsibility for the totality of policing, fire and crime for York and North Yorkshire.

They will appoint a deputy mayor to carry out many of the powers and duties of the role currently known as police, fire and crime commissioner.

Developers silent over planned Harrogate Starbucks

Developers behind a former Leon restaurant in Harrogate which was due to become a Starbucks have remained silent on the scheme.

North Yorkshire Council approved plans to change the signage around the Wetherby Road site to Starbucks branding in August but the building remains closed.

Permission was given for a total of 20 signs, just over half of which would be illuminated, including totem signs, menus and directional signs around the drive-through.

Leon, which opened last June, closed its doors on April 2 with the loss of around 20 jobs.

It was operated by Blackburn-based EG Group, which also runs Starbucks franchises as well as brands including KFC and Greggs.

The Stray Ferret asked EG Group for an update on the project and whether it had confirmed an opening date, but received no response by the time of publication.

We also asked Starbucks whether it had a potential launch date for the new store.

In response, a spokesperson for the company said:

“I’m afraid we don’t comment on pieces of planning application.”

Currently, the building has been empty for seven months and has been stripped of its Leon branding and signage.

The coffee brand has only one existing presence in the Harrogate district, on Cambridge Street in the town centre.

Harrogate Lib Dems criticise Yorkshire Water £2m executive payments

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have criticised Yorkshire Water after it paid senior executives £2 million in bonuses last year.

Companies House documents show the water firm paid a total of £2.09 million to four executives in the year ending March 2023.

The move comes as Yorkshire Water has faced criticism this year for pumping sewage into local rivers.

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the water industry had become a “gravy train”.

He added that chief executives of water companies should be banned from taking bonuses.

Mr Gordon said:

“Our local waterways are being pumped full of raw disgusting sewage, all whilst the water firm hand themselves insulting pay-outs. The whole thing stinks. These salaries and perks have reached eye-watering levels, yet Conservative ministers refuse to act.

“I was shocked that there was literally no mention of sewage in the King’s Speech.

“It is time to rip up Yorkshire Water so it no longer puts profit before the environment. The firm is clearly not working how it should and is not listening to local concerns on sewage discharges.

“This country’s water industry has become a gravy train where sewage and money flows freely. This is a scandal and happening on this government’s watch.”

In response, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:

“The pay of our directors is set by a remuneration committee, which is independent from our executives, and is comparable within the industry.

“Any incentive payments are strongly linked to company performance and align with best practice and regulatory guidance.”

The comments come as Yorkshire Water recently submitted a £7.8 billion proposal to Ofwat as part of investment plans for 2025 to 2030.

The company’s plan includes £3.1 billion to improve resilience in the water network, £4.3 billion to protect river and coastal water quality and investment in customer service and financial support for customers.

However, it would mean average bills would rise from £438.12 in 2024/25 (£36.51 per month) to £518.76 in 2025/26 (£43.23 per month) with increases each year thereafter.

Mr Gordon previously described the move as “utterly scandalous”.

However, Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the plan was a step up for Yorkshire Water and would help to “strengthen” plans for a bathing water application for the River Nidd.

Welcome to Yorkshire owed £3m to creditors, say liquidators

Failed tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire owed £3m to creditors, according to the latest liquidator report.

The organisation was placed into administration in March 2022 after officials blamed the impact of covid and the “task of securing sufficient funding”.

A report by Armstrong Watson, which was appointed liquidator in August last year, showed that it owed £3 million to unsecured creditors.

A previous administrator’s report from April 2022 had initially estimated Welcome to Yorkshire would owe £1.8 million to 67 creditors.

Among them is North Yorkshire Council, which is due £1.3 million in relation to the North Yorkshire Pension Fund.

The Stray Ferret has approached the council to ask whether it is still pursuing the money and if it expects a repayment from liquidators. However, we had not received a response by the time of publication.

Armstrong Watson said in its report that it was unable to confirm what payment would be made to creditors at this stage.

It said:

“I am currently in the process of reviewing and agreeing unsecured creditors’ claims as there will be sufficient funds to pay a dividend.

“Unfortunately, at this stage I cannot confirm the level of the dividend payable as this is contingent upon agreeing both secondary preferential and unsecured creditor claims.”

Meanwhile, staff claims totalling £9,570 have been repaid in full.

A sum of £296,000 owed to HMRC is also expected to be paid in full, but liquidators are continuing discussions with the body.

Keith Tordoff, who is running for independent mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said the loss of the brand was “a massive failure”.

He said:

“The loss of the Welcome to Yorkshire brand and of course the invested monies is a massive failure by some members of the North Yorkshire Council who were either on the board of Welcome to Yorkshire or those authorising the unsecured loans.

“The taxpayers deserve better and those councillors on North Yorkshire who were involved should consider their position.”

The move comes after administrators sold the tourism body’s assets and website last year.

Yorkshire Dales business, Silicon Dales, purchased Yorkshire.com, its social media accounts and the rights to the Tour de Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Council had initially bid for the assets, but was outbid by the private firm.

Man in 90s dies after Harrogate collision

A man who was seriously injured after a collision between Harrogate and Killinghall has died.

The man, who was in his 90s, had just got off the bus when he was struck by a Ford Fiesta travelling northbound on Monday night (November 6).

He was left in a serious condition in hospital.

The incident took place on the A61, on the bridge close to the junction with Knox Mill Lane, at 5.50pm. A 36 bus stop is situated on the bridge.

This evening, North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the man has died.

A force statement said:

“His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.”

Officers have also appealed for witnesses and dash cam footage to help with the investigation into the collision.

Police added:

“Officers are continuing their enquiries and are renewing the appeal for information or dash cam footage.

“Anyone who could help the investigation is asked to email MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone 101, quoting reference number 12230211344.”

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