Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning it’s Suzannah with you this week. I’m here to give you all the necessary traffic updates to keep your morning journey smooth.

It’s very cold out there this morning so take care on the roads.

Our live traffic blogs include any roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays or cancelations to public transport.

If you spot anything, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197 and we can help other commuters too.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

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8am – Full Update 

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7.30am – Full Update 

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7am – Full Update 

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The roads are still looking quiet this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

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6.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no build ups of traffic yet.

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Police officers visit Ripon school kids to talk dangers of knife crime

Students from a Ripon primary school kids were visited by police officers to talking about the dangers of knife crime and taking drugs.

North Yorkshire Police‘s school liaison team and author Christina Gabbitas visited Holy Trinity Junior School last week to show children the dangers of getting involved in crime and how to avoid it.

Visits were also make to other schools across the county, including Scarborough and York.

Concerns about crime in Ripon have grown in recent months with some residents “scared to go out”. The police has promised more visibility in the city in an attempt to crackdown on crime.

Ripon has seen incidents in recent months involving knives; one in August left a boy in tears when he was told at knifepoint to take off his trainers and hand over his phone and jewellery.

The visits were in conjunction with a national campaign to tackle knife crime, Op Spectre. The students watched a video which showed young people getting drawn into the world of drug dealing which resulted in one of them being stabbed.

They were also given a ‘No more knives or county lines’ work booklet at the end of the session.

Sergeant Heidi Lewis of the schools liaison team said officers were there to build relationships with the children and answer any questions:

“Education at an early stage is crucial to steer children away from falling into a criminal lifestyle and becoming exploited.

“Some young people think it’s safe to carry a knife in case they need it for self-defence – but this could not be further from the truth. Any knife in the hands of anyone can cost lives and that’s what we hope the children we have engaged with this week have learned”.

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Christina Gabbitas said:

“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for us to educate children at a young age about these issues and dangers. If we can get children to recognise the signs at an early age, we have a better chance to prevent them coming to harm.

“I am always so impressed with how engaged the children I speak to are. They are so keen to learn about these issues and because it’s done in a safe environment amongst peers, the children are very open and always ask a lot of questions.”

To reports concerns for the safety of a child, contact the police on 101.

Consultation agreed over merger of two Harrogate primary schools

Plans to merge two Harrogate primary schools have taken a step forward today after county councillors agreed to move proposals to the consultation stage.

North Yorkshire County Council met today to discuss a proposed merger for Woodfield Community Primary School and Grove Road Community Primary School, with parents set to be asked for their views when the consultation opens on December 2.

The schools sit just half a mile apart, but have very different Ofsted ratings, pupils numbers and finances.

Grove Road is rated as “good” by Ofsted inspectors, while Woodfield is judged “inadequate” and currently in special measures.

Woodfield has also failed to find an academy trust willing to take it over.

Due to pupil numbers determining the level of funding that a school receives, it is forecasting to be almost £333,000 in debt by 2024 due to the 49 pupils currently enrolled.

At Grove Road, the school is currently operating at capacity with almost 300 pupils and is forecasting a budget surplus by 2026.

Speaking today, councillor Patrick Mulligan, executive member for education and skills at the county council, described the proposed merger as an “exciting opportunity” for both schools and said the authority would listen to all comments during the consultation:

“We are confident it will achieve the best possible provision for all pupils, and importantly ensuring that the Woodfield site continues to be used for education of the wider community.

“The proposed amalgamation would be achieved through the technical closure of Woodfield School, and the enlargement of Grove Road School through future use of the Woodfield site.”

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A new leadership team was appointed at Woodfield when it was placed into special measures in January 2020 and an Ofsted monitoring report has since said “effective action” is being taken to remove the worst-possible rating.

However, Cllr Mulligan said these arrangements were only ever temporary and that the merger has been proposed as the school still faces an “uncertain future”.

He said:

“The two governing bodies carefully considered the proposals before half term, and both agreed to ask us to start a consultation.

“We have worked together with the schools to assess how education provision within the Woodfield community could best be preserved.

“Families, staff, and other members of the local community will have opportunities to consider the detail of the proposals during the consultation period.”

The consultation will run until January 22 next year before a final decision is made by the county council three months later in April.

If approved, the merger would create a single primary school operating on both school sites from September 2022.

Commissioner candidates questioned: Restoring confidence

In the fifth of a series of articles on crime issues in the Harrogate district, candidates standing to be North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner are questioned on how they will restore confidence. 

When former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott sparked outrage over his comments on the murder of Sarah Everard, he did not only damage public trust, but also the trust of his own staff.

In a letter, colleagues said their work was “undermined” by Mr Allott’s remarks that women needed to be “streetwise” about arrest powers which were falsely used by the police officer who murdered Ms Everard.

Now, the five candidates competing to replace Mr Allott at Thursday’s election have set out what they would do to try restore that confidence.

Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

Hannah Barham-Brown said:

“Like many I was shocked and outraged by Phillip Allott’s comments and I’m glad he recognised that his position was untenable.

“Restoring trust and confidence in the commissioner’s office, and ensuring that ending violence against women and girls is a political and policing priority in North Yorkshire, is exactly why I am contesting the post.

“I am unapologetic in my commitment to tackling violence and intend to transform policing priorities to ensure the needs and concerns of everyone – but especially the most marginalised – are at the centre of my work.”

Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative

Harrogate councillor Zoe Metcalfe is the third Conservative hoping to take on the £74,00-a-year commissioner role which was created in 2012.

She said she would restore confidence by “being visible, transparent and open, working alongside our excellent police officers and firefighters”.

Councillor Metcalfe, who is also a project manager for a property company, also made a pledge to “make sure resident’s priorities are put in place to make our streets safer for everyone”.

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

Emma Scott-Spivey said a “fresh approach” to overseeing police and fire services is needed following Mr Allott’s resignation last month.

She also said she would volunteer herself to be open to recall powers which exist for MPs, but not for commissioners.

She said:

“I will be guided by what victims say, what the public says and what professionals on the frontline say. I won’t dodge tough conversations or hide from difficult issues or decisions.

“I will be open, accessible and transparent. And I will make sure our police and fire services take the same approach.

“That fresh approach includes donating 20% of the salary to local causes.”

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Keith Tordoff, Independent

Keith Tordoff stood in the previous election in May when Mr Allott won by a margin of more than 31,000 votes.

Mr Tordoff, who finished in third place and previously served for 20 years at West Yorkshire Police, said a key part of his election campaign and a way of restoring confidence is to “keep politics out of the police and fire services”.

He said:

“This is what I stand for. “I’m not in thrall to the vested interests of a political party and people know this. The Tory party gave you their best candidate just six months ago, look how that turned out. ”

James Barker, Liberal Democrat

Liberal Democrat James Barker also stood in the last election, finishing in fourth place. He said there is “much work to do to rebuild trust” in the commissioner’s office.

He said:

“If elected, my priority on day one would be starting the long process of making sure everyone can have faith that the PFCC listens to and supports victims of crime.

“When determining priorities for police and fire services in North Yorkshire, I would seek input from residents and staff to ensure that the police and crime plan for North Yorkshire is genuinely reflective of the needs and concerns of our communities.”

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, November 25 with the results set to be announced the following day.

Ferris wheel joins host of Christmas attractions in Harrogate

A ferris wheel is now in place on Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens joining a host of other Christmas fairground attractions including a helter skelter and a carousel.

The arrival of the ferris wheel was delayed due to a missing part but now it’s here it completes the Christmas attractions organised by Harrogate BID and Harrogate Borough Council.

The hope is that the three attractions, alongside the Christmas markets and other events, will entice people to visit the town and give a boost to local businesses.

These three rides are set to stay in place until early January.

A festive road train will also travel around the town centre from Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 12.

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County council meets today to discuss fate of two Harrogate primary schools

The plans for Woodfield Community Primary School to merge with nearby Grove Road Community Primary School have been met with fierce backlash from some parents.

Woodfield was put into special measures by Ofsted in January 2020. Any school judged “inadequate” by Ofsted is required to become a sponsored academy but Woodfield failed to find an academy willing to take it on.

At the meeting today county councillors will discuss whether the merger should move to a consultation period from December 2. It has already been discussed by the governing bodies of each school.

The consultation stage would last until January 22, next year with a final decision taken by the executive board in April.

Woodfield Primary School has been under-subscribed for years, according to a county council report. It currently has 49 pupils and Grove Road has 292.

New format for the schools

The Woodfield site would initially operate as a nursery for children from both schools while Grove Road would cater for children from reception to year six.

Then from September 2023, all nursery children and reception pupils would be based at the current Woodfield site, which would eventually accommodate all key stage 1 pupils. All key stage 2 children would be based at the current Grove Road site.

The county council report says if the proposals went ahead, there would be 350 primary school places available across the two sites of the amalgamated Grove Road School.

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The report spoke of the future of staff at Woodfield school:

“The county council is the employer for staff at both Grove Road Community Primary School and Woodfield Community Primary School and the Governing Bodies will seek to protect employment as far as possible for staff currently employed at Woodfield.

“A separate HR consultation process for staff and their professional associations will commence in the spring term and the Governing Bodies will most likely propose an internal transfer of staff from Woodfield to Grove Road.”

 

Grayson Perry’s Harrogate show cancelled after he tests positive for covid

Grayson Perry was due to perform at Harrogate Convention Centre this weekend but has had to cancel his show after testing positive for covid.

The artist, writer and broadcaster told his followers on Saturday he had tested positive for covid. However, it was only today that his show in Harrogate on Saturday, November 27 was cancelled.

The Harrogate Theatre tweeted about the event today. It said:

“Unfortunately, due to Grayson Perry testing positive for covid, the performance on Saturday November 27 has had to be postponed.

“Ticket holders will be contacted directly with further information. We apologise for the late notice and any inconvenience this may cause.”

It is unclear when the performance will be rescheduled to, ticket holders should receive further information on an email.

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A total of four shows have been cancelled including last weekend’s performances at Buxton Opera House and Royal Albert Hall and the upcoming show on Sunday November 28 at Kendal Leisure Centre.

The show, ‘Grayson Perry: A Show for Normal People’, was described as an evening of “worthiness and silliness” with Mr Perry expected to ask big questions around the meaning of life and why it all matters.

Woman wanted after fraud scam in Harrogate shop

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information to identify a woman spotted on CCTV in a Harrogate shop after a fraud was committed.

Cash was taken from the One Stop on Crab Lane Harrogate at 10.30am on October 22.

The woman entered the shop and asked for cash to be changed into different notes and coins. The scam known as ‘ringing the change’ involves the scammer asking for various different notes and coins to confuse the cashier into giving them extra money.

Anyone who recognises the woman in the image is asked to contact the police.

If you have information contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Brendon Frith or email Brendon.Frith@northyorkshire.police.uk. Quote reference number 12210226719.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Harrogate historian writes book about town’s Edwardian past

A Harrogate historian has written a book about the lives of working-class people during the Edwardian period in Harrogate.

This will be the fifth book by Dr Paul Jennings, who has lived in Harrogate for 25 years.

He said Harrogate’s rich and lavish past is often documented but the lives and names of people who helped to build the town are lost to history.

The book, ‘Working-Class lives in Edwardian Harrogate’, looks at the lives of numerous working-class professions including servants, hospitality staff, rail workers and industry workers.

Around 3,000 women worked as servants in Harrogate during the Edwardian period, 1901-1914, which was a lot more than other sectors.

The book also looks at education for poorer people, local amusements and some of the rich families they worked for.

Anyone interested in local history may know the name Samson Fox, he was mayor of Harrogate three times between 1890 and 1892 an also brought Harrogate with its first steam fire engine, built the Grove Road School, funded the Royal Hall and provided affordable social housing.

Another local life examined in the book is Richard Ellis who funded the Queen Victoria statues which still stands across from the train station.

Dr Jennings said:

“I was more interested in the names people don’t often remember. I spent a lot of time in Northallerton’s record office as well as local libraries. Some schools were also kind enough to let me go through their historical records.

“It was seriously enjoyable doing it.”

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The idea for the book came around seven years ago.

Dr Jennings became inspired when he started researching the Edwardian period, 1901 to 1914. It was the period Harrogate really boomed, well-known buildings such as the Harrogate Theatre, the Majestic Hotel and the Royal Baths were being built around this time.

Dr Jennings is a retired history lecturer from the University of Bradford and also a member of the Harrogate Civic Society.

He said he has no current plans to write another book on Harrogate but has plenty of work lined up with the civic society.

The book is also in conjunction with an upcoming exhibition at the Pump Room Museum, which has a provisional opening date of December 2.

Parents call for Harrogate army college to be closed after abuse claims

Three parents have called for Harrogate Army Foundation College to be closed after claiming their children were abused.

Alison Blackwell, Charlotte Poad and another parent, known only as Kevin, expressed their concerns to the Child Rights International Network, which is a think tank that focuses on the human rights of young people.

The college on Penny Pot Lane, which provides basic training for the British Army for 16 and 17-year-olds, was recently rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

CRIN sent an open letter to Ofsted yesterday questioning its rating and claiming the college is unsafe. The letter says:

“The ‘outstanding’ grade leads potential recruits and their parents to assume that the college offers the highest standard of care.

“With this open letter, we wish to repeat our concern that the college is unsafe, as evidenced by multiple formal complaints of abuse by staff, the routine use of stressors in training, and the imposition on recruits of legal obligations that deny them the right to leave at will.

“We believe that a civilian college with a similar record would be closed.”

The letter adds the army’s Joint Personnel Administration system had recorded 60 formal alleged incidents of violence against recruits aged under 18 by members of college staff since 2014, including assault and battery, and that 10 of the allegations were made since Ofsted’s inspection in 2017.

It also raises concerns about the college’s “very high attrition rate”, saying 30 percent of recruits aged under 18
drop out before they complete their training and that recruits have no legal right to leave during the first six weeks.

It claims the college operates daily use of physical and psychological stressors, such as the interruption of sleep and privacy and the use of humiliation to induce obedience.

Son died aged 17

Alison Blackwell is waiting for a Ministry of Defence inquiry into her son’s death. He died aged 17 while serving in the army.

She told the CRIN:

“My son told me he was hit, slapped, pushed, kicked and verbally abused by staff. He said he felt humiliated by this treatment and he never expected to be treated this way. He knew the training would be tough but this was abuse and the staff were power crazy.

“My son started drinking heavily and was very withdrawn, he rang me to tell me he was handing in his letter to leave. He told me his request was ripped up in his face. He was only 17 years old and devastated at not being able to leave. My son died last year while still serving in the army.”

Army Foundation College

Kevin, the father of a recruit who joined the college in 2015 said:

“My son had been bullied… he and the other recruits were talked down to, called the c-word and the f-word constantly, which seems at odds with AFC’s good Ofsted rating for health and well-being.

“I saw first-hand how the young soldiers were marched and drilled, brought into line. I saw lads who were limping, some with crutches, also being drilled and marched, trying in vain to keep up with the rest of the platoon. My son said that some keeled over and fainted as they marched and stood to attention.”

Charlotte Poad, whose son joined the college in 2016 said:

“I overheard several conversations with his fellow recruits discussing ‘bathroom beatings’ and ‘things going too far’. He also let slip he was actively encouraged to attend strip clubs by the staff members in charge of his group. We know that staff bullied and abused the young recruits, as well as encouraging fighting amongst peers.

“He is a completely different person since his time at Harrogate. He has attempted suicide and his mental health is permanently damaged.”

An instructor at the college was demoted at a court martial last week after being convicted of punching two teenage soldiers. Cpl Kimberley Hey was acquitted of six other charges of battery relating to three other soldiers. The court heard she told recruits, “you’re mine now, bitches” and punched teenage soldiers.

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The army’s response

An army spokesman said:

“We have very strong duty of care and safeguarding mechanisms at AFC (Harrogate) to ensure junior soldiers have the right support structures.  This includes multiple methods of accessing welfare support, including confidential support lines.

“We take every incident seriously and will refer an allegation to the Royal Military Police for investigation. We also have a Ministry of Defence police officer based at AFC (Harrogate) to assist in education and investigation.”

Last month’s Ofsted report praised the college for its “very good training .. immaculate facilities”.

It also gave positive feedback on its safeguarding saying the college investigated incidents throughly and made necessary improvements.

A new Commanding Officer was employed in July 2020, Lt Col Simon Farebrother MC, with a new vision for the college.

The report added his ethos of “emotional and psychological safety, inclusion and teamwork is firmly embedded” within the college.

Lt Col Farebrother said at the time:

“I’m absolutely delighted, the grade reflects the hard work of my military, civilian and contractor staff at all levels. I’m enormously proud of them, continuing to deliver throughout an extraordinarily challenging period.

“The junior soldiers depart with valuable qualifications, a bunch of new friends and walk into a brilliant career, full of opportunity.”