‘Act now before a child is killed’

A primary school headteacher and parents are calling for urgent speed measures in Killinghall before a child is killed or seriously injured.

Sarah Bassitt, headteacher of Killinghall Church of England Primary School, spoke out after a fruitless two-year campaign to tackle speed outside the school.

Traffic hurtles downhill along Otley Road into the village at a 60mph limit, which only reduces to 30mph about 200 metres from the school. Often cars are doing at least 40mph when they pass the building.

Ms Bassitt said many schools had 20mph limits outside and traffic calming measures, such as speed humps.

But two years of writing to North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire Police have not led to similar outcomes in Killinghall.

Ms Bassitt said:

“The criteria seems to be that you have to have a child killed before anything is done.

“That hasn’t happened mainly because of the vigilance of parents and teachers.

“It’s very dangerous and different to what happens at other schools. It feels like we are hitting out heads against a brick wall.”

Ms Bassitt said some parents were so exasperated they had even used fake speed guns to encourage drivers to slow down.

Otley Road, outside the school in Killinghall.

Parent Gary Donoghue, who has led the campaign, said children were scared to walk to school.

Mr Donoghue said there should be a 20mph limit outside the school.

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He also called for the 30mph limit coming into the village to be moved back to the junction with Lund Lane to allow traffic more time to slow down before passing the school. He added:

“We are looking for prevention rather than repercussions. We don’t want something to happen to our children so they are the ones who bring about change.

“There seems to be a lack of acknowledgement that there is a problem. But when your child is scared to walk to school that is an issue. I wish someone from the council would come and speak to us.”

The Stray Ferret contacted North Yorkshire County Council several times for comment but did not receive a response.

Harrogate car salesman jailed for running over man

A car salesman from Harrogate has been jailed for running over and seriously injuring a 58-year-old man in his BMW.

Alexander Melville, 42 – an award-winning salesman of prestige cars who was banned from driving at the time – was said to be lighting a cigarette just before the BMW veered onto the pavement and struck pedestrian Richard Selby.

As Mr Selby lay  on the footpath beside Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, Melville “casually” collected his belongings from the car and walked off, York Crown Court heard.

Witnesses called 999 and Mr Selby was taken to hospital where he underwent a series of operations, including surgery to have pins inserted into his broken leg.

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Melville – formerly Audi’s leading UK car salesman for the JCT600 model – later handed himself in at Harrogate Police Station after seeing police social media appeals for information.

The collision occurred at about 8.45am on January 26, just after Melville had been to a garage to inflate the tyres on the “training” vehicle, which was unregistered and uninsured.

“A witness said he heard a loud noise of an engine revving,” said prosecutor Mohammed Khan.

“A car then accelerated up the hill…and swerved slightly left. Seconds later, he heard a loud bang and…saw debris and dust and the vehicle go backwards. He noticed (someone) laid on the pavement.”

The witness saw a man reaching into the BMW to “get some items out and then walk towards Knaresborough Road and off onto Rydal Road”.

Still needs crutches

Mr Selby’s injuries included a double fracture of the leg, a dislocated shoulder and a fracture of the shinbone at the knee joint. Eight months on from the accident, he still can’t walk unaided or without the help of crutches, and now relies on home carers.

Melville, of Roseville Drive, Harrogate, told police he had had the BMW for about a year but that it wasn’t insured and “wasn’t registered to anyone as it was used as a training vehicle”.

The salesman had been disqualified from driving last year by magistrates in Lincolnshire.

He appeared for sentence on Tuesday after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving, driving while disqualified, having no insurance, failing to stop after a road crash and failing to report an accident.

“Lit a cigarette”

Richard Reed, acting for Melville, said his client had lost his job at Audi following his disqualification. He had previously been the “best-performing salesman” for the Sytner motor group, the UK’s leading retailer of prestige cars.

After losing his licence, Melville fell on hard times financially because his work required being able to drive.

As a result, “he lost his fiancée, the marriage was cancelled, he had no income and (was) left with a house with a (big) mortgage,” added Mr Reed.

He fell further into debt after taking out a loan and credit cards and ended up on benefits.

Just before the accident, he had “lit a cigarette in the car (and) noticed he had slightly veered over the other lane”.

“He corrected it and then the car went into a spin,” said Mr Reed.

Judge Sean Morris told Melville: “Richard Selby was (simply) walking along the Harrogate road.

“You are very lucky he survived – that man could have been dead or could have been paraplegic.”

Jailing Melville for five months, the judge told him: “When people are mangled by disqualified drivers, (the drivers) must expect to go to prison immediately, although you are ordinarily a decent man.”

Melville was also given a two-year driving ban.

 

 

Plant wildflowers on the Stray, says Green Party

The Green Party has urged Harrogate Borough Council to plant more wildflowers on the Stray rather than proceed with plans for 60,000 crocuses.

The council called for volunteers this month to plant the crocuses on parts of West Park Stray damaged by last year’s UCI World Cycling Championships.

Rebecca Maunder, chair of Harrogate and District Green Party, has written to the council saying “it is not too late to alter the plans to provide more benefits to biodiversity”,

Ms Maunder said wildflowers, such as native daffodils and snowdrops, would improve the biodiversity and help bees and insects on the Stray.

She added:

“It would be great to see Harrogate Borough Council, with its reputation for quality parks and open spaces, leading a positive response to the challenge of the decline in biodiversity.”

But the council has told her it does not intend to change its plans.

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A council spokesman said:

“We understand the need to encourage biodiversity and already manage a number of native wildflower meadows across the district. The thousands of plants and flowers in our numerous parks and gardens also support this.

“We are also looking at biodiversity as part of our wider horticultural plan for the future.”

Allow care home visits, says Andrew Jones MP

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has told Parliament visits to care homes should be allowed.

Speaking in a Covid debate yesterday, Mr Jones said several constituents “desperate to see their loved ones” had raised concerns about current restrictions with him.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday that Harrogate woman Judy Bass had joined a group called Rights for Residents that campaigns against restrictions.

Mr Jones said Ms Bass, along with Dr Joanne Ridpath, Helen Owens, Anna McIntee and others had raised the matter.

Mr Jones said:

“These families are just desperate to see their loved ones and have truly heartbreaking stories.

“Balancing wellbeing and isolation is very difficult but the emotional consequences of no visits are absolutely profound.”

North Yorkshire County Council this week advised care homes in the county to end routine visits in October. Thousands more care homes nationally are also forbidding visits.

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The Conservative MP suggested visits could be allowed through glass or windows.

“While this is impersonal, it is clearly better for people to see their loved ones than not.

“Perhaps designated very close family members in limited numbers could be given staff status, which would allow them access to testing and could then allow a degree of home access.

“Nobody is suggesting an open-door policy, but right now, the restrictions are profound.

“The capacity for residents to understand what is going on and why they cannot see their loved ones is almost inevitably limited, yet the need to see their loved ones is so important.’

Mr Jones also said told the debate that civil liberties were being compromised during Covid and decisions needed parliamentary scrutiny. Some backbench Tory MPs have expressed similar concerns. He said:

“A transparent approach to the science and decision making is necessary to ensure that we take people with us. If we do, and if they understand why a decision has been taken, I think we will see greater compliance, allowing people to resume their lives safely.”

 

Christmas late night shopping cancelled in Pateley Bridge

The annual Christmas late night shopping event in Pateley Bridge has been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The event, which is usually held on the Friday night of the second weekend of December, is one of the highlights of the Nidderdale town’s year.

Shops open late and serve mulled wine to customers; charities have stalls in the street and there is live music, including a brass band.

Pateley Bridge at Christmas

Tim Ledbetter, chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, said:

“I know the announcement will not come as a great surprise but I am sure it will still be a disappointment to the business and community of Nidderdale.

“The chamber will of course still be organising the Christmas trees, lights and decorations that help make Pateley Bridge High Street look the magical place we all know it is to visit.”

Mr Ledbetter said Pateley Bridge has staged late night Christmas shopping for at least 20 years.

He said the cancellation would be felt by shops and the wider business community, such as bed and breakfasts, which are usually busy over the weekend.

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Mr Ledbetter, who owns outdoor equipment shop Sypeland Outdoor in Pateley, said he usually took a day’s takings on the Friday night.

But he said the main loss was to the wider community, adding:

“The whole town participates in the night. It’s a real shame but realistically we can’t encourage people in vast numbers to the town and into shops.”

Western Primary School urges council to tackle road fears

The headteacher of one of the largest primary schools in Harrogate has called for extra road safety measures outside the building to help parents and children comply with social distancing.

Tim Broad, headteacher of Western Primary School, said some people were taking risks crossing the busy Cold Bath Road at pick-up and drop-off times to avoid crowding at the nearby pelican crossing.

Mr Broad has asked North Yorkshire County Council to provide a temporary lollipop person outside the school, but the local authority has so far not agreed any action.

Mr Broad, who has worked at the school for 20 years and has been headteacher since January, said:

“This is the first time I can remember feeling deeply concerned that we could have a road traffic accident.

“The first week back was chaotic. We had a meeting on the Friday evening and changed the system as best we can.

“But we still have some children and parents trying to cross the road where it isn’t safe.”

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Western has 500 pupils, including its nursery intake, and the sheer volume of pedestrian traffic creates a social distancing hazard compounded by the narrow pavement outside the school and the busy road.

The school has introduced staggered start and finish times and uses three entrances and exits and to ease congestion.

But concerns remain, hence the school’s request for a temporary crossing patrol or signs urging drivers to slow down.

Mr Broad said the council had been responsive to the school’s concerns but it was proving frustratingly difficult to get action.

The Stray Ferret approached North Yorkshire County Council for comment but had not received a reply by the time of publication.

 

Montpellier Parade pedestrian plans may contravene Stray Act

Plans to pedestrianise Montpellier Parade and allow bars and cafes to put tables there may not get off the ground because they appear to contravene the Stray Act.

North Yorkshire County Council told the Stray Ferret on Wednesday it was was considering a request by Simon and Sharon Colgan, the owners of the Blues Bar, to close the highway.

But although Montpellier Parade is a highway it still forms part of the Stray, which is covered by a 1985 Act of Parliament.

The Act says the 200 acres of Stray land should not be used for commercial gain.

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the Stray Defence Association, which upholds the Act and safeguards the Stray against building, said individuals were free to enjoy a drink on the Stray but commercial gain was prohibited. She added:

“Presumably Harrogate Borough Council will have to do what the Stray Act dictates.”

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A spokesman for HBC, which is responsible for management of the Stray, said: “Montpellier Parade is part of the Stray. We will consider the recommendations provided by the highways authority.”

A spokeswoman for NYCC, which is responsible for highways, said it was still investigating the possibility of closing Montpellier Parade.

The Colgans sent their request to NYCC after HBC ordered it to remove tables from Stray land opposite its premises.

 

Another 16 positive covid tests in Harrogate district

A further 16 people have tested positive for covid in the Harrogate district, according to the latest daily figures from Public Health England.

Only one day since the end of May has seen a higher number of daily infections in the district.

The figure brings the total number of district infections to 961 since the start of the pandemic.

The Dragon Road car park in Harrogate will host another Department of Health and Social Care testing site tomorrow from 11am to 3pm.

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Sharp increase in speeding tickets pre-lockdown

The number of speeding tickets in North Yorkshire increased significantly before lockdown due to “intensified efforts” by police.

North Yorkshire Police issued 13,424 fixed penalty notices for speeding in January and February this year, compared with 9,726 during the same months last year and 6,147 during the same months in 2018.

It means the police, who released the figures following a request made under the Freedom of Information Act, more than doubled the number of speeding tickets issued during the two-month period compared with 2018.

The number of fixed penalty notices fell from 5,836 in February to 3,624 in March when lockdown began and has remained down on last year’s comparative monthly figures. However, the roads have generally been quieter.

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A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said it was committed to tackling speeding and had been focusing particularly on towns and villages with a 30mph limit.

The spokesman said there had been some “awful driving and motorcycling” in spring on quieter roads during lockdown and it had launched “a significant operational response to tackle this”. The spokesman added:

“North Yorkshire Police has carried out several high-profile, county-wide roads policing operations in 2020 to address speeding in communities, on main routes and other dangerous road use.

“We saw speeds of more than 60mph in 30mph zones and more than 130mph on main roads during lockdown, when roads were quieter.

“The consequences of hitting a pedestrian or another vehicle at those speeds don’t bear thinking about, which is why we intensified our efforts to target irresponsible motorists.”

‘Horrific consequences’

The spokesman said police officers saw the “horrific consequences of excessive speed” when they attended incidents. He added:

“In the last few months, our officers have had to help people crushed by mangled vehicles, pick up body parts from the carriageway and witness people in their final moments of life. Then they’ve had to break the devastating news to the families left behind.”

Council considers plan to pedestrianise Montpellier Parade

Montpellier Parade in Harrogate could be closed to traffic and used instead for outdoor drinking and eating.

North Yorkshire County Council told the Stray Ferret it was considering a request by the Blues Bar to close the highway.

It is the latest twist in the saga in which Simon and Sharon Colgan, the owners of the Blues Bar, have been battling to maintain more outdoor space to compensate for a reduction in indoor capacity post-lockdown.

The bar’s indoor capacity reduced drastically from 80 to 25 when it reopened in July due to social distancing.

Harrogate Borough Council temporarily allowed the bar to have tables on the Stray to help business.

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But the borough council insisted the tables were removed on Monday to “prevent damage to the Stray and also reduce the risk of injury should it become wet and muddy”.

Now North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for highways, is offering a lifeline.

Melisa Burnham, the county council’s highways area manager, said:

“We have received a request from the owners of the Blues Bar to close Montpellier Parade.

“We have not made any commitment to close this road as further investigation and relevant consultation with the emergency services and adjoining businesses still needs to take place.

“If practically feasible, necessary temporary traffic regulation order requirements would mean that this could be a number of weeks before it could be delivered.”

Any closure at this stage would be temporary, but Ms Colgan said Montpellier Parade was hardly used by traffic and pedestrianising the street would benefit the town as a whole as well as the Blues Bar. She said:

“It would create more areas for outdoor eating and be a popular area for people in the town centre.”