Consultation is to begin this summer on two new cycle routes in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire County Council received £1,011,750 last year from the Department for Transport’s active travel fund to improve cycling and walking infrastructure.

The funding is due to be spent on two schemes in the Harrogate district and one in Whitby.

The Harrogate district schemes are on the A59 Harrogate Road, Knaresborough, between Badger Mount and Maple Close and on Victoria Avenue, between the A61 (West Park) and Station Parade.

The Victoria Avenue cycle path could link with the Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood.

A third Harrogate scheme for Oatlands Drive was scrapped after a negative response, but new proposals to cut congestion in the area are due to be revealed in autumn.

The funding was secured more than a year ago and little discernible progress has been made since then.

The Stray Ferret asked the county council for an update.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager at the county council, said:

“The two proposed schemes in Harrogate — along the A59 and on Victoria Avenue — are currently in the detailed design stage to understand the cost and funding requirements.

“We are carrying out road safety audits on the routes this month before taking the final designs to a public consultation in the late summer.”

Read more:

• Residents may ask council to reconsider Otley Road cycle path
• Harrogate and Knaresborough trains to Leeds to be reinstated in December

But it seems the Knaresborough scheme will not proceed any time soon.

Although North Yorkshire County Council is leading on the project, the issue was raised last week at a Harrogate Borough Council meeting.

Stray land

Harrogate Borough Council has ringfenced £500,000 towards the Knaresborough scheme from its investment reserve.

When asked about progress on the initiative, Councillor Phil Ireland, the cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, told the meeting “there has been an acceptance that this will not happen prior to local government reorganisation” in April next year.

Cllr Ireland said:

“We definitely want a cycleway between Harrogate and Knaresborough. However, it won’t happen quickly as further funding will need to be identified, plus there’s always the perennial issue of Stray land on the verges of Knaresborough Road.”

He added that the borough council, which will be abolished in April, was considering allocating the funding to other “shovel-ready schemes” from North Yorkshire County Council, such as the Victoria Avenue initiative.

Cllr Ireland said the borough council was “waiting for some more information’ from the county council before making a decision.

The Victoria Avenue scheme could link with the Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood, if the decision to close the road to through traffic is continued.

A Lancaster bomber is to fly past at Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally on Saturday.

The two-day event, which started in the 1960s as a fundraiser to save Masham Town Hall, has become one of the Harrogate district summer highlights.

It returns this weekend after a two-year hiatus due to covid. Several thousand people are expected to attend.

There will be 42 steam engines, dancing diggers, a fairground and lots of other activities in the rally field just outside Masham.

But the highlight will be the Lancaster bomber, which is due to fly past at 1.02pm on Saturday.

The rally was due to have a Dakota fly past on its 50th anniversary but it had to be cancelled due to the weather. This weekend’s forecast, however, is excellent.

Flo Grainger, who has helped to organise the event for 30 years, said:

“It’s another step to getting back to normal and we are all looking forward to the event returning. We are very lucky to have the Lancaster.”

Entry costs £12 for adults, £7 for concessions and £3 for children over five. Younger children get in for free. A caravan park is available for overnight visitors.

Read more:

• Masham Steam Rally postponed due to covid
• ‘Tough cookie’ Masham councillor becomes final chair of county council

A man has been arrested following a crash near Knaresborough in the early hours of this morning.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement this afternoon that it responded to calls about a car that had left the road on the A59.

It occurred near junction 47 of the A1(M), at Flaxby.

Officers attended but could not locate the driver.

Following further enquiries, a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

He remains in custody while enquiries continue.

Read more:

• Police anti-social driving clampdown makes 10 arrests in Harrogate district
• Local firm averts traffic danger at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

Quick-thinking traffic management staff averted a highly dangerous situation on a main road outside Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show this morning.

Staff at SEP Events, which is based in Boroughbridge, discovered 450 cones and 25 signs were missing when they arrived for work shortly before 6am this morning.

The items, worth thousands of pounds, are believed to have been stolen either by another firm or by thieves looking to sell them on. Several sources have confirmed the details to the Stray Ferret.

The cones and signs were taken at the Kestrel roundabout, which has been the busiest point for traffic during the show, and at the nearby junction of Wetherby Road and Rudding Lane.

An SEP van at the Kestrel roundabout.

The stretch of Wetherby Road between the two locations usually accommodates two-way traffic but a one-way system has been operating from 6am until 8pm each day of the show to improve traffic flow.

The cones and signs have played a key part in enforcing this.

But with the items missing, and 6.30am approaching, there could have been chaos with traffic heading towards the show from the Kestrel roundabout in both lanes meeting head-on vehicles travelling in the other direction that should have been diverted off Wetherby Road.

SEP employees had to stand in the road in high visibility jackets and use their vehicles to direct traffic while colleagues went back to Boroughbridge to get replacement cones and signs.

Shortly after 7am traffic measures were back in place and no accidents had occurred.

Traffic cones cost several pounds each and weigh about 6kg so whoever was responsible is believed to have had a trailer with a high load-bearing capacity.

North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal for information. It said in a statement:

“The cones and signage were installed as part of traffic management for the Great Yorkshire Show and the theft led to significant disruption for motorists and showgoers.

“It is believed the items were taken between 9pm on Tuesday 12 July and 4am on Wednesday 13 July so police are appealing for anyone who might have seen anything which could help the investigation.”

The Stray Ferret has contacted SEP Events about the incident.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has declared his support for Rishi Sunak in the Conservative leadership contest.

Former Chancellor Mr Sunak is regarded as the front runner of eight candidates vying to become party leader and the next Prime Minister.

Mr Jones said he supported the Richmond MP even though he, along with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, had received a fine for breaching covid regulations.

Mr Jones previously said of Mr Johnson that “lawbreakers can’t be lawbreakers” but he said Mr Sunak’s situation was different:

“For most people that was a surprise as he turned up at Number 10 for a meeting and walked into the Cabinet room as the Prime Minister was being presented with a cake.  Once he received the fine he paid it.

“There was no dissembling, no denial and no appeal even though many thought it was harsh.  He accepted the ruling.  I think people understand the difference between that and the many months of changing claims that preceded the Prime Minister’s fine.”

Writing on his Community News website, Mr Jones added:

“We face challenging times so we need a Prime Minister who is strong and with proven economic ability and business credibility.

“In the field of foreign affairs we need someone already known and respected on the international stage to keep the pressure on Russia to quit Ukraine.

“The country needs someone who is consistent and transparent to reinvigorate trust in politics.

Read more:

• Andrew Jones MP calls on Boris Johnson to resign
• Andrew Jones MP backs bid for levelling up cash to fund HCC redevelopment

Mr Sunak’s rivals have pledged tax cuts but he has warned against “comforting fairytales” and promised fiscal prudence instead.

Mr Jones’ comments do not mention tax cuts but address inflation at length.

“The new Prime Minister needs to look at those structural imbalances in our economy that make us susceptible to inflation.

“That means addressing our dependence on fossil fuels and boosting the productivity and capacity of the economy.

“While addressing these long-term structural problems he or she needs to protect those most affected by rapidly rising prices.  This may be through the benefits system, through increasing the living wage, through education in how to lower personal and household costs or through a variety of other means.”

Conservative MPs will vote in a secret leadership ballot today. Candidates who fail to get 30 votes will be eliminated. A new leader will be decided on September 5.

Julian Smith, Skipton and Ripon MP, and Nigel Adams, Selby and Ainsty MP, whose constituencies both include parts of the Harrogate district, have yet to publicly say who they support.

A controlled explosion took place in the Harrogate area after a person found a hand grenade.

North Yorkshire Police revealed it was one of two suspected explosives found in Harrogate over the weekend.

The other, which was fished out of a river by an angler, turned out to be harmless.

Police were alerted to the hand grenade at 9.30pm on Friday night. The force said in a statement:

“A member of the public rang us having found a hand grenade in the Harrogate area. We attended immediately and were at the scene a few minutes later.

“A cordon and scene guard were put in place to keep everyone safe while we contacted our colleagues at explosive ordnance disposal.

“A farmer kindly allowed us to use his field, and explosive ordnance disposal attended and safely detonated the grenade in daylight hours the following day.”

The angler’s metal object, discovered on Sunday, turned out to be nothing fishy.

But North Yorkshire Police received reports of a third suspicious item by a man clearing a barn in Craven. This one required detonating.

Read more:

• Police anti-social driving clampdown makes 10 arrests in Harrogate district
• Gang of girls admits causing actual bodily harm in Harrogate

Police said in a statement:

“We dealt with three calls relating to suspected explosives unearthed over the weekend.

“The result: two of them were unexploded devices that needed to be detonated at a safe distance – the third was just a battered piece of metal.

“In all three incidents the finders did the right thing by contacting us.”

They advised anyone discovering suspicious looking items not to touch them, leave them alone and move at least 50 metres away before calling the police on 101.

“As we did over the weekend, we’ll assess what you’ve told us, and contact explosive ordnance disposal who can take any necessary action.”

It’s been another busy morning on the roads on day two of the Great Yorkshire Show.

Here’s what has happened so far today.

10.02am – Traffic remains heavy at Kestrel roundabout

Motorists approaching from Knaresborough and Wetherby continue to encounter delays. Otherwise most show traffic appears to be running smoothly.

9.12am – Delays at Kestrel roundabout

There are currently 40 minute delays for traffic approaching the Kestrel roundabout from Spofforth. Traffic is also heavy on the A658 John Metcalf Way but nowhere near as bad. Rudding Lane is running smoothly.

8.50am – Reports of traffic backing up to Spofforth

Reports of traffic backing up all the way to Spofforth from the Kestrel roundabout. If you have up to date travel news message us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

8.45am – Kestrel roundabout traffic backing up

Traffic from the Kestrel roundabout is backing up on Wetherby Road as it approaches Rudding Lane. It is moving, but slowly.

8.40am – No access through Wetherby Road

This is the sign some motorists ignored yesterday on Wetherby Road. Once you pass Sainsbury’s, heading out of town, you have to turn left on to Forest Lane.

8.25am – A quiet Wetherby Road

Wetherby Road as it’s rarely seen at rush hour. We will shortly head along Rudding Lane and to the Kestrel roundabout, which was the pinch point yesterday morning, to check on traffic.

8.20am – Traffic running smoothly at Woodlands junction

Traffic at the Woodlands junction is flowing smoothly except on Hookstone Chase where it is backing up.

Skipton Road is slow pretty much all the way from New Park roundabout to the Empress roundabout. Wetherby Road is quieter but remember it becomes one way just after Sainsbury’s.

8am – Heavy traffic on Skipton Road

Hardly a new occurrence, but traffic is already heavy on Skipton Road, backing up quite a way from the BIlton Lane junction to New Park roundabout in the direction of the showground.

7.36pm: Extra traffic through Knaresborough this year

A helpful member of SEP Events, the Boroughbridge company overseeing traffic management, told us last night that more traffic was coming through Knaresborough this year because of the decision to keep the upgraded junction 47 of the A1(M) open this year.

Previously, more traffic came off the A1 at Boroughbridge. It’s resulting in more traffic ending up at the Kestrel roundabout, which was a bottleneck yesterday, but with so many vehicles travelling to the showground it’s a case of finding a balance of what works best. He added the first day is usually the worst as people get used to the travel arrangements so let’s hope today runs smoothly.

6.58am: Free shuttle bus operating

The free shuttle bus from stand 13 at the bus station in Harrogate town centre is operating again.

Passengers using the shuttle experienced delays getting to the show yesterday morning, especially after 9am until late morning, due to the volume of traffic and security measures for the royal visit.

6.30am: Traffic restrictions in place

Click here for details of the changes that are being implemented to keep vehicles moving during the four-day show.

Yesterday there were lengthy morning delays at the Kestrel roundabout. This was partly to do with the decision to keep junction 47 of the A1(M) open for the show this year now that it has been upgraded, which led to more traffic coming through Knaresborough and to the roundabout.

Fire has destroyed a workshop in the Harrogate district this evening.

Firefighters from Ripon and Harrogate were called to the blaze at Bishop Monkton, which is five miles south of Ripon.

Tony Walker, station manager for York, Selby and Tadcaster tweeted about the incident tonight.

He added:

“Investigation is underway to determine the cause. No injuries reported.”

Crews from Ripon & Harrogate have just dealt with workshop fire in the village of Bishop Monkton. Investigation is underway to determine the cause. No injuries reported. @theyorkmix @BBCYork pic.twitter.com/sEdEZgc2VH

— Tony Walker (@sierra18NY) July 12, 2022

Read more:

• Firefighter photos reveal extent of Harrogate district field fire
• Six baby hedgehogs in Ripon rescued from bonfire at last minute

Early morning trains from Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds are to be reinstated in December.

Rail operator Northern has confirmed to the Harrogate Line Supporters Group that the company will revert to its December 2021 timetable.

It means the 6.07am and 6.33am services will return, and hourly rather than two-hourly trains will operate in the evening.

Northern reduced services in May, blaming lack of resources and the need to recruit and train more drivers.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones was among those criticising the move.

Pete Myers, stakeholder manager at Northern, has written to the Harrogate Line Supporters Group saying Network Rail has approved its plans to revert to the December 2021 timetable.

Brian Dunsby, of the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, welcomed the news, saying:

“This is what we have wanted all along. They cancelled services without consulting with us or anybody and got quite a backlash for it.”

Read more:

• Harrogate commuters frustrated as early trains axed today
• Andrew Jones MP urges Northern to ‘rethink’ cuts to Harrogate trains

Which services are affected?

Mr Dunsby detailed what the changes will mean to commuters.

“This means that the 6.07 and 6.33 services to Leeds will be reinstated calling at all stations and due into Leeds at 06:44 and 07:10 respectively.

“These are very important for business and leisure travellers to London and other destinations from Leeds.

“They also hope to reinstate the 08:05 service from Harrogate to Leeds due into Leeds at 08.41.

“They also hope to reinstate the 16:29 service from Leeds via Harrogate to York, departing Harrogate at 17:05 and due into York at 17:42.

“Also reinstated should be the 18:13 service from York to Leeds via Harrogate departing Harrogate at 18:47 and due into Leeds at 19:23.

“Also reinstated should be the 19:29 service from Leeds to York, departing Harrogate at 20:05 and due into York at 20:44.

“Also reinstated should be the 21:10 service from York to Leeds, departing Harrogate at 21:44 and due into Leeds at 22:21.

“Also reinstated should be the 22:39 service from Leeds to Harrogate and due into Harrogate at 23:16.

“These services should all certainly be reinstated from December 11, 2022 and possibly from September 2022 if their driver training schedule continues as planned.

“This is very good news for Harrogate Line passengers. Many thanks to the Northern rail management team for responding to our pleas.”

Four teenage girls have pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to a female in Harrogate.

The girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are between 14 and 17 years old.

They admitted jointly assaulting the victim on August 15 last year in Belmont Park, Starbeck.

Three of the girls are from Harrogate; another is from Blackpool.

They pleaded guilty when the cases were heard at North Yorkshire Youth Court, sitting in Harrogate, on Friday.

The girls were ordered to £200 compensation each and referred to youth offender panels for 12 months.

Read more:

• Harrogate girl, 13, admits drunken attack on police officers
• Starbeck cafe tackling the cost of living crisis