Traffic lights near Ripley finally set to be removed

Traffic lights on Fountains Road at Ripley, which have been in place since early December, look set to be removed soon.

The lights were installed after storms in December flooded a notorious stretch of road (pictured), which runs between Ripley and Sawley.

The Stray Ferret reported on the issue last month after there appeared to be no end in sight for the traffic lights – despite a brief dry spell and respite period from flooding.

At the time, we asked North Yorkshire Council when the lights would be removed and what long-term flood prevention measures would be put in place. A spokesperson said:

“Before the traffic lights are removed, we must jet the gullies and inspect the carrier drain.

“Officers hope to be on site in the next few weeks.”

The council has now provided an update.

Melisa Burnham, the council’s highways area manager, told the Stray Ferret yesterday:

“The traffic lights were installed following heavy rainfall, resulting in an area of flooding.

“We appreciate the inconvenience the disruption has caused, but the safety of the travelling public is our top priority.

“Our officers finished unblocking the gullies on Tuesday (February 13) and the water has drained away. The road will now be repaired by the end of the week, and it can then reopen.”

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Knaresborough wall repair completed five weeks early

North Yorkshire Council has confirmed work to fix a Knaresborough wall has been completed five weeks earlier than expected.

The £200,000 project began after a section of the wall on Briggate collapsed on to the road last September. Nobody was hurt, but rubble remained on the road for almost three months after.

Initial repair work began at the end of November and paused over Christmas, but resumed last month to fix another section of the wall.

Two-way traffic lights were put in place on January 8 by the council, which said the maintenance work was due to be completed by Friday, March 14.

However, traffic lights were removed last Friday (February 9) – just over a month after the work began.

The Stray Ferret contacted the council to ask if the work had paused or finished. We also asked if it had been carried out with effective long-term maintenance measures in place after a reader in Calcutt got in touch to say he didn’t see any reconstruction of the wall take place and “most of the work was repointing”.

A spokesperson responded:

“I’m pleased to confirm the work has been completed ahead of schedule.”

The wall pictured at Christmas before the latest repairs.

A  Freedom of Information request submitted by the Stray Ferret revealed the wall was assessed as safe three times in the weeks before it collapsed despite complaints that it was crumbling and damaged by weeds.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough East, told the council in June 2022 that the wall “could potentially be a risk to life”.

‘Lessons must be learned’

Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West, today told the Stray Ferret the “sorry saga would never have happened if the wall had been properly maintained”, adding:

“The cost involved does not represent value for money for the taxpayer. As the work has taken less time than anticipated the council should now look to challenge the price. A local builder told me they could have done the work for a third of the price; had they been asked to tender. I will be asking the council to review its process for tendering and awarding of contracts.

“I would expect as a minimum the wall to be safety checked on an annual basis. Although a schedule of inspection hasn’t been confirmed with me. If residents raise any concerns they should be listened to and acted upon.

“The contractor should be congratulated for getting the work done ahead of time and I now hope the council can get the road resurfaced as planned in April.”

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Bishop Monkton man with ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’ jailed for 26 weeks

A Bishop Monkton man who drove an uninsured vehicle while disqualified and resisted arrest has been jailed for 26 weeks.

Paul Moehr was also banned from driving for 89 months when he was sentenced at York Magistrates Court yesterday.

Moehr, 51, of St John’s Road, pleaded guilty to four charges: driving whilst disqualified; obstructing a constable in the execution of duty; use of a vehicle on a road without third party insurance and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

The court heard he drove a Vauxhall Vectra whilst disqualified and uninsured on North Street in Ripon on January 20, 2024.  On the same day, he resisted police at the White Horse Inn, in Ripon.

He also admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he was taken into custody at Harrogate Police Station on the same day.

Magistrates said he “had a flagrant disregard for court orders”, which played a part in his sentencing, alongside a previous record of offending and persistent driving offences.

Moehr was also ordered to pay £154 to the court.

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‘Fire-damaged’ pub near Knaresborough for sale at £495,000

A pub near Knaresborough that suffered two fires in three years has been put up for sale.

The Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe has remained closed since the second fire in August last year.

Now, after months of uncertainty, the inn has been offered for sale for £495,000.

According to Fleurets, the listing agent, the pub was “superbly successful” with a turnover in the region of £900,000 in recent years.

However, it acknowledged “the kitchen was damaged by a fire in August”, adding:

“The business has not re-opened and the tenant has left.

“The landlord has undertaken works to make good the damage caused by the fire, and the kitchen is ready to be fitted out.”

It said the remainder of the property was in “very good condition, unaffected by the fire and ready to trade”.

The interior of The Tiger Inn. Pic: Fleurets.

Fleurets said the two-storey property included a ground floor bar and restaurant and a recently refurbished studio flat upstairs.

It added:

“The front bar is in three sections.. The three sections can accommodate 10, 16 and 18 covers for dining. The right side extends into the restaurant area providing 68 covers.

“[It includes] ladies, gents and disabled toilets, an office and an upland beer store. The catering kitchen is huge, and purchasers may choose to reduce its size prior to refitting.”

The property, which is under a freehold tenure, also still holds a premises licence.

The upstairs flat. Pic: Fleurets.

The Stray Ferret has reported on the fires at the Tiger Inn over the years – most recently in November.

It suffered its first fire in November 2020. The blaze, which started in the kitchen, lasted for six hours and caused widespread damage to the site.

It then re-opened after renovations in October 2021, only for a second blaze, attributed to an overheating ice machine, to occur last year.

The blaze at the Tiger Inn pub in Coneythorpe yesterday (November 13).

The fire in 2020.

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Business Breakfast: Duchy Hospital rated ‘good’ by Care Quality Commission

The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate, has been rated ‘good’ in a recent report by the Care Quality Commission.

The hospital, which is part of Circle Health Group, was assessed to be good in all five categories: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The healthcare watchdog also rated the surgery, outpatients and diagnostic and screen service departments as good.

The inspection, which took place in November, was the first since 2017, after which the hospital was rated “requires improvement”.

Michelle Eardley, executive director of the hospital, said:

“This is a challenging time for people working in healthcare and to have had our culture and delivery of care recognised as making a difference to the patients we care for is incredibly rewarding.

“We are fully committed to delivering the best possible care for patients in Harrogate and further afield. We look forward to building on this to achievement and working towards obtaining an “outstanding” rating across all domains.”

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce to meet tonight

The monthly Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting will take place tonight.

The meeting will focus on corporate social responsibility and will include speakers from Harrogate Spring Water, EnviroVent and the charity Supporting Older People.

Chamber chief executive officer Martin Mann said:

“Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer simply a business buzzword or tick box exercise; it is fundamental to modern business practice.

“Organisations that live and breathe strong social and environmental values positively impact the communities and people around them, making for a better place to live and do business.”

The meeting will be held at The Old Swan Hotel, from 5.30pm – 8pm.

Ripon restaurant nominated for national award

Jaflong in Ripon has been shortlisted for Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year.

The winner will be announced at the National Curry Awards in Manchester next week.

Salauddin Khan, owner of Jaflong, said:

“Our priority is always to give our customers the best experience in food preparation. We are delighted that our passion for excellence has been recognised in these awards.”

The restaurant, which is on Kirkgate, gained national recognition at the same awards event last year.

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Schools and attractions close early as snow hits Harrogate district

Several schools and attractions closed early today due to widespread snow in the Harrogate district. Here’s a look back at what happened.

6.04pm: Bus diversion

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1755649562037862600

5.52pm: No reports of rush hour travel woes

Rail operator Northern has not reported any delays and we are unaware of any major issues on the roads at rush hour. Do let us know if you know otherwise so we can spread the word. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5.28pm: Angel of Killinghall

Five-year-old Sofia Grace has been making the most of the snow in Killinghall. Here she is making snow angels and riding the exercise machine in the village park.

Thanks to her mother Simon Beckett and Melanie Beckett for sending them, do keep sending us your photos to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5.10pm: Gritters out!

North Yorkshire Council has posted on social media that its fleet of gritters is out tonight.

 

5.04pm: Did highways gritting chief come a cropper on ungritted road?

You may have seen our post earlier in this blog about Cllr Keane Duncan, the executive member for highways at North Yorkshire Council and mayoral hopeful, coming off the road near Pateley Bridge in his campervan this morning,

It appears the road is one not gritted by the council. You can read more here.

4.29pm: Deeper snow in Nidderdale

This post on X shows a fair dollop of snow has settled at Greenhow, near Pateley Bridge.

https://twitter.com/juliatetley/status/1755609043090178543

4.03pm: Children making the most of the snow

The fresh snow is heaven for children, and Tobias, seen here, is making the most of it. Do send us your photos and updates by emailing us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

3.31pm: Two-year-old Tobias enjoying the snow

Tobias, 2, is enjoying the snow in Birstwith.

His family sent us this photo.

Pic: Ann Taylor.

2.46pm: Harrogate College announces early closure and cancelled event

Harrogate College took to social media to say the college will close at 3pm today.

It also said, “due to the heavy snow”, tonight’s Apprenticeship Open Event has been cancelled.

2.21pm: Road conditions worsen towards Harrogate

A nearby resident, who sent us the photos below, told us traffic coming into Harrogate on the A61 is “crawling” from Almsford Bank towards the Oatlands crossroads.

She said road conditions have “got worse” in a short space of time.

2.06pm: Snow sees no sign of easing in Harrogate

Snow is continuing to fall around Harrogate. This is on Leeds Road, where it sees no sign of easing soon.

2.02pm: Further update about Springwater School

Chris Watt provided another update about Springwater School, in Starbeck. He posted this on X and tagged the Stray Ferret.

@thestrayferret @HgateAdvertiser Further update from Springwater School #Starbeck: *weather update*
Further transport providers have asked to collect children early, please contact your child or young persons transport to confirm what time your child will arrive home.

— Chris Watt (@ChrisWatt4) February 8, 2024

1.49pm: Oatlands Infant School to close at 2pm

Oatlands Infant School, in Harrogate, is closing at 2pm today.

1.45pm: Early collection at Bilton Grange Primary 

Parents can collect children from Bilton Grange Primary School early this afternoon. Pick-up began at 1pm.

1.41pm: 2pm collection at Springwater School

Thanks to Chris Watt for posting this on X about Springwater School in Starbeck and tagging us.

@thestrayferret Springwater School in #Starbeck have provided the following snow update: Dignity minibuses and IPT buses have let us know that they will be collecting children at 2pm – please make arrangements to be home to collect your children and young people early.

— Chris Watt (@ChrisWatt4) February 8, 2024

 

1.36pm: View at highest point in the district

How is it looking at Greenhow Hill, near Pateley Bridge — the highest point in the Harrogate district? Here’s the latest from North Yorkshire Council’s live weathercam.

 

1.16pm: Starbeck Primary Academy allows early collection

Thanks to Starbeck resident Chris Watt for the update. Do let us know how things are where you are so we can update this blog.

@thestrayferret @StarbeckPrimary are allowing parents to collect their children early if they are concerned about travel, but are currently remaining open as normal. #Starbeck

— Chris Watt (@ChrisWatt4) February 8, 2024

1.10pm: Dogs having fun in Harrogate

Snow is settling — and dogs are enjoying it.

1.01pm: Weather warning across UK

The Met Office has published this image showing most of the country is affected by weather warnings for snow, ice and rain.

12.52pm: Harrogate High School to close too

Harrogate High School contacted the Stray Ferret to say it will be closing at 1pm today.

12.47pm: Tory mayoral candidate runs into a spot of bother…

The snow has also caused problems for Tory mayoral candidate, Keane Duncan, who is currently taking on a 100-day campervan trip around North Yorkshire.

Mr Duncan took to social media after Peggy, his van, got stuck in the mud near Lofthouse.

He said the “heroic efforts” of two Lofthouse locals meant he and Peggy were back on the road quickly after.

Pic: Keane Duncan on X, formerly Twitter.

12.40pm: Nidderdale High School

Nidderdale High School is closing at 12.45pm today.

12.37pm: RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, in Harrogate, closed at 11.45am today.

It took to social media to say this was to “ensure the safety of all our visitors, staff and volunteers”.

12.30pm: Harrogate Grammar School

Harrogate Grammar School is officially closing at 1.15pm.

12.30pm: Rossett School

Rossett School is also closing at 1.15pm.

12.30pm: St Aidan’s School

St Aidan’s School said it is officially closing at 1.30pm.

Outwood Academy in Ripon, Ripon Grammar School and Boroughbridge High School all said they had no plans to close early.

Snow

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Another cyclist knocked off bike in Harrogate collision

A cyclist was knocked off his bike in a collision with a vehicle in Harrogate yesterday (Tuesday, February 6).

North Yorkshire Police, which is now appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage, said the incident happened at around 7.30am on the B6161 Oaker Bank.

Both the cyclist and the car were travelling towards the Jubilee Roundabout prior to the collision, the force added.

Police today said:

“The car driver did not stop at the scene.

“The vehicle is believed to be a white Volkswagen Golf, 2014-2019 model. A wing mirror light bar and cover were detached during the collision, and so the car will have distinctive damage to its wing mirror.”

Officers said the cyclist, a man in his 40s, was “not seriously injured”. They added:

“If you were the car driver involved, please contact North Yorkshire Police.

“In addition, anyone who witnessed the collision, recognises the car involved, or is aware of a VW Golf with wing mirror damage, is asked to get in touch.

“Please email david.minto@northyorkshire.police.uk, or call 101, quoting reference 12240022993.”

This is the fourth incident of its kind in less than two months.

It follows a spate of separate incidents, which saw three cyclists knocked off their bikes in Harrogate in just one month.

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Harrogate Town manager and winger nominated for Sky Bet awards

Harrogate Town AFC manager, Simon Weaver, and winger, Abraham Odoh, have both been nominated for Sky Bet League Two awards.

Weaver, who has been the club’s manager since 2009, has been shortlisted for the manager of the month award after a successful run that has taken the team into the promotion reckoning.

The English Football League said Weaver has gained momentum in the second half of last season and “continues to gather pace in North Yorkshire”, adding:

“The momentum gained in the second half of last season continues to gather pace in North Yorkshire.

“Weaver has made light of recent injuries to guide his side calmly into the promotion race with 10 points from four unbeaten matches.”

Lee Bell of Crewe Alexandra, Graham Coughlan of Newport County and Karl Robinson of Salford City are all up for the manager of the month award.

Read more:

Abraham Odoh, 23, who joined the club last summer following a spell at Rochdale, is one of four players up for the Player of the Month award.

The EFL said although he is a winger Mr Odoh “pops up all across the Harrogate front line” and “takes on defenders at will”. It added:

“Witness his stunning solo goal against Doncaster and a fine assist at Forest Green. Two goals and two assists in four games.”

Wrexham’s Steven Fletcher, Notts County’s Jodi Jones and Danilo Orsi of Crawley Town are also among those nominated for the award.

Harrogate Town are currently eighth in the league.

The team will play Colchester United at home on Saturday.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate Food and Drink Company to cater the MOBO Awards

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Don’t miss out and click here to book your tickets now for the awards night on March 14 2024. 

Harrogate Food and Drink Company has landed a catering contract for the MOBO Awards this week.

The company will spend four days providing the catering for artists, crew and media at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.

The MOBO Awards, which launched in 1996, celebrates hip hop, grime, R’n’B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and African music.

Artists such as Central Cee, Dave, Stormzy, Jorja Smith and RAYE are among those nominated for a MOBO this year.

Andi Aikman, owner of the Harrogate Food and Drink Company, said:

“This is not our first rodeo. This is undoubtedly a massive event for us, but we regularly cater for big events with equally as demanding customers.

“The priority is to ensure that all the hardworking contributors to these awards are fed regularly – they need their energy.”

Harrogate hairstylist shortlisted for national award

Luan Barlow, owner of Harrogate-based Luan Hairstylist Extensions Bridal, has been shortlisted for two awards at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards.

Ms Barlow is a finalist in the Best Bridal Individual and Hair Extension Specialist categories.

She said:

“I am completely overwhelmed once again, my small business has grown so quickly in such a short space of time, and now for the second year running I am a finalist in one of the most prestigious hair and beauty awards!

“Not only for one category this year but for two which is an incredible achievement. I cannot wait to see where my business will be in the next few years and I’m proud to be representing small businesses in Harrogate.”

Knaresborough energy company to sponsor local 10k run

Harmony Energy, a renewable energy company in Knaresborough, is set to sponsor the Burton Leonard 10k and 3k races.

The event, which began more than 30 years ago, will raise money for Ripon Community House, which provides emergency food parcels those in need locally, as well as the village school.

Peter Kavanagh, chief executive office of Harmony Energy, said:

“We’re delighted to be supporting such a brilliant local event. It will be great to see people of all ages taking part and enjoying the day.

“Sport and fitness are vital to people and to communities, and we’re delighted to support local races like this.”

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Floods heighten concerns about state of Harrogate district drains and gullies

Harrogate district residents have expressed concerns about the state of local drains and gullies.

Recent storms have led to flooding and although water levels are high, the Stray Ferret has had a flurry of messages from readers who feel the infrastructure to deal with rain is inadequate.

Paul Kelley said Slingsby Walk in Harrogate had been turned into a stream and residents were having to take action. He said:

“For many months, indeed years in others’ experience, excess water runs off the Stray and creates a stream along Slingsby Walk footpath and on St James Drive where it floods at the lowest point.

“Residents are having to run a floodwatch, involving at times hourly clearance of debris from the few functioning gullies. On occasions this involves standing in the road at night or hacking ice away and risking slipping.

“Both the excess water and ice are hazards to walkers, cyclists, and motorists. The route is a designated cycleway! An accident is waiting to happen.”

Mr Kelley said he and his neighbours had highlighted the issue to a councillor but were “not getting anywhere”.

He added:

“The only significant thing to have happened, after months of asking, is a gully wagon was allegedly sent out last week.

“Well at least one, opposite me, is still full of debris!”

‘Foul water bubbling up’ near Pannal

Robert Newton said he saw “toilet paper and other stuff” flowing among the flooded areas near Almsford Bank in Pannal.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“[This] then ran down across the public footpath and into the River Crimple.

“We hear all the time about sewage in our watercourses, but for this to flow right across where people walk and take their dogs and kids really surprised me. I would have thought this was a public health issue.

“There is obviously something seriously amiss as the foul water is bubbling up from underground all around the main outfall area.”

The Stray Ferret has received several other emails raising similar concerns.

The flooded Pannal footpath.

Officers ‘work tirelessly’ to keep gullies clean

North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager, Melisa Burnham, said in response to the concerns:

“Our officers work tirelessly throughout the year to keep gullies clean and operational. We have a programme of regular cleaning, which check that they are fully functioning and can involve clearing the pipes.

“Many parts of the country have experienced exceptional levels of rainfall in recent days and following a prolonged wet period the ground is already saturated and prone to standing water.

“In several places across North Yorkshire, flooding occurred in areas with clean and well-maintained drainage systems. When we get significant heavy rainfall such as this, the gullies and the drainage system can’t cope with the volume of rainwater.

“In places such as Stray Rein, we see significant run-off from the Stray. However, in this instance the gullies and pipework coped extremely well, with no reports of flooded properties.”

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