Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Connor with you this morning updating you every 15 minutes on how the transport links are near you.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, will show you where the traffic hotspots and temporary traffic lights are and tell you of any train and bus delays.

Let us know if you experience any delays on 01423 27619.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. I am heading over to the news desk now but will be back tomorrow from 6.30am.

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become busy this morning around the following areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate services back on track after person hit by train

Harrogate services are back on track after a person was hit by a train this morning near Leeds.

Trains on the Northern line between York, Harrogate and Leeds as well as the LNER line between London and Leeds were cancelled.

The incident was first reported to British Transport Police (BTP) at 8am. Full service was restored shortly after 10am.

Paramedics also attended reports of a casualty on the tracks near Horsforth in Leeds and took the person to hospital.

BTP has since said it is not currently treating the incident as suspicious.

While the line is now clear, it is likely that there will continue to be disruption between Harrogate and Leeds for the rest of the day.

Read more:

British Transport Police (BTP) said in a statement:

“British Transport Police were called to the line in Leeds at 7.59am today following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended, and a person has been taken to a local hospital.

“This incident is not being treated as suspicious.”

National Rail said in a statement:

“The emergency services have dealt with the incident between Horsforth and Leeds and all lines have reopened.

“Trains between Harrogate and Leeds may continue to be delayed, cancelled or revised whilst the service returns to normal.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Connor with you this morning updating you every 15 minutes on how the transport links are near you.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, will show you where the traffic hotspots and temporary traffic lights are and tell you of any train and bus delays.

Let us know if you experience any delays on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning on the traffic blog. Do keep an eye here for updates on the train disruption this morning. I will be back here from 6.30am tomorrow morning.

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

RHS Harlow Carr set to start work on new bridge

RHS Harlow Carr is set to start work building a new bridge later this year, which has been made possible thanks to the estate of a key supporter.

The Thaliana Bridge will cross the Queen Mother’s Lake at the south end of the gardens to improve access and provide new routes for visitors.

Dr Rachel Leech, whose research into the plant Arabidopsis thaliana inspired the design of the bridge, left money to the RHS as part of her will.

Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as the thale cress or mouse-ear cress, has a small genome of approximately 135 megabase pairs and it was the first plant to have its genomes fully sequenced. This meant it became a model organism for other research programmes.

Gagarin Studio and DP Squared Engineers are behind the project, the same team that recently built a footbridge for Leeds Climate Innovation District.

Work on the Thalina Bridge is expected to start in autumn 2021.

Read more:

It will be 21 metres long and three metres wide, made from steel and pre-weathered larch cladding.

Liz Thwaite, head of site at RHS Harlow Carr, said:

“The new bridge is part of our overall masterplan for the RHS Harlow Carr site, and will improve the flow of people and the overall visitor experience.

“We’re so grateful that Dr Leech’s estate are supporting the project and we’re delighted to be working with Gagarin Studio and DP Squared to design and name the bridge in celebration of this pioneering plant science research.”

Gagarin Studio director, Steve Gittner said:

“The paired curving forms of the bridge not only reflect the site-specific routes and orientation but also refers to the chromosomes of Arabidopsis thaliana.

“The rear curved element forms a back screen, deliberately neutral and simple in appearance, whilst the front balustrade facing the lake and gardens beyond is a sculptural element formed in a sequence of weathered steel fins and faces which vary in density and represent the sequenced RDA of the Arabadopsis Thaliana chromosome.”

Blueprint to ‘level up’ rural North Yorkshire published today

A panel of experts has today published a series of recommendations to ‘level up’ poor rural areas and attract more young people to the county.

The experts are members of North Yorkshire’s Rural Commission, which was established by North Yorkshire County Council in 2019 to tackle some of the issues confronting the county.

North Yorkshire is England’s largest county. Eighty-five per cent of it is classed as very rural or super-sparse and the population density is five times below the national average.

Although employment is high, earnings are noticeably lower and the county’s workforce significantly less qualified than the national average

A total of 24 per cent of the people not working are retired compared to a national average of 13.6 per cent.

And 20 per cent of North Yorkshire’s rural areas have no broadband connection compared to 7 per cent in urban areas.

Today the commission released what it described as “radical and hard hitting” recommendations to address these issues. Read the full report here.

Ageing population

The commission highlighted the economic challenge of having an ageing population by estimating that if North Yorkshire had the same percentage of young working adults as the national average, the area would be £1.5 billion better off annually. The report says:

“Affordable rural housing must become a reality rather than an aspiration and this will require more houses in rural and remote areas rather than on the edges of market towns.”

Read more:

Devolution essential to success

The report also describes devolution as essential for helping to level up the North Yorkshire rural economy

It says central government must ensure additional powers and funding for the devolved authority so it has enough capacity financially to make a difference.

It also calls for the creation of a task force consisting of civil servants, academics, scientists, rural businesses and local communities to advise the devolved authority on implementing the recommendations in this report.

The Very Reverend John Dobson DL, Dean of Ripon and chair of the commission, said:

“The missing generation of younger workers in the county hinders the ability of North Yorkshire to achieve the full potential of an effective economy.

“North Yorkshire needs a strong devolved authority to tackle the problems faced by its rural and remote areas.”

The report describes digital connection as a human right and sets out plans for a mutual bank as a way to invest in sparsely populated areas.

Dean John added:

“We now look to local and national government and many partners and stakeholders to take ownership of these recommendations and make this vision a reality.

“The future of rural communities is at stake.”

 

Colourful celebrations for Harrogate Rotary Club centenary

The Rotary Club of Harrogate has celebrated its centenary by planting a colourful flowerbed in the Valley Gardens.

Coronavirus has meant the club has been forced to cancel and postpone its much bigger events this year.

March 22 had been set as the date for a sold-out centenary concert at the Royal Hall.

Lockdown restrictions meant this couldn’t go through, but they encouraged ticket holders to donate the refunded money to the upkeep of the Royal Hall.

The members dressed in 1920s clothing and even hired a 1920s Rolls Royce as a nod to the Rotary Club’s origins when they met for the dedication ceremony earlier this week.

Read more:

Since 1921, The Rotary Club of Harrogate has raised money for hundreds of causes, from tackling environmental issues to providing affordable accommodation.

Stephen Ellis, district governor for Rotary District 1040, the Mayor and Mayoress, and Rotary Club of Harrogate president John Fordyce

A spokesperson for the club said:

“Great plans to celebrate our centenary have been cancelled or suspended but the Rotary Club of Harrogate did manage to persuade Harrogate Borough Council to dedicate a flowerbed in the town’s famous Valley Gardens.

“The club has always paid a great deal of attention to the environment, having planted many thousands of trees, crocuses and daffodils in the area.

“Outgoing president Alistair Ratcliffe has worked tirelessly to ensure that the centenary bed does credit to the achievements of the club, particularly in what must have been one of the most challenging years for every club president.”

The incoming president John Fordyce hosted the event with the Mayor of Harrogate district, Trevor Chapman.

Harrogate district covid cases rise by 87- but just four hospitalisations

The Harrogate district has recorded a further 87 coronavirus cases today.

With cases climbing locally, the Harrogate district’s seven day infection rate is now at 218 per 100,000, which is higher than the England rate of 206 per 100,000.

According to Public Health England, the total number of cases in the district since last March stands at 8,702.

A total of 331 cases of the Delta variant have been confirmed in the Harrogate district, according to latest government figures.

The number represents cases up to June 30 – and is a 42% increase from the 233 that were reported for the seven days up to June 23.

Read more:

Despite the high number of cases, Harrogate District Hospital is currently caring for just four coronavirus patients.

The hospital has not reported any coronavirus-related deaths since April 11. The covid death toll at the hospital remains at 179.

The high number of cases and relatively low number of coronavirus patients suggests the vaccine programme is working.

Daring abseil at Harrogate hotel raises £16,000 for cat charity

Around 70 volunteers took on a daring abseil down Harrogate’s Crowne Plaza Hotel today to raise money for Yorkshire Cat Rescue.

The event, which was delayed because of coronavirus, took place today between 10am and 4.30pm.

So far the abseil has raised more than £16,000 for the charity, which will use the money to rescue more cats, food, vet bills and shelter.

With so many people taking part and restrictions still in place, the fearless participants were spaced apart in groups of three.

It was a rather damp start to the morning but with little wind, the event could still go ahead.

Jo Beverley, one of the event organisers, told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s huge, that amount of money. Obviously with coronavirus we have been really hit hard in terms of getting cats out to new homes and fundraising.

“So it has been really, really difficult. This just means that we can help more. The more money we have coming in, the more cats we can help.

“This event has been a long time coming. We have had delays after delays but we are here and we are doing it, this is fabulous.”

Read more:

This isn’t the first daring exploit run by the charity; last year it held a ‘firewalk’ in Skipton where participants walked over burning coals.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue has been taking in unwanted cats and kittens and giving them homes for nearly 20 years. As an independent charity, it relies on fundraising to keep going.

Charlie Lovatt, who was dressed as Spiderman and the first to take on the challenge, told the Stray Ferret:

“If you are going to go down a building, you need to do it in style. It just felt necessary, I bought the Spiderman outfit for the occasion.

“It was alright, I have abseiled before. But it was quite high and it went really quick.”

Dan Howard, who has hosted pub quizzes for Yorkshire Cat Rescue over the last year was also roped in for the abseil. He told the Stray Ferret:

“It was really fun. The hardest thing was getting over the edge. Once you feel the rope has you it feels a bit more comfortable and you can have more fun with it.

“I started getting involved with the charity in the first lockdown. Through the quizzes alone we raised about £5,000.”

Butterflies and bees inspire hidden gem Pateley Bridge ceramic artist

The wonderful, whimsical and colourful worlds of butterflies and bees have inspired the rise of this hidden gem of a ceramic artist in Pateley Bridge.

Fiona Mazza Ceramics is based in the King Street Workshops. It was once a base for bin lorries and rat catchers, but is now a crafts hub where people work on and sell their creations.

She has perfected her craft over the past two decades, starting in the garage of her home in Harrogate but working at a dedicated workshop for the past six years.

It takes a lot of different skills and plenty of time, something people do not always appreciate when they are more used to the quick and cheap products from a factory line.

Read more:

“I think people are quite detached from the process as well. TV shows can open people’s eyes a little bit but then they see them rushing things through.

“The turnaround for me is around four weeks from start to finish. If you drive clay too quickly things can start to crack and warp.

“I like to work intimately with each piece. There are all sorts of people who do enjoy what I do though. It’s always nice to meet the people buying your work.”

Customers who find the workshop, which is not far from the high street, will likely find Fiona sitting at her wheel moulding out a lump of clay.

Most of her work has at least a subtle nod to her love of nature, normally butterflies and bees.

“I am not an expert but I do love butterflies. I enjoy the colour so that sparked that interest. My grandfather was a big beekeeper as well, with more than a hundred hives.

“A few years ago now I tried to keep some bees as well but it is quite a lot of hard work so I have stepped back from that.

“The bees and butterflies are fascinating creatures so I just want to capture their beauty.”

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting small, independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

Harrogate man’s homophobic abuse after England game

A gay man has spoken of his shock at hearing homophobic abuse in a shop in Harrogate after England beat Germany 2-0.

England captain Harry Kane wore a rainbow armband during Tuesday’s match to show support for LGBT+ people during Pride month.

But the following morning the man, who asked not to be named, was visiting a shop close to the centre of town and heard staff laughing about the armband and talking about how gay people were “disgusting and weird”.

This prompted the openly gay man to tell them to think before they speak.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“While they did not direct these comments at me, they were aimed at people like me in a way. I was shocked that they would say such things so freely.

“People just seem to be missing kindness. I just worry if this is how gay people are treated today what it will be like for the next generation.

“I am young and have not been out for a long time but I have already endured so much homophobic abuse, we need to talk about it.

“Just in Harrogate I get so many funny looks if I wear more feminine clothes. People have called me a f***** and a freak. It needs to stop.”

Read more:

He was not alone in suffering abuse after the England game. Steve Russell, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, was also abused in the town centre.

A woman told him she was “proud to be white and British because we’re better than people like you”.