Two Met Office weather warnings are in place for the Harrogate district this week as the prolonged cold spell maintains its grip.

A yellow warning for snow is effective until midnight tonight, although it seems any snowfall will be mainly confined to higher ground.

A second, potentially more disruptive yellow warning for snow is also in place from the start of Thursday until 6am on Friday.

The second warning says there could be heavy snowfall across the hills, which may bring significant disruption to travel. The Met Office adds:

“There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel

“There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off.”

Neil Armstrong, the Met Office chief meteorologist, said:

“Late on Wednesday a weather front moves north eastwards across the UK bringing rain, which turns to snow as it pushes further north and meets with colder air.”

Although the weekend weather looks calmer, temperatures are not forecast to rise above eight degrees centigrade for the next two weeks.

For generations, the Debenhams building on Parliament Street has been one of the major retail landmarks in Harrogate.

It has also been one of the biggest stores, so news that is will not reopen has raised questions about the site’s future.

With many High Street stores struggling even before the lockdown, it won’t be easy finding a retailer for such a large unit.

Developers may scent an opportunity to apply for planning permission to convert some or all of the premises into flats, as has happened with the nearby former post office.

Stuart Holland, co-chair of Harrogate Civic Society, said the site had redevelopment potential but the sloping ground level made this challenging and demolition should be considered.

He hoped any new building would have shops on the ground floor to encourage footfall between Parliament Street and Oxford Street, adding:

“There is not a strong feeling, at this early stage of discussion, for retention of the building and a complete re-build may be welcome.

“A rebuild would give an opportunity to widen the footpath along the first section of Oxford Street and thus encourage the linking of retail areas – particularly as we see Oxford Street becoming home to new independent shops.

“There would also be an opportunity to improve the street scene along Union Street and to allow what is described as the rear entrance to Westminster Arcade to stand out more clearly than at present.”

Read more:

• Staff let go as Harrogate Debenhams will not reopen
• Harrogate shoppers say Debenhams will be much missed

Mr Holland said the upper floors were more suitable for residential use, adding:

“The size of the site lends itself to some creative design whilst ensuring that traffic pollution is not an issue. Car parking is available close by.

“There is a unanimous feeling that the new design should incorporate glazed canopies – taking reference from the many distinctive canopies in the town centre.”

Tom Snook

Tom Snook, managing director of Harrogate chartered surveyors Pantera Property, said the site should adapt to the “major shift” in retailing that is happening throughout the country. He added:

“The decline of bricks and mortar retail, which has been aggravated by the pandemic and the ensuing surge in online shopping, has meant that footfall is extremely low and it’s become difficult for retailers and restaurants to get a secure position in the market.

“The Debenhams building has always been something of a retail icon in Harrogate, which does also mean that it has great potential for change of use.

“I could certainly foresee it being redeveloped as residential apartments on the upper floors, perhaps with some form of boutique retail or serviced offices below.

“In the hands of an imaginative developer it would be great to see the building remain as an asset to Harrogate, albeit with a new identity.”

Look out for an article on the history of the Debenhams building in Harrogate by historian Malcolm Neesam this weekend on the Stray Ferret.

A motorbike has been stolen from Boroughbridge as part of a spate of garage thefts of cycles and motorbikes.

Thieves took the red and white motorbike, which had been given as a Christmas present, after cutting through two locks between 19 and 21 January.

North Yorkshire Police said today bikes and motorbikes worth thousands of pounds have been stolen in recent days and appealed for people to check their outbuildings were secure.

It later added a mountain bike was stolen from a garage in Hookstone Grange Way last week between 5pm on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday. It is an orange and black Whyte T130-C carbon framed bike with a new Vittoria front tyre.

PC Liz Estensen, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Recorded crime figures show that thieves are far more likely to break into sheds and garages than houses, so consider taking extra steps to protect your outbuildings, particularly if you live in a rural or isolated area.”

Police added officers were also investigating reports of youths interfering with high-value vehicles parked in Harrogate overnight.

Read more:

• ‘Ripon needs more police,’ says council
• Police arrest suspected cocaine dealers in Harrogate

The force issued the following crime prevention advice:

• If you have a door lock or window lock on your outbuilding, use it.
• A simple padlock and hasp correctly fitted to a door can deter opportunist thieves. Use a close coupled padlock for increased security.
• If you have an integral door between your home and garage, consider this as an external door and secure it appropriately.
• Consider installing CCTV, external lighting or an alarm.
• Mark particularly valuable items prominently with your postcode.
• Consider placing smaller items in a secure cabinet within your shed or garage, or store them in your home.

Anyone with information about the Boroughbridge theft can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident reference 12210034339.

A care home company boss has spoken of the struggle to contain recent outbreaks of covid that have “ravaged” homes in the Harrogate district.

A total of 258 care home residents and staff in North Yorkshire currently have covid, according to figures from North Yorkshire County Council this week.

Tracey Holroyd is chairman of Warmest Welcome, whose Westfield House Nursing Home in Killinghall has suffered one death recently and currently has 12 infections.

Warmest Welcome owns eight other homes, including The Crest Care Home in Harrogate, and Ms Holroyd said all but one had been hit hard by covid recently, along with many others in the care sector.

She said the new mutant strain of covid struck Westfield House over Christmas.

“This new variant is so fast, it just ripped through the home. It’s horrible.”

Westfield House had hardly suffered any covid infections until Christmas.

Read more:

• Harrogate care boss ‘frustrated’ at vaccine rollout
• All Harrogate district care homes to get vaccine this week

Ms Holroyd said staff followed all the correct protocols but the speed of transmission in a building full of vulnerable older people was devastating. She said:

“The care home is the community so if the virus is in the care home it’s in the community. And this virus is so fast.

“It’s just been awful but we are over the worst. We’ve just got to keep on keeping on.”

Ms Holroyd said the manager and deputy manager had both been off but were now back, and that having so many staff absent had been a “massive problem”.

The infections are also delaying the vaccination programme at Westfield House. Ms Holroyd paid tribute to the dedication of staff during such a difficult time, adding:

“The vaccine can’t happen soon enough.”

North Yorkshire County Council said this week 76 out of 235 care settings in the county, which includes care homes and extra care facilities, has one or more positive covid case.

Of that number, 55 have recorded outbreaks, which is two or more cases. Nine have large outbreaks, which is defined as 10 or more cases.

A photo of a radiographer at Harrogate District Hospital, accompanied by a message urging people to follow lockdown rules and get vaccinated, has gone viral.

Dr Jon Sharpe, a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist, posted the simple but powerful image of radiographer Jo Huddart on his Facebook page on Saturday.

Since then it has received 13,000 shares, 12,000 reactions and 1,800 comments.

Annie Garlick took the image of fellow radiographer Jo Huddart on Ms Huddart’s phone.

Dr Sharpe’s post says the NHS faces its toughest fortnight in history and then explains the extraordinary lengths these “unsung heroes” go to daily.

Every patient with covid or suspected covid meets a radiographer for scans so they are on the front line, at significant personal risk. He adds:

“They wear PPE that is hot and uncomfortable for most of their shift. They do this day after day, shift after shift. Twenty four hours a day.

“Some of them have been doing this job for decades. Some of them are fresh out of university. I doubt any of them ever thought radiography would look like this.

“They are unsung heroes and I am immensely proud of each and every one of my colleagues.

“The clapping was nice, the odd free pizza was appreciated and the pictures of rainbows that children drew for us made us smile – but all we ask of you now is this:

“Please stay at home. Please follow the rules and please, please – get vaccinated when you are offered an appointment.”

‘Superb outcome’

Dr Sharpe told the Stray Ferret he only expected the post to be of passing interest to friends but he was pleased it had raised awareness of the value of radiographers. He added:

“If even just one more person elects to receive the vaccine because of this then it will have been a superb outcome.”

Read more:

• Two further covid deaths at Harrogate District Hospital
• Harrogate district reports 79 further coronavirus cases

Asked why the post had been shared so many times, he said it was due to a combination of factors:

“Jo is wearing so much PPE that even though I’ve worked with her daily for the last 9 years, she’s not instantly recognisable — the fact that my colleagues are having to go to such lengths just to be able to perform their daily duties with a modicum of safety is immensely sobering.

“The inclusion of the CT scanner, prepped and ready to receive the next patient also increased the impact of the image, minutes after this image was taken another patient would have been lying on the scanner prior to their examination.

“The picture of Jo and the scanner ready for the next patient emphasised the fact that this is not a unique situation, but just part of the daily work of the radiography staff — there will be another patient going on that scanner shortly.

“Maybe if people stayed at home and accepted the vaccine then that patient won’t be them or somebody they care about.”

Western Primary School in Harrogate has secured a second speed sign as part of its ongoing campaign to improve road safety.

Headteacher Tim Broad has spoken of his fears a child could be killed crossing the busy Cold Bath Road outside the 500-pupil school.

A long-running campaign with parents bore fruit last month when funding was secured for a vehicle-activated sign that notifies drivers of their speed in the 20 miles per hour zone.

Now a second sign means traffic in both directions will be monitored — although as the signs are classed as temporary, they need to be rotated occasionally to meet this bureaucratic requirement.

John Mann, who represents Harrogate central on North Yorkshire County Council, has funded both signs from his locality budget, which councillors are allocated to spend on local issues. Each sign costs £3,200 plus VAT.

Read more:

• Speed sign to be installed outside Western Primary School
• Masham primary school with just six pupils set to close

Mr Broad said he was “delighted” the school would receive two signs but added the campaign would go on. He said:

“This will make a huge difference to the safety of our pupils and I am grateful to Councillor Mann for the additional funding which has made this possible.

“Whilst this is a very positive step, I still have significant concerns about the sheer volume of traffic, of all shapes and sizes, which uses Cold Bath Road each day, producing significant pollution which makes its way into our classrooms.

“My long term aim is to work with residents, businesses and the local council to see what steps might be taken to address this additional concern.”

Councillor Mann did not respond to inquiries from the Stray Ferret.

Flood warnings and alerts are in place throughout the Harrogate district tonight after another day of persistent rain from Storm Christoph.

With a Met Office amber rain warning in place tonight, many low-lying areas are in danger. Some land and roads have already flooded.

Here’s a look at how today unfolded.

You can check flood warnings near you on the government’s flood information service website, which is maintained by the Environment Agency. Click here.

9.12pm – ‘Flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible’

The updated Environment Agency flood warning for the River Nidd at Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough Mill farm makes sombre reading.

It says Knaresborough caravan park is the area most at risk.

Flooding is also ‘expected’ at Roecliffe caravan park and Milby Island near Boroughbridge on the Ure, according to further updates this evening.

We will sign off now but will be back early tomorrow with more flood updates. Please send any flood photos or news to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

8.33pm – Environment Agency issues new flood alert and warning

The Environment Agency has activated a new flood alert and new flood warming this evening.

The alert is for the Lower Dunsforth Access near Boroughbridge, and says:

“The current level at Boroughbridge is 14.8m and levels are forecast to peak this evening. Further heavy rain is expected until Thursday and we expect river levels to rise accordingly. Areas most at risk are low lying land and roads. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and do not drive through flood water.”

The more severe flood warning is for the River Ure at Aldwark Bridge to Cuddy Shaw, on the fringes of the district. The alert says ‘flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected tonight’ and homes in Aldwark Bridge were most at risk.

8.11pm – Pateley Bridge feels the impact

Sinead Cregan took these photos of Pateley Bridge today. The Nidderdale town often bears the brunt of high water on the upper Nidd and further flooding of roads and farmland is expected, according to a flood warning that is currently in place.

6.58pm – Amber rain warning tonight

There is still a way to go before the wet weather relents and indeed conditions could worsen tonight and tomorrow as rain continues to fall on saturated land.

The Met Office has an amber warning in place for the Harrogate area until 6am tomorrow, which says there is a ‘good chance’ of some places being cut off, as well as power cuts.

5.45pm – Gritters out as wintry showers threaten high ground

Although flooding is the primary concern tonight, North Yorkshire County Council has said it will be gritting main routes in areas that may see some wintry showers.

We'll be #gritting some priority roads, particularly on higher routes, in parts of #NorthYorkshire overnight.

There's a chance of wintry showers, to high routes in particular, with road temperatures close to or below zero with an ice risk.

Read more ⬇️https://t.co/6cnhGrxFu6 pic.twitter.com/E7CoDn5zWB

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) January 20, 2021

5.05pm – Nidderdale Lodge Park on watchlist as river levels rise

Residents on the Nidderdale Lodge Park will be watching water levels closely overnight as the River Nidd continues to rise.

One of the residents has said it is currently at around 1.4m and says if it reaches 2m some residents may have to evacuate. She said it doesn’t look like it will reach 2m but the town’s response group is ready to step in to help if it does.

4.50pm – Motorists warned not to drive through floodwater.

https://twitter.com/NorthYorksFire/status/1351934965945139202

3.15pm – Fire services quiet so far

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is usually busy during bad weather but today’s rain hasn’t caused too many problems — so far.

Thankfully we've attended very few flooding related incidents so far today.

Please do keep following the advice, only travel if you really need to, check details of road closures and don't be tempted to drive through flood water- find another route.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) January 20, 2021

3.17pm – 21 bus route affected by flooding

Unfortunately, due to flooding the 21 is unable to reach stops Coneythorpe, The Old Barn and Moor Farm in both directions.

The nearest stops are Arkendale and Flaxby

We will let you know once we're back to normal pic.twitter.com/vyKsmijMIj

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 20, 2021

3.06pm – Fog on A59 at Blubberhouses

Lots of flood warnings and alerts in place, with people holding their breath that the situation doesn’t deteriorate before the storm passes tomorrow. To add to the weather issues, Julie Benson has warned of fog on the A59 between Blubberhouses and Bolton Abbey.

https://twitter.com/JB10MILLION/status/1351901290562023425?s=20

2.05pm – Environment Agency on site in Boroughbridge

The Environment Agency and Boroughbridge Emergency Response Team are keeping a close eye on the River Ure as water levels continue to rise.

Water levels are already close to those forecasted for tonight so both teams will be monitoring the river closely.

Water levels rise beneath the main bridge in Boroughbridge. Photograph: Peter Phillips

1.05pm – Knaresborough caravan park preparing for heavy rain

The Stray Ferret has been told the Nidderdale Lodge Park, in Knaresborough, hasn’t flooded yet but with heavy rain forecast for the rest of the afternoon the town’s flood response team is keeping an eye on the area.

A flood warning is currently in place for the River Nidd by the Knaresborough caravan park.

12.27am – 10 flood alerts and warnings currently in place in Harrogate district

There are currently five alerts and five warnings. Warnings are more severe. Warnings are in place for:

River Ure at Milby Island

River Ure at Roecliffe caravan park

River Nidd at Low Laithe

River Nidd at Knaresborough caravan parks and Goldsborough Mill farm

River Nidd at Hunsingore

Alerts are in place for:

Lower River Ure

Upper Nidd catchment area

Middle Nidd catchment area

Lower Nidd catchment area

River Crimple catchment

11.45am – River Ure at Milby Island expected to flood property and roads

The warning, issued this morning, says the level of the Ure is forecast to peak late evening at about 14.7m to 14.9m,

“Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected today. Areas most at risk are properties on Milby Island.

“Avoid walking or driving through flood water.”

11.35am – Boroughbridge emergency response team “prepared”

The Boroughbridge emergency response team, headed by local resident Pauline Phillips, are ready to take action if water levels in the River Ouse rise. The team says at 15 metres it comes on to the road, it is currently at 14.7m.

The team wanted to assure residents it has plans in place if the river does breach its bank. Yorkshire Water is also monitoring the town’s car park which has previously flooded after underground pipes burst.

She added:

“We are prepared to respond if the town does flood but of course we hope we aren’t needed”.

11.20am – Flooded fields near River Ure

The River Ure has burst its banks near North Bridge. Currently, there are no reports of properties being flooded.

The rising waters of the River Ure are reported to be close to the Yorkshire Water waste pumping station located at Sharow on the Dishforth Road at Ripon.

Flooded fields near Ure Bank Top.

10.50am – Rainfall levels expected to peak tomorrow

10.15am – Nidd and Ure burst banks

Images of flooded fields are beginning to appear as the extent of the overnight rain on saturated land becomes apparent.

Julie Benson took these photos of the Nidd at Ripley and Ure at Ripon.

The Nidd at Ripley… Fields are full @northyorkswx pic.twitter.com/xZK1sTAIgG

— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021

The Ure at Ripon…. Burst banks… Sorry about the pic quality… All taken as a passenger @northyorkswx pic.twitter.com/72FWlUTbBc

— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021

Alex Smith took this image of flooding in Cattal, close to the site of a proposed new 3,000 home settlement.

Nine flood alerts and warnings are in force this morning across the Harrogate district as persistent rain causes river levels to rise to dangerous levels.

Notorious flooding location Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough mill farm were put on the more severe ‘warning’ level during the night.

The warning says “flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible today” as Nidd river levels are expected to continue to rise. It adds:

“Areas most at risk are riverside land at Knaresborough caravan park. Please activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers, and stay away from fast moving water.”

Roecliffe caravan park, near Boroughbridge, is identified as the most vulnerable location in an overnight warning for the River Ure, which says:

“Flooding of property/roads and farmland is expected imminently. Please put your flood plan into action, and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded and stay away from fast moving water.”

Ure near Ripon

An alert was put in place for the lower Ure, just east of Ripon city centre, overnight. An update just before 4am this morning says:

“Flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible today,”

An alert was also activated overnight for the River Crimple, near Follifoot, and its tributaries including Horn Beck, Clark Beck, Hookstone Beck, Rud Beck, Toad Hole Beck and Park Beck.

It warns flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible.

Nidd risk

There is widespread risk along the River Nidd.

Alerts were issued yesterday afternoon for the river just above and below Pateley Bridge. Last night a warning was put in place for around Hunsingsore and Cattal.

Alerts for the lower and middle catchment areas of the Nidd also remain in force.

More heavy rain is expected today and tomorrow morning.

If you are affected by flooding, contact us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

New flood alerts this evening on River Nidd near Harrogate

Two fresh flood alerts have been issued for the River Nidd this evening.

It means there are now three flood alerts and one more serious flood warning in force for the Harrogate district, with further rainfall expected.

The Environment Agency issued an alert for the middle Nidd catchment at 6.47pm tonight, affecting land around the river and tributaries including Thornton Beck, Newton Beck, Oak Beck, Cow Dyke Beck, Bilton Beck, Frogmire Dike and Syke Dike.

Minutes later at 6.54pm another flood warning was issued for the lower Nidd catchment, affecting land around the river and its tributaries including Sand Beck, Sike Beck, Pool Beck and Great Gutter. The alerts said:

“Flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible today, Tuesday.

“The river has risen in response to recent rainfall, and with persistent and heavy rain forecast to continue through until Thursday we expect river levels to remain high and could rise further.

“Please avoid low-lying land and footpaths near local watercourses.”

A flood warning for the Nidd at Low Laithe between Dacre Banks and Glasshouses was issued this afternoon.

It remains active, as does a flood alert for for the upper Nidd around Wath and Lofthouse, just north of Pateley Bridge.

If flooding affects your area please let us know at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Read more:

• Flood warning issued for River Nidd near Pateley Bridge
• £2.5 million project to prevent flooding at Fountains Abbey

The government’s flood information service has issued a flood warning for the River Nidd just south of Pateley Bridge.

The warning, which was issued shortly before 4pm, says flooding is expected at Low Laithe between Dacre Banks and Glasshouses.

It adds roads and farmland are expected to flood and immediate action is required:

“Levels on the River Nidd are rising at Pateley Bridge. Please be aware that persistent and heavy rain is forecast until Thursday. Please avoid walking or driving through flood water.”

Two hours earlier the flood information service issued a less severe flood alert for the Upper Nidd around Wath and Lofthouse, just north of Pateley Bridge.

The Upper Nidd alert says:

“Areas most at risk are low lying land and roads.

“Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and do not walk or drive through flood water.”

Read more:

• Flood alerts issued as heavy rain forecast for Harrogate district
• £2.5 million project to prevent flooding at Fountains Abbey

Storm Christoph is beginning to saturate the Harrogate district and beyond.

Five flood warnings and 30 flood alerts are effective in North Yorkshire, where rain is expected to fall until midday Thursday.