North Yorkshire Council has revoked its decision to proceed with the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme in the face of a legal challenge.
Hornbeam Park Developments instructed lawyers to launch a judicial review against the council’s decision this week.
The council responded today with a statement that has plunged the controversial scheme into fresh doubt.
Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said:
“We have received a legal challenge to the executive’s decision to progress the Transforming Cities Fund scheme in Harrogate.
“Having taken external advice on the grounds of the challenge and having fully considered the matter, we have rescinded the decision to proceed with the scheme at this stage in order to avoid further costs and time delays.
“A further report will be considered by the executive soon, which will set out next steps and timescales for the project in line with legal advice. We will be taking further advice before deciding how best to proceed.”
The scheme is one of three worth £42 million being funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund to improve station gateways to town centres in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton.
An impression of how James Street would look.
It would see James Street partly pedestrianised and a 300-metre section of Station Parade reduced to single lane to make way for new cycle routes.
The legal challenge focuses on the council’s alleged failure to disclose key carbon and climate impact information during consultation.
A climate change appraisal said drivers would be forced to take longer alternative routes as a result of the road changes and overall “user emissions are anticipated to increase as a result of the scheme, as the emissions from changing traffic flows are predicted to outweigh the avoided emissions from modal-shift”.
The appraisal also predicts the scheme would result in an increase of 1,356 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifetime.
All Conservatives and most Liberal Democrats approved the decision to proceed in May — however, the Liberal Democrats subsequently withdrew their support.
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Police reveal reason behind Harrogate pub closure
North Yorkshire Police has revealed why a Harrogate pub was forced to close.
The Stone Beck at Jennyfields stopped serving customers on August 4.
A police spokesperson said:
“The pub has closed because it does not currently have a designated premises supervisor appointed, which is a legal pre-requisite for alcohol to be sold lawfully at a licensed premises.
“Without a designated premises supervisor, a pub cannot legally sell alcohol.”
A designated premises supervisor has day-to-day responsibility for running business that sell or supply alcohol.
Last week landlord Phill Kirby told the Stray Ferret the pub had closed due to a “licensing issue” and would open in “due course”.
North Yorkshire Council, the licensing authority, said it had “no current actions on this premises”.
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New roadworks revealed for Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon
Details of upcoming roadworks for Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon have been revealed.
Cllr Paul Haslam, a Conservative who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on North Yorkshire Council, posted details of scheduled resurfacing schemes on his Facebook page.
The information is set out below with details of where and when each scheme will take place and the accompanying plan to manage traffic.
North Park Road, Harrogate
Monday, August 21 to Friday, September 1 (7pm to midnight)
21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th 29th – traffic management – combination of two-way lights and road closure during working hours
23rd, 30th, 31st and 1st Sep – traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
A61 Leeds Rd, Harrogate
(Prince of Wales roundabout to St Georges Rd roundabout)
Monday, August 29 to Friday, September 15 (7pm to midnight)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
A658 Harrogate Road, Harrogate
Thursday, September 14 to Friday, September 22 (9pm to 5am)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained.
High Bridge, Knaresborough
Wednesday, September 20 to Friday. September 29 (7pm to midnight)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
B6163 Briggate, Knaresborough
Friday, September 29 to Monday, October 9 (7.30am to 5.30pm)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
Dragon Road area, Harrogate
(Dragon Rd / Back of Dragon Rd / Dragon Terrace / Rear of Dragon Terrace / Dragon Ave / Dragon Parade, Mornington Terrace / Mornington Terrace)
Monday, October 9 to Wednesday, October 11 (7.30am to 5.30pm)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
Coppice Way, Harrogate
Thursday, October 12 to Wednesday, October 18 (7.30am to 5.30pm)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
Harewood Road, Harrogate
Thursday, October 19 to Friday, October 20 (7.30am to 5.30pm)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
Read more:
- Five traffic lights stolen at roadworks in Knaresborough
- Decision to proceed with £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway revoked after legal challenge
Priest Lane, Ripon
Monday, October 23 to Tuesday October 31 (7.30am to 5.30pm)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
A61 Dallamires Lane, Ripon
Monday, October 30 to Friday, November 3 (7pm to midnight)
Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained
Harrogate cancer charity pays tribute to ‘staunch supporter’ Sir Michael Parkinson
Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research has paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson, who died last night.
Sir Michael became a patron in 2016 following his experience with prostate cancer.
He supported the charity’s aim to address inequalities in cancer diagnosis and treatment in Yorkshire after he was successfully treated.
At the time, he said:
“I believe that everyone should have an equal chance of living a long and healthy life, so I am delighted to support the work of Yorkshire Cancer Research and help them address these unacceptable inequalities.”
Sir Michael also helped with fundraising and awareness-raising.
Promoting the charity’s work.
Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:
“Sir Michael was a staunch supporter of equality and equity for people with cancer, no matter who they are or where they live.
“By speaking out about his own personal experience, he played an important role in both raising awareness of cancer and raising funds for vital research into the disease.”
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Yorkshire-born Sir Michael visited Harrogate many times and often made a beeline for Graveleys of Harrogate.
He once said his perfect day out in Yorkshire would involve “watching Joe Root score a century in an Ashes Test at Headingley and then a big plate of fish and chips at Graveley’s seafood restaurant in Harrogate”.
Asked to name his favourite Yorkshire restaurant in the same interview with the Northern Echo in 2017, he said it was “a toss up between Graveleys and Bettys tea room in Harrogate“.
Graveleys re-opened in Harrogate in February this year after a three-year absence.
Owner Simon Pilkington said today:
“Sir Michael was a regular visitor back in the day when Yorkshire were playing at Headingley or he was appearing in Harrogate.
“He very much kept himself to himself but chatted occasionally to my father.
“But he did love his Yorkshire fish and chips from Graveleys!”
Business Breakfast: Ripon curry restaurant named among best in England
The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm.
The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Jaflong restaurant in Ripon has been named as one of the top 10 Bangladeshi restaurants in the country.
The venue on Kirkgate was a finalist in the English Curry Awards 2023 in Birmingham on Monday.
The awards, which were held for the 12th time, celebrate the best curry houses and chefs.
Jaflong was a finalist in the category for Bangladeshi restaurant of the year.
Owner Salauddin Khan said:
“We are incredibly proud to have our restaurant recognised in these national awards. Thank you to everyone who voted for us and gave us excellent reviews!”
Masham brewery begins online tour bookings
T&R Theakston has begun providing online bookings for tours to its Masham visitor centre – the Black Bull In Paradise.
The tours enable cask ale and beer lovers to go behind the scenes of the near 200-year old brewery and sample its core range of ales.
The brewery’s visitor centre is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm from Monday to Saturday and holds guided one-hour tours throughout the day.
Bookings can be made here.
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World Cup hero Rachel Daly in line for player of year award
Rachel Daly probably thought her day could not get any better when she helped England reach the final of the Women’s World Cup.
But the Harrogate hotshot has also been nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Daly, 31, is one of six nominees for the award, which is voted for by other players.
She won the Golden Boot for finishing as the leading scorer in the Women’s Super League, netting 22 times for Aston Villa Women after signing from Houston Dash last summer.
Daly, who has 381,000 followers on Instagram, is up against:
Ona Batlle – Manchester United
Sam Kerr – Chelsea
Frida Maanum – Arsenal
Guro Reiten – Chelsea
Khadija Shaw – Manchester City
The winner will be announced at 50th PFA awards ceremony on August 29.
In the meantime, Daly has the small matter of a World Cup final against Spain to look forward to at 11am on Sunday after helping the Lionesses defeat hosts Australia in today’s semi-final.
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Police warn of new scam in Knaresborough
North Yorkshire Police has alerted Knaresborough residents to a new scam that involves impersonating police officers.
The force said in a statement today it had received at least three reports over the last two days about bogus callers.
Someone calls, claiming they are a police officer and asks about a fictitious person in custody. They then ask the resident if they are at home and when they will be out or returning home.
The statement said:
“This is a scam, and police have urged residents to put the phone down, do not engage in conversation with the caller, and do not give any personal information to them.”
Police urged anyone who may have received such a call to call 101 and pass information to the force control room, adding:
“Although we have not received any reports of anyone physically calling at a property, please do be vigilant when it comes to any unexpected callers at your door.
“If you don’t know who it is, don’t answer the door, and keep your doors locked, even when you are at home.”
More information about checking a police officer’s identity can be found here.
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Harewood Bridge set to reopen early?
Harewood Bridge near Harrogate could re-open earlier than expected after undergoing essential maintenance.
The grade-II listed structure, which is used by 17,000 vehicles a day, closed on July 26 and is due to reopen on August 24.
Its closure has led to 15-mile diversions and added 30 minutes to journey times.
The Stray Ferret contacted Leeds City Council today after hearing unofficial reports work was ahead of schedule and the bridge was on course to reopen a week early.
The council refused to rule out an early reopening but said nothing has been decided yet.
A spokesperson said:
“We are confident works to Harewood Bridge will be completed by the programmes original completion date of August 24 at the latest, subject to good weather and ground conditions.
“Should the work be completed ahead of this date this will be communicated. We would like to continue to thank people for their patience and apologise for any disruption to their journeys.”
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The bridge over the River Wharfe on the A61 is a main route between Harrogate and Leeds.
Leeds City Council closed it for waterproofing, resurfacing and footpath repair work. The footway across the bridge has remained open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP calls for police talks on remembrance paradesHarrogate and Knaresborough’s MP Andrew Jones has written to North Yorkshire’s chief constable asking her to reconsider the force’s approach to this year’s remembrance parades.
North Yorkshire Police has said it will no longer provide traffic management for parades, including those on Remembrance Sunday, ending a practice that has lasted for decades.
Knaresborough Royal British Legion has said the decision threatened this year’s parade in the town from taking place.
Mr Jones has called for the police to continue to provide the service this year, as there is little time for alternative arrangements, and then work with community groups so they can take over in future.
North Yorkshire Police claims its decision is due to changes to the law in 2004 and subsequent guidance from professional bodies representing police. It also says it is now out-of-step with other police forces which ceased traffic management of remembrance parades many years ago.
Remembrance Sunday in Knaresboroug. Picture: Charlotte Gale
Mr Jones wrote to North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe asking her to review the force’s decision and reinstate police support at remembrance parades.
His office said today chief constable Lisa Winward had replied “outlining the legal position and the guidance from professional bodies”.
Mr Jones has asked the chief constable asking her to reinstate police traffic management for remembrance parades this year.
He said:
“Remembrance is about our public services coming together and facilitating a collective act of tribute not just to those who have fallen in our armed forces but those in the emergency services who have given their lives that we can be free.
“The parades are an integral part of this and an important tradition that will be lost without traffic management.
“The sudden decision by North Yorkshire Police has endangered that tradition and left little time to put in place alternative arrangements.”
Read more:
- Police defend decision to end Remembrance Day traffic management
- Local Remembrance Sunday parades under threat after police withdraw traffic help
Recognising the police want to stop traffic management duties, Mr Jones has asked Ms Winward to meet with him and parade organisers to discuss “a managed handover of traffic management to volunteers, community groups or council staff”.
He said:
“If the police want to stop traffic management for remembrance it is an operational decision. I think it is a poor decision but in the final analysis it is their decision to take.
“But the sudden announcement means there is little opportunity to save this year’s parades. That is why I am asking them to reconsider the approach for this year and then work with community groups to ensure they have the capacity and knowledge to provide the support for future years.
“I am hopeful that by taking a constructive and collaborative approach we can save these much-loved parts of our remembrance in which the police join and in which we remember the fallen among their number too.”
Harrogate Bus Company places £21m order for 39 electric buses
The Harrogate Bus Company has placed orders worth £21 million for 39 new buses and to equip its Starbeck depot to convert its entire Harrogate fleet to fully electric power.
Funding for the bid includes £7.8 million secured by North Yorkshire Council from the government’s zero emission bus regional areas scheme.
Ministers set-up the scheme to help local authorities outside London introduce zero-emission buses.
The Harrogate Bus Company, whose services include the 36 that runs between Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds, is owned by French firm Transdev.
Transdev has already trialled several types of all-electric buses on three routes in and around Harrogate, and on its shuttle route linking Bradford and Keighley.
Transdev orders, which it revealed today, call for:
- 20 new Mercedes-Benz E-Citaro all-electric single deck buses, to be used on the urban route 1 between Harrogate and Knaresborough, route 7 linking Harrogate, Wetherby and Leeds, and rural route 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge.
- 19 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400EV fully electric double deck buses, to relaunch flagship route, The 36 linking Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds. These will be among the first of this new British-built design to enter service.
One of eight current Harrogate Electrics-branded single deck vehicles, seen at Harrogate Bus Station.
Henri Rohard, managing director of Transdev, described the news as “an important evolution in the quality and sustainability of our network in and around our home town of Harrogate”.
Mr Rohard added:
“All our bus fleet will be renewed in the process, giving our Harrogate Bus Company the most modern and passenger oriented network.
“In combination with our existing eight Harrogate Electrics-branded Volvo 7900E electric buses, the first of their kind in Britain, 47 fully-electric vehicles are now expected to be in service in spring 2024.
“Higher power output delivered by today’s new generation batteries means each bus can go further between charge-ups – and to make sure we provide a reliable service, our buses will also have top-up charges at Harrogate Bus Station, as they will travel further in a day than the maximum range achievable by fully electric buses.”
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The Starbeck depot will be upgraded.
Roads minister Richard Holden said:
“It’s fantastic to see Transdev turn its Harrogate fleet to fully electric by ordering 39 new electric buses.
“We’ve awarded £330 million of dedicated funding for zero emission buses in England excluding London, as we continue in our quest to decarbonise transport and reach net zero by 2050.”
Conservative-controlled North Yorkshire Council was among 12 local authorities to submit a successful bid for government funding.
Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transport, said:
“It’s great news for passengers and an important step towards achieving our climate aims.”