Stray Ferret Readers, Author at The Stray Ferret

Readers’ Letters: ‘Large boulders’ would block traveller camps in KnaresboroughReaders’ Letters: Harrogate’s streets are laden with litter and cigarette buttsStray Views: ‘Shameful trickery’ at Harrogate hospital car park

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

I have been taking a friend to occasional appointments at the Harrogate hospital for several years.

Occasionally the barrier is up and therefore no charge is made.

On the December 27 this looked to be the case. I parked for 1 hour and 5 minutes. I didn’t look for and therefore didn’t see any signs that things had changed.

I then received a parking fine for £70.

The bollard at the entrance has not changed and is an intentional act to trick into not paying for parking as no ticket was issued.

It’s shameful trickery and I will no longer be able to take my friend for her appointments.

Al Hewitt, Harrogate

More letters

Please could we have more letters published in the letters section?

Now that the Harrogate Advertiser has cut down its letters page to a paltry two or three per week, there is little opportunity for local residents to have their views made public and the Stray Ferret would be an ideal medium for offering more of this.

Carol Trueman, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Stray Views: ‘Old wounds’ over west Harrogate bypass need to remain open

As you can imagine the headline to an article in the Stray Ferret immediately caught my attention – “Council quashes hopes of West Harrogate Bypass”

The only facts I can support and agree with in this article is that yes, North Yorkshire County Council, held a widely publicised consultation about congestion in 2019, and yes, Cllr Duncan’s predecessor may have abandoned unpopular plans to build a relief road by the Nidd Gorge following the consultation but certainly not for the reasons reported in this article.

The facts reported in the local media at the time gave the impression that the relief road was going to travel through or very close to the Nidd Gorge itself, an area of outstanding natural beauty. This impression apparently was bolstered with images of the Nidd Gorge so naturally most people are going to react as they did to this highly unpopular proposal. The questions in the consultation were skewed to make people answer in a particular way (as they nearly always are with consultations generated by North Yorkshire Council) to give the result the council wanted.

The people of Harrogate were totally misled and didn’t specifically vote against a relief road but the route they were led to believe it was taking through Nidd Gorge.

We are fed up with North Yorkshire Council massaging the information to suit themselves. The resulting doomed Station Gateway and the now scaled back gateway did not and will not tackle congestion at all in Harrogate. It will continue to be an ever-growing problem for the town. The results did not resoundingly favour sustainable transport and demand management solutions to congestion. They resoundingly rejected a route for a relief road through or near Nidd Gorge.

I fully support Conservative Cllr John Mann in his view that there is merit in the idea of building a bypass as a long-term project and his other comment that “congestion is already quite severe and dangerous to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians”. I believe “old wounds” as Cllr Duncan comments on this issue should and need to be kept open.

Barry Adams, Harrogate

Cyclists and hospital queues

In response to concerns over Harrogate hospital queues for cyclists.

If cyclists are that worried about the queues to get in the hospital, get off your bike and walk along the footpath. Simple.

Rob Young, Harrogate

Stray Views: Harrogate hospital queues ‘very dangerous’ for cyclists

Being a local resident, I have no experience of trying to park in Harrogate hospital with the new system. However, I have lots of experience as a cyclist, trying to bypass the regularly huge queues of traffic that built up in both directions at certain times of the day on Lancaster Park Road, waiting to get in to the hospital car park – queues sometimes extending all the way to Knaresborough Road and Willaston Crescent.

Very dangerous – with queues of traffic on one side and parked cars on the other, cars suddenly moving out of the queuing traffic made it very dangerous for anyone, particularly a cyclist, trying to pass. Yes, I’ve had a few close shaves.

It also made it very difficult, sometimes impossible for a vehicle to bypass the queue – I have witnessed flashing ambulances that were delayed as they couldn’t get past the queuing traffic to get to the car park entrance.

Hazel Maxwell, Harrogate

Royal Baths valuation ‘hypothetical’

Whilst I have absolutely no brief for North Yorkshire Council, perhaps an aspect of your story regarding what the Royal Baths is costing the taxpayer is a little misleading.

Yes when they purchased the legal interest it will have been the £9.5million, you quote. Any subsequent valuation whilst they own (hold) it (and local authorities are required to do them over a five year period on all categories of assets) will be at a point in time and a ‘book figure’. A true comparison can only be made when they actually sell their legal interest to a third party.

To arrive at the current book figure, they are required to take in a number of factors, to arrive at a valuation as at that point in time. It is conjecture therefore that it is actually costing the taxpayer money at this stage as the valuation is hypothetical and only if and when they sell their interest, can the true loss (or profit) be ascertained.

Other current losses, such as rental income and rates, are indeed losses that the taxpayer will need to pick up.

Bernard White, Ripon

Stray Views: I can suggest only two solutions to Harrogate’s traffic congestion

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district.

It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Dear Editor,

I read repeatedly of North Yorkshire Council councillors and others stating that recent consultations on Harrogate’s traffic congestion have rejected any road building projects and instead have supported more active travel schemes as the preferred solution. [Council quashes hopes of west Harrogate bypass]

Whilst I do not have a copy of the consultations to refer back to, my memory is that there never was a question along the lines of “Would you like to see further bypasses built? ”. The questions were more vague and designed to obtain the preferred council outcome. For example “Would you support the encouragement of more active travel?”. It is almost impossible to say “No” to such a question. The health benefits alone make “Yes” the only sensible answer.

But active travel will not remove Harrogate’s congestion at anytime in the near future, or even the medium term. The station gateway as originally proposed would not have improved the journey from, for example, Oatlands to Asda nor the journey back with a week’s shopping – wobbling up Leeds Road on a bicycle!

I can suggest only two solutions to Harrogate’s traffic congestion – one would be to complete the bypass around Harrogate, on a route that avoided sensitive areas of countryside. The other would be to ban all non-electric vehicles and all large cars from journeys into and within Harrogate. This second solution would need to be coupled with a scheme to provide small electric vehicles to all residents at a much subsidised cost (which would be demonstrably cheaper than building a bypass!), together with 2 or 3 Park and Ride schemes.

We could be pioneers! Think of Harrogate leading the way and being ahead of other towns in its innovative approach to reducing traffic congestion.

Yours

Andrew Dodd, Harrogate

I would like to add my support to the letter condemning the proposed removal of large numbers of mature trees in order to be able to increase production of Harrogate Spring Water. [Stray Views: Harrogate Spring Water plans a ‘total tree wash’]

Water in plastic bottles has a place in emergency situations such as the war in Gaza or Ukraine but there is no justification for it in this Country. Convenient it may be, but necessary it is not, and certainly not at the expense of the felling of mature trees.

Michael Pattinson, Harrogate

We’ve also had a number of emails from readers getting in touch with us after we ran a story about the new parking payment system at Harrogate District Hospital, run by private firm Parkingeye. Harrogate hospital defends criticism of new parking payment system. We will be doing a follow up story including some of your experiences this week. Get in touch with your views contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Stray Views: Harrogate Spring Water plans a ‘total tree wash’

Harrogate Spring Water state loudly on their website: “It is our role to take care of our natural environment.” They then make great play of their plastic bottles being fully recyclable. And yet, and yet.

The Stray Ferret’s article [Harrogate Spring Water plans reignite debate on trees and plastic] shows HSW aim to expand at the expense of 450 trees planted by children some 20 or 25 years ago. In return, they have arranged to plant some more trees somewhere else.

So: it seems they think that simply by virtue of trees being planted somewhere else that CO2 will be absorbed and stored maximally, instantly, regardless that the new trees will be smaller and younger and take years to establish and grow to the extent of those to be lost. It is as if there is no difference in the rate CO2 is absorbed and sequestered between old and young trees.

Likewise, it seems they think that “biodiversity” will magically re-materialise in a jiffy. It is as if there is no difference between an area where lots of trees have just been planted and actual habitats and ecosystems which may have take decades, centuries or even millennia to develop.

It’s all the same thing to Harrogate Spring Water: everything is equivalent, or at least as good. Immediately. And how can they even be 100% certain that the new sites of tree planting will never be touched again, given that those places are owned by someone other than HSW?

Shame on Harrogate Spring Water. This is Total Tree Wash. If they really cared about our “natural environment”, then they would stop distracting us from the fact that the world really doesn’t need more plastic bottles, recyclable or otherwise. Even assuming a plastic bottle finds its way to a recycling plant, plastic cannot be recycled endlessly anyway so it pollutes our “natural environment” (e.g. sea; rivers and animals including us) for hundreds of years (and maybe forever) in the end.

Perhaps they should expand by creating teams to educate the public about more sustainable ways of supplying bottled water and/or developing other materials that would carry water without polluting anything. Or they could simply stop selling bottled water.

Friedy Luther, Spofforth

Litter bin removal is rubbish

Walking from Harrogate through the Dragon Road car parks towards Bilton on the Nidderdale Greenway, it was disappointing to see five waste bins have now been removed from use.

There is now no general waste bin on the conference centre exhibitors off site Dragon Road car park.

Rubbish is strewn along the Nidderdale Greenway footpath, shopping trolleys over the railway fencing, street lights are out on both the Dragon Road car parks and along the Nidderdale Greenway footpath.

The first bin was located just before the Nidderdale Greenway passes over the railway line, and then another immediately on the other side of the railway line!

Likewise upon reaching the Woodfield Road / Dene Park junction at the Woodfield Park playing fields entrance, there was another pair of bins, one on either side of the Woodfield Road!

What thought has been put into removing existing bins, locating the news one and why the abhorrent OTT dalek design fabricated from plastic, when the simple metal “stand” seen in use would suffice all round!

North Harrogate Resident

Wonderful Harrogate panto

Our 40-something son Dan has been over from the States for a few days and expressed a wish to see the pantomime.

The three of us went to Harrogate Theatre’s Dick Whittington and were not disappointed. It’s a treat for all ages, with great sets, music, comedy, dancing and costumes. And the best Dame I’ve seen in ages.

I urge you all to book now!

Barbara Coultas, Harrogate

Stray Views: £10.8m junction 47 upgrade on A1 was ‘gigantic misuse’ of public money

Thank you for the article on junction 47. We felt all along that this was a project too far.

At a time when humanity is facing existential crisis due to fossil fuel emissions, we should be slowing traffic down, not trying to speed it up…so the project is a gigantic misuse of public money in our view.

It is on a par with the race to cover fields with inappropriate housing – designed to make profits for developers and their friends in government.

Also, please can we hear what happened to the newts? They really can’t expect us to believe that the newt relocation was that costly!

Shan Oakes, Knaresborough

Hospitality firms should contribute to Harrogate Convention Centre’s rebuild

The hotels and restaurants of Harrogate will be disappointed that the loss-making conference centre is not in line for a multi-million pound upgrade.

The rest of us will be relieved that such profligacy is to be avoided.

As the hospitality industry would be the only beneficiary of a new look conference centre I suggest that the hotels, pubs, restaurants and cafes of Harrogate all contribute, on a pro rata basis, towards its rebuild.

Dr Christopher Bennett, Ripon

A bypass would be more effective in south Harrogate

What is the purpose of the proposed Killinghall bypass road? Is it to take traffic that is going from east/west and getting around town in the shortest way?

If so, the Killinghall idea doesn’t make any sense since that isn’t where most of the traffic is. Traffic is much worse on the south side of Harrogate.

If the bypass was put in nearer to Pannal and then Beckwithshaw and on to the A59, there would seem to be a better chance to get more of the traffic off the roads.

Fred Hicks, Bilton, Harrogate

Stray Views: Government should clamp down on homeless tents

While I can’t imagine how on earth a penalty could be enforced against those that refuse accommodation, I must re-educate Lib Dem candidate Tom Gordon, on his belief that tents are not a “life choice” for some of the homeless.

Believe me Tom – having volunteered to work with the homeless for a good couple of years, I am only too aware that there are several local individuals who – for whatever reason – decline offers of help, support, accommodation or stability. It is their preferred lifestyle, and they have no desire to engage with services or have a permanent roof over their heads.

Personally, I don’t understand it. But I acknowledge it – each to their own. But I certainly stand by any decision to clamp down on the use of tents, lest we become a society reflective of some of the horrendous “tent cities” that are synonymous with many American cities.

Want to live in a tent? Fine. Your call. But to do so on the High Street, I draw the line. I may not vote Conservative, but I do agree that Suella Braverman understands someone needs to get a grip.

Mark Fuller, Harrogate

Badger Hill speeding an issue

The speed of traffic round the bend at Badger Hill needs to be seen, it has resulted in cars hitting the wall and the house. The latest was two weeks ago when a car left the road hit the wall and overturned. This is where many people sit waiting for the bus.

This is a very big concern and the councillors comments seemed to dismiss the involvement of the present Lady Mayoress, who visited us to hear our concerns.

Malcom Wood, Knaresborough

Stray Views: ‘Ridiculous difficulty’ parking at Harrogate hospital

How many people are late for their Harrogate District Hospital appointments or simply go home due to the ridiculous difficulty parking? I was there this afternoon and an elderly woman said she had been driving around for an hour looking for a space.

You now have to arrive a good 45 minutes early and even then you may not be parked in time. It took numerous circuits last week before I found a space.

The parking fee has been hiked to £4 for a couple of hours, it’s daylight robbery, particularly when all you are doing is driving around aimlessly, competing with other drivers for non existent spaces. Using two buses to get there isn’t an option for most people.

It’s time to reinstate the barrier so that people only enter the hospital car park when there is actually a space.

Liz Carnell, Harrogate

Leeds Bradford Airport needs covered walkway

I note your report on Leeds Bradford Airport upgrading the terminal at cost of £100 million.

It would be great if they could spare a few pounds and construct a covered walkway for the drop-off point to the terminal so passengers can arrive dry into the booking in departure area.

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

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More letters

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Cyclists and hospital queues

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Royal Baths valuation ‘hypothetical’

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Litter bin removal is rubbish

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Wonderful Harrogate panto

Hospitality firms should contribute to Harrogate Convention Centre’s rebuild

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A bypass would be more effective in south Harrogate

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Badger Hill speeding an issue

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Leeds Bradford Airport needs covered walkway