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15
Feb 2021
Cars could make way for cyclists on another Harrogate road
Cars could soon make way for cyclists on another major route in Harrogate under proposals to make Oatlands Drive one-way.
Road closures have become a hot topic in Harrogate lately.
Beech Grove was due to close to through traffic today as part of plans to encourage more cyclists and pedestrians by creating a low traffic neighbourhood.
North Yorkshire County Council wants to create another low traffic neighbourhood in a yet-to-be specified part of Bilton, which could see further restrictions on vehicles.
Now the council is consulting on plans to make Oatlands Drive one-way southbound.
It also wants to limit the speed to 20mph, widen the existing footpath and create a new segregated cycleway.
Four parallel crossings, which combine pedestrian and cycle crossings, are planned, along with one-way filters that would affect the junctions with St Winifred’s Drive and St Hilda’s Road.
The £215,000 Oatlands project is one of three cycling schemes the council opened consultation on last week.
The two other schemes would see cycle tracks created on Knaresborough Road between High Bridge in Knaresborough and Harrogate Golf Club, as well as on Victoria Avenue between Princes Square and Station Parade.
Read more:
- Controversial Harrogate road closure starts today
- Consultation launched for three Harrogate cycling schemes
The Department for Transport awarded £1,011,750 for the schemes after a successful funding bid by the council.
Of the three schemes, vehicle movements would only be restricted on Oatlands Drive.
'Ridiculous idea'
One local resident, Mr Brown, told the Stray Ferret some local people were "fuming".
He said he cycled as well as drove and questioned how forcing vehicles to make longer journeys into town along Wetherby Road would ease congestion and improve the environment.
Mr Brown said many of the roads named after saints were already clogged up by cars parked by Harrogate District Hospital staff. He added:
Beech Grove is due to close for six months and, depending on the results of a public consultation, could become permanent.
Work to install the signage, bollards and planters will take three days from today, weather permitting.
You can take part in the Oatlands Drive consultation by clicking or tapping here.
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