Flash:Queen and a fireworks display fit for a king provided a sparkling end to two days of coronation celebrations on Ripon Market Square last night.

The accomplished tribute act entertained a crowd of more than 1,500, with a selection of favourite hits from the songbook of Mercury, May and Taylor.

The 90-minute top of the bill performance, featuring Radio Ga Ga, We are the Champions, Under Pressure and Don’t Stop Me Now, among others, engaged the audience and saw many join in the Queen classics that have become rock anthems.

The band was still performing on stage when  Ripon Town Hall clock clicked onto 10.50pm, and a fireworks display lit up the sky above buildings in Market Square East, providing a double crescendo that brought the night of entertainment to an end.

Celebrations to mark the coronation of their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla, were organised by Ripon City Council and funded from the parish precept,

They included more than 12 hours of musical entertainment provided by tribute acts and Tamsin (pictured above) who performed under her own name,

In addition to the coronation concerts held over two days ,free fairground rides were  provided yesterday and proved popular with children of all ages.

Read more:

• Coronation celebrations underway in Harrogate district
• How Ripon Cathedral is marking the coronation

The £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway has been branded a “piecemeal vanity project” by the chair of the committee that voted to approve it.

The Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, which advises North Yorkshire Council, backed the scheme by 10 votes to three at a meeting on Friday.

The decision paves the way for North Yorkshire Council’s ruling Conservative executive to give the project the go-ahead on May 30.

It means Station Parade will be reduced to one lane of traffic so a bus lane and cycle route can be built and James Street partly pedestrianised.

Committee chair Pat Marsh was one of three Lib Dems to oppose the gateway but support by five of her colleagues and five Conservatives enabled it to go through despite vociferous public opposition.

In a press release issued last night, Cllr Pat Marsh — who is leader of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems — called for businesses and residents to be consulted as the scheme progressed. She said:

“Of particular concern was the level of poor consultation and lack of any business impact assessment for the project. The council needs to acknowledge their mistakes and learn from them.

“Many residents and businesses put forward positive suggestions for improving the scheme. There is little evidence that any of this was listened to and actioned.”

Read more:

• £11.2m Station Gateway set to go ahead after crucial Harrogate area vote
• Publican says cycle path crackdown in Harrogate is ‘unreasonable’

Cllr Marsh, who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone, added:

“The lack of long-term investment in the town centre and any meaningful strategic active travel plan for the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency means that projects like the gateway are seen as isolated piecemeal vanity projects by the council’s administration rather than a solution that links improvements in traffic flow throughout the town, leading to significant carbon emission reductions.”

“There is nothing in this scheme that will reduce traffic volumes in the town centre to any meaningful degree.”

Cllr Marsh claimed North Yorkshire Council’s “unwillingness” to consider a Harrogate park and ride scheme “further highlights the lack of strategic thinking”.

She also claimed recent failures to secure levelling-up and active travel funding from the UK government “questioned the ability of North Yorkshire Council to deliver this project on time and to budget”.

Friday’s meeting saw councillors agree to support the gateway on condition that further engagement with local businesses and residents took place.

The committee also requested an active role in the project as it progresses.

The Harrogate district is celebrating today’s coronation of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey

The Stray Ferret will be reporting from across the district today as the celebrations begin for the weekend.

Don’t forget to send in pictures from your coronation parties to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or message us on our Facebook page.

You can follow all our coverage below.

5.15pm – Thanks for joining us

Thanks for joining us for today’s coverage of the coronation from across the Harrogate district.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more stories from across the district as the celebrations continue into Sunday.

4.30pm – The former Ripon Grammar School student behind Queen Camilla’s dress

Did you know the designer of Queen Camilla’s dress for today’s coronation is a former Ripon Grammar School pupil?

Bruce Oldfield, 72, was a student at the school in the 1960s.

Read more here.

Queen Camilla pictured in her white silk dress.

3.51pm – Knaresborough coronation event ‘good for the town’

Residents in Knaresborough have spoken of how a coronation event was much needed for the town.

Hundreds flocked to Knaresborough House today to celebrate King Charles III being coronated.

Read more here.

2.30pm – HADCA looking for volunteers

There’s still time to take part in the The Big Help Out and do good in your community by volunteering on Monday.

Voluntary sector organisation HADCA is urging those interested in taking part on Monday — or any other time — to get in touch.

If you're interested in @TheBigHelpOut23 come along to meet @VolunteerHADCA in the Valley Gardens in #Harrogate on Monday & find out about lots of local opportunities, or visit our online searchable directory any time for around 200 roles to choose from 👍 https://t.co/kXWNZjW4ZC

— Karen Weaver (@KarenWeaver2020) May 6, 2023

2.25pm – Are you volunteering or having a street party?

Today is day one of three of the Stray Ferret’s live coverage of the coronation bank holiday weekend.

Will you be volunteering as part of the Big Help Out? Or is your street holding a street party?

If so, let us know and we will try to come along or you can send us photos on the day and we will include them in our coverage. It’s easy – email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or DM us on Facebook.

2.14pm – ‘This is good for Knaresborough’

Our roving reporter Calvin is still out and about in Knaresborough. He just met Bob Godsell, of Knaresborough Lions, which is running the bar at today’s big event at Knaresborough House.

Bob said the Knaresborough House celebration was much needed:

“This is good for the town, especially after the past few years that we have had.”

1.54pm – Community Stars selling treats

Clare Robinson and Emma Jenner, from Community Stars CIC, have done so much to revive access to facilities at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough.

Today they have a bake and sandwich stall at Knaresborough House.

Clare said: “It’s started to pick up this afternoon. It’s just been a lovely family day for the town.”

1.36pm – Knaresborough House big screen

Hundreds of people are gathered at Knaresborough House to watch the newly coronated King Charles III procession down the Mall. Plenty of stalls are also on offer, including face painting, treats and crafts.

12.47pm – St Edward’s crown replica at Grantley Hall

The venue near Ripon has tweeted about its impressive floral creation.

To celebrate the #Coronation of Their Majesties, King Charles III & Queen Camilla, we have recreated the St Edward's Crown using flowers to commemorate the Coronation by celebrating His Majesty's passion for gardening. #KingCharlesIII #NationalGardeningWeek pic.twitter.com/I2VRPLaroF

— Grantley Hall (@GrantleyHall_) May 6, 2023

12.40pm – Schools fly the flag

Many local primary schools had coronation themed events yesterday and have adorned their buildings in union flags. Here’s Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School’s fine effort.

12.15pm – Businesses show their colours

Businesses across the Harrogate district have also been decorating for this weekend.

11.40am – Betsy gets coronation ready

Even pets are getting in the coronation spirit.

Sue has shared this picture with us of her pug Betsy ready for the celebrations.

11.30am – Valley Gardens gets in the coronation spirit

People have flocked to Valley Gardens in Harrogate for the coronation today.

The gardens were full of rides, stalls and amusements as the celebrations got underway this morning.

A big screen was also in place next to the Sun Pavilion, where people gathered to watch the coronation ceremony get underway at 11am.

People took there sits decked in bunting, hats and flags while children ran around enjoying the rides and food stalls on display.

10.58am – Ripon Cathedral livestream gets underway

People have been taking their seats at Ripon Cathedral, to see the live streaming of the coronation service from Westminster Abbey. It is being viewed on strategically placed television screens. Among those in attendance were Mr and Mrs Alex Petherbridge and their daughters Tabitha, Silvia and Claudia.

10.10am – Harrogate and Knaresborough primed for coronation

Both Harrogate and Knaresborough have been decorated in coronation colours this week ahead of the weekend.

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens is set to host a big screen today showing the ceremony.

Meanwhile, flowers have been put up in Knaresborough and a screen is set to be in place at Knaresborough House today as part of the celebrations.

10.05am – Flowers in place at Ripon Cathedral

Floral displays created by the Ripon Cathedral Flower Guild and Ripon Flower Club are in place at the ancient building to illustrate the stages of the coronation ceremony.

10am – Fountains Abbey to be lit up purple

Fountains Abbey near Ripon will be lit up purple this Sunday as part of the coronation celebrations.

Below is a sneak peek of how the abbey will look in the “Lighting Up The Nation” event.

The lighting up is not a public event.

9.54am – Lauren Doherty in attendance at Westminster Abbey

Knaresborough road safety campaigner Lauren Doherty is in attendance for today’s coronation ceremony in London.

She’s shared this picture on her social media as she heads to Westminster Abbey this morning.

9.47am – Ripon kicks off celebrations

Ripon kicked off the coronation celebrations in style last night.

Residents were rocking as the ancient city kicked off celebrations for the new king and queen with an eve of coronation concert.

With connections to monarchy going back to 886 AD, when Alfred the Great is said to have recognised the bravery of locals for fighting off a Viking incursion with the award of a ceremonial horn, Ripon has remained staunchly royal and loyal.

Read more here.

9.45am – Welcome to our coronation blog

Welcome to the Stray Ferret’s live blog for the coronation weekend.

We’ll be across the district reporting the celebrations as they happen.

If you’re still unsure about where to go to join in the fun of today’s proceedings, you can find out all the events on our coronation guide here.

Read more:

• Fireworks display for Ripon’s coronation celebrations
• How Ripon Catherdal is marking the coronation

Residents were rocking in Ripon last night as the ancient city kicked off celebrations for the new king and queen with an eve of coronation concert.

With connections to monarchy going back to 886 AD, when Alfred the Great is said to have recognised the bravery of locals for fighting off a Viking incursion with the award of a ceremonial horn, Ripon has remained staunchly royal and loyal.

The Market Square, where Royalists forces of Charles I fought off Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentary troops in a Civil War skirmish in 1643, provided a fitting setting to celebrate the imminent crowning of the descendant who shares his name.

Crowds in front of Ripon Town Hall

The stage for last night’s free concert featuring the tribute acts Jersey Beyond, Aftersun Party Band (pictured below) and Complete Madness (main picture) was located in front of Ripon Town Hall where two plaques are in place to mark visits of the then Prince of Wales

The first came in 1994, and the second in 2002, when he became a Freeman of the City in recognition of his contribution to Ripon’s regeneration, which included  the building of a new library and The Arcade retail development.

Amid the nostalgic rock and pop music from the 60s, 70s and 80s, came the ever-present link to the city’s historic past, when Patricio Maglio, a member of the city’s hornblower team, set the watch at 9pm.

Today (Saturday) following the Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey – which can be watched on large television screens in Ripon Cathedral starting at 9.30am – there will be further revelry on Market Square, with musical entertainment from 3pm and free fairground rides from 11am until 8pm.

The festivities will finish with a fireworks display between 10.50pm and 11pm.

Read more:

• Fireworks display for Ripon’s coronation celebrations
• How Ripon Catherdal is marking the coronation

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.  

Today, May 6, 2023, is a milestone in British history, the coronation of a new King after 71 years since King George VI who reigned from 1936 to 1952.

It’s also the D-day for my first food feature, which I am honoured coincides with the King’s coronation and I couldn’t be prouder.

It’s only fitting that this feature celebrates the King’s coronation. My son, as part of Blackburn Cathedral choir, sang for Prince Charles many moons ago and I was opportune to be a Princes Trust mentor for some years.

Many of us only knew the Queen growing up and even though we knew this day had to come, we clung on in hope for our Queen to live as long as possible. God rest her soul.

Today’s celebration calls for something special. The Royal family has never failed to inspire, and make us proud when it comes to pomp and pageantry; this time will be no different.

We can’t think of things that are quintessentially British without certain foods or ingredients coming to mind: afternoon tea, asparagus, rhubarb, quiches, coronation chicken and my favourite which is Victoria sponge cake.

So, in celebration of the King’s coronation, it’s only fitting that we have a dish that screams ‘British’ but also reminds us of the Commonwealth nations that are part of this celebration. The King and the Queen Consort have asked for quiche to be on the coronation menu.

The quiche, a staple in many homes and pub menus, is mostly served cold but I love to eat mine when it is slightly warm. Eating quiche feels a tad more elevated than eating cold sandwiches which I personally find to be soul crushing.

Here’s my version of quiche created to celebrate the King’s coronation. It is a play on coronation chicken using ingredients and some bold flavours of many Commonwealth nations.

Curried chicken, onions, peppers, and chilli Quiche

Ingredients:

Quiche base

250g block of ready-made shortcrust pastry

Quiche Filling – for a 23-inch pan or two 15-inch pans

Poached or Roasted Chicken – breasts or thighs – 100g

1 red pointed pepper or bell pepper

1 medium red onion

½ chilli – chipotle, habanero, or scotch bonnet

2 eggs

125ml of milk

175ml of double cream

100g of grated cheddar cheese

Tart base – using short crust pastry

1 tsp of curry powder

½ tsp Kashmiri pepper flakes

Smoked sea salt to taste

½ tsp of fresh mixed herbs – parsley, thyme, and rosemary

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C
2. Roll out the dough into your quiche tin and line with baking paper; add some baking stones and blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove the baking paper and stones
3. Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C
4. Cook and shred the chicken or use leftovers from your roast chicken dinner
5. Add a little oil to a pan over high heat; fry the sliced onions, chillies, and pepper; season with salt and curry powder; add in the shredded chicken and cook for 3 minutes allowing the flavours to infuse into the chicken. Set aside to cool down
6. Beat the milk, cream, eggs, Kashmiri pepper, herbs, and salt together in a bowl
7. Scatter half of the grated cheese in the blind-baked base, evenly top with the chicken and peppers before adding the custard mixture
8. Sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Place into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until set and lightly golden. Check at the 25-minute mark.

Tips for getting a great pasty base: 

Serve warm with some salad, spiced chips, and curry-mayo.

Long live the King! Happy celebrations!

Read More: 

• Coronation events: where to celebrate across the Harrogate district
• Hot Seat: Bringing Ripon firm Farmison back to life

A Harrogate publican told to remove the chairs and tables outside his pub to make way for a cycle path says he feels he is “being punished” by the council’s “unreasonable” demands. 

Charlie Tinker, who owns Charlie’s Place on Otley Road, was sent a letter in March from North Yorkshire County Council saying that the pavement in front of his pub “is now a shared footway/cycleway and as such the full width of the footway is required”. It goes on to demand that he “remove all furniture, heaters and A-boards” from the space outside the pub’s front door. 

Mr Tinker, who has owned Charlie’s Place for 19 years, has complied with the letter but said: 

“It’s not easy for publicans – we’re still trying to recover from the covid lockdowns. The last thing we need is the council making things even more difficult for us.

“With the warmer weather coming, this is going to cost me income. I feel like I’m being punished. 

“What the council is demanding is unreasonable. Just down the road, there’s a council bench and a council bin, both closer to the kerb than anything I’ve put out. It’s one rule for them and another rule for the rest of us.” 

Mr Tinker said he accepted there needs to be a cycle path, but does not believe it should require the whole pavement. He said: 

“The section of dedicated cycle path that they’ve purpose-built just up the road is 5ft 2in (159cm) across, but the council wants the full 11ft 9in (358cm) outside my pub.

“Even if you take into account extra space for, say, a double buggy alongside the cycle path, I should still have enough space for a couple of small tables and some chairs. There should be give and take.” 

Charlie Tinker has owned Charlie’s Place for 19 years.

According to the Department of Transport’s guidance published in 2020, the desirable width of a one-way cycle route with a peak flow of fewer than 200 cyclists per hour, as is the case on Otley Road, is 1.5 metres (4ft 11in) – considerably less than half the width of the pavement outside Charlie’s Place.

North Yorkshire Council, which took over the responsibilities of North Yorkshire County Council on April 1, told the Stray Ferret there was no formal street café licence or pavement licence in place, and said there was not enough width to accommodate pedestrians, tables and chairs, adding “this was the case before the Otley Road cycleway was introduced”.

Melisa Burnham, North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager, said:

“Independent businesses are at the heart of our communities, and we do everything we can to support them. We recognise the importance of outdoor space for the hospitality sector, particularly in recent years when Covid-19 restricted indoor dining.

“In Harrogate and Knaresborough alone, we have around 16 approved street café licences and have worked with 65 businesses since the pandemic to support and introduce pavement licences alongside the former borough council.

“In all cases, the safety of those using the pavements and roads should take priority. Unfortunately, there are pavements which aren’t wide enough to facilitate outdoor seating, and we will always work with these businesses to find possible solutions.”

However, Mr Tinker insisted a small amount of space could, and should, be reserved in front of his premises for customers – just as it has been, albeit unofficially, for the the last two decades. He said without it, there was a serious danger that one of his customers could be injured by a speeding cyclist. He said: 

“Cyclists coming down this hill can really pick up speed, and having the cycle lane so close to our front door is dangerous. There’s no buffer for the customer – they’re walking straight into it. Someone could easily come out of our pub straight into the path of a speeding cyclist – it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.”

Read more:

• Otley Road cycle path could be re-routed with new traffic restrictions
• New start date for next phase of Otley Road cycle path works to be revealed
• ‘Nightmare’ and ‘flawed’: Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle path under further fire

Students planning to go to a Harrogate sixth form in September have been told they will instead be taught at another school.

Rossett School has this week told parents that pupils going into sixth form will attend classes at Harrogate Grammar School.

A letter to grammar school parents said the move was “to ensure the breadth of curriculum offer for their current Year 11 students” at Rossett.

Current sixth form students going into their second and final year at Rossett School will be unaffected, the letter said.

Harrogate Grammar School also reassured parents that it would not have an impact on class sizes. It said:

“Typically, each year one third of students in both Year 12 and Year 13 are new students to HGS, joining from a wide range of schools across the region. It is therefore entirely normal for new students to join us in our sixth form.”

It said the school had reached its sixth form capacity of 650 students during and following the covid pandemic, but was now able to accommodate the “small number” of Rossett students who would join this year.

Harrogate Grammar School offers A level and BTEC courses, as well as the extended project qualification (EPQ). Rossett School has offered a similar programme of courses and subjects.

The news comes as the two schools work increasingly closely, with Rossett expected to join the same multi-academy trust as Harrogate Grammar School from September.

Last week, it was confirmed that HGS deputy headteacher Tim Milburn will take over as head of Rossett School.

At the same time, the school is expected to join the Red Kite Learning Trust, which already has a membership of 13 schools, including three primaries and a junior school in the Harrogate district.

Read more:

• Tim Milburn appointed headteacher of Harrogate’s Rossett School
• Harrogate Grammar School awarded £50,000 to improve sixth form science

This story is sponsored by Gail’s Stitch In Time.

A Harrogate grandmother who swapped her office desk for a sewing machine says changing her career has fulfilled a long-held dream. 

Gail Byrne was head of HR for a local car dealership, but had been sewing as a hobby for decades. During the Covid lockdowns she started taking on small jobs, and then last year she finally launched her own business, Gail’s Stitch in Time. 

Working from home, she does “anything a sewing machine can do”, making dresses, cushions, curtains, and even Roman blinds, doing alterations, and using all kinds of material, from lace to leather. 

She said: 

“I just wanted a change – I didn’t want to be firing people anymore! My mum died when she was 60, and I’m now 55; I thought if I carried on in my old job I might just never to do what I really want to do. 

“I’ve been sewing as a hobby for 30 years, but I never thought I was good enough to do it as a job. But I started Stitch in Time last November and have never looked back. I’ve never been happier, both mentally and physically.” 

Gail has converted her dining room into a workroom, complete with changing room for fittings.

Gail has completely dedicated her dining room to the business, and has even turned a walk-in cupboard into a very “glitzy and bridal” changing room for clients when they come round for fittings. Recent jobs have included a hanging rail for a Campervan and a fabulous prom dress for her granddaughter. But she says she doesn’t have a favourite kind of job. She said: 

“The best bit is getting an email from a client saying that what I’ve made fits perfectly, or that it’s exactly what they wanted. There’s no feeling like it.” 

Since striking out on her own, Glasgow-born Gail has been busy backing up her experience with a sewing course which she passed with a distinction last year. Since then, she has been doing jobs for clients of all kinds, who are attracted by the quality of her work, competitive rates, and her friendly, local service. But she says she’s not in it for the money. 

She said: 

“Once I’m working, I forget what time it is. My husband even has to phone me from work to remind me to eat something for lunch! 

“There’s less stress and pressure, and I love to make people happy. Just seeing the smile on their face when they see what I’ve made makes it all worthwhile.” 

Find out more: 

If you have clothes that need altering, or would like something made to fit you perfectly, check out Gail’s website at www.gailstitch.com, email her at info@gailstitch.com, or call her to discuss your requirements on 07742 429281. 

Newby Hall near Ripon is home to its very own crown jewels.

The house, which dates back to the seventeenth century, has a full replica set of the official coronation regalia that will form part of tomorrow’s ceremony to crown King Charles III.

The Compton family which own Newby Hall has a close association with the crown jewels. A distant ancestor commissioned the official coronation regalia for Charles II after the originals were destroyed during the Civil War.

Newby Hall’s royal past 

Sir Robert Vyner was appointed goldsmith and banker to King Charles ll in 1661 when he commissioned the coronation regalia.

The Vyner name can be traced back through the family ancestry of Newby Hall.

Sir Robert’s invoice for the regalia was £12,184.7s.6d, equivalent to £1,754,496.00 today.  The invoice is on display on a wall outside Newby’s Billiard Room.

Newby’s replica set was made in the last century and includes an Imperial State Crown; St Edward’s Crown and Staff; St George’s Bracelets; Queen Consort’s Ivory Rod; Royal Sceptre with the Cross; Sovereign’s Sceptre with the Dove; Anointing Spoon; Ring; Ampulla; St George’s Spurs; King’s Orb; Sword of Mercy, and Sword of Temporal Justice.

All are on display at the house.

Richard Compton said:

“We are very much looking forward to marking the King’s coronation with our once in a lifetime afternoon tea in the magnificent setting of our award-winning herbaceous borders.

“It is so fitting that Newby has its own replica set of the coronation regalia which we are delighted to own and have on display for visitors. The regalia will take pride of place at Newby on His Majesty’s coronation weekend in May.”

Newby’s afternoon tea to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III is on Monday afternoon.

Visitors can mark the historic event by trying on the replica Saint Edwards Crown for size.

Read More: 

• Coronation events: where to celebrate across the Harrogate district
• Ripon Cathedral at the centre of coronation celebrations

Councillors across Harrogate and Knaresborough have today voted to support plans for the £11.2m Station Gateway project.

The scheme, which would see Station Parade reduced to one lane of traffic in favour of a bus lane and cycle route, received 10 votes in favour and three against.

Members of North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee heard views and evidence and debated the project for more than three hours before making their decision.

They voted on a motion to support the scheme, on condition that the council would engage further with local businesses and residents to address their concerns.

The heated meeting began with time for members of the public to address the committee.

Members of the public at the start of the meeting.

Sue Savill, owner of Party Fever, raised the issue of lack of access to businesses on the east side of Lower Station Parade. She said the scheme would remove parking spaces immediately outside the front in favour of a bus lane and cycling path, adding:

“The cost to local businesses would be devastating. It would make Harrogate less attractive to visit.”

William Woods, of Independent Harrogate, said it, Harrogate BID, Harrogate Chamber and Harrogate Residents Association opposed the plans, adding:

“You must ask yourselves, can all these businesses really be wrong?”

He said the Station Gateway project would do “absolutely nothing” to reduce queues on the main approaches to Harrogate, such as Wetherby Road.

There was raucous laughter when Judy D’Arcy-Thompson, of the Stray Defence Association, said a report supporting the plans highlighted the lack of cycling connection between the railway and bus stations, which she pointed out were just “20 paces” apart.

She said the “largely intelligent, conscientious population” was already aware of the need to protect the local environment without the scheme being needed. She concluded:

“Please do not bring down the portcullis and tear the heart out of Harrogate.”

How Station Parade will look

Just two members of the public spoke in favour of the scheme: Kevin Douglas, of Harrogate District Cycle Action, and Jemima Parker, of Zero Carbon Harrogate.

There were loud shouts from the public against them. Committee chairman Pat Marsh had to ask several times for people to be quiet to allow the speakers to be heard.

There were snorts of derision as Harrogate District Cycle Action leader Kevin Douglas told the meeting:

“To make cycling an option for all, including children, we do need dedicated cycle tracks…

“Of course this scheme does not prevent people from driving in the town centre if they choose to.”

Evidence from officers

After statements from the public, the meeting moved on to hear from councillors and officers putting forward the plans.

North Yorkshire’s executive member for highways, Cllr Keane Duncan, said the scheme was not “total and perfect” but was an “opportunity” to address the issues Harrogate was facing.

He said he was not trying to pass the buck of a controversial decision to the committee, but was willing to listen to their views and look at any concerns they raised.

Richard Binks, the council’s head of major projects and infrastructure, addressed concerns about the loss of parking spaces. With a total of 6,789 parking spaces – and around 7,500 if nearby supermarkets were included – he said the impact of losing 40 spaces across James Street and Station Parade would be minimal.

Tania Weston, programme manager of the Transforming Cities Fund, added:

“This is not just a cycling scheme – it’s about accessibility. It’s not about preventing driving, it’s giving people options.”

Economic and regeneration manager Matt Roberts told the meeting:

“Change is often daunting but in Harrogate’s case is much needed.”

Otley Road cycle route fears

After the presentations, the meeting moved to debate among the 13 councillors on the committee.

Cllr Michael Schofield, the Lib Dem representative of Harlow and St Georges, said businesses felt the consultation on the scheme was insufficient. He questioned the authority’s ability to deliver on a sustainable travel scheme, given the recent problems with the Otley Road cycle route.

“These people are really worried about their livelihoods. Why haven’t they been consulted properly and why hasn’t a business impact report been carried out with them?”

Matt Roberts said it was not usual for schemes like that to include that, but an economic impact report had been completed.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Matt Walker, of Knaresborough West, said he welcomed investment, and the council’s offers to meet with residents and businesses, but said:

“This scheme is actually an £11m vanity project. It delivers nothing more than an expensive landscaping project…

“It does not sit within a wider strategic plan. Nobody is going to visit the gateway project. People visit for thriving independent shops, along with the Valley Gardens… and others.”

However, speaking in support of the plans and addressing the public gallery, Green party Cllr Arnold Warneken of the Ouseburn division, said:

“I find it very difficult to sit here and listen to how impolite some of you have been. I feel some members of this committee might have wanted to say something but the hostile atmosphere might have prevented them.”

He said most people wanted to protect the environment and called on councillors to “have the courage” to vote for something that would do that.

The plans for James Street

Cllr Paul Haslam, the Conservative representative for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, supported the scheme. His view was that the town needed to be a welcoming place to support businesses of all kinds, in order “to retain quality people” and reduce the number of young people leaving for “more exciting” towns.

As a long-standing businessman and retailer, he said there was already a changing retail landscape thanks to the internet, exacerbated by covid. He argued Harrogate had to “create a USP to attract shoppers”, adding:

“It’s a serious planned investment in our home that will enrich the economy for years to come.”

Cllr Monika Slater (Lib Dem, Bilton Grange and New Park) welcomed officers’ and Cllr Duncan’s assurances that they were open to developing the plans and willing to speak to businesses and individuals about their concerns. She said:

“I really feel that the Otley Road cycle scheme has caused a big problem… It has taken away the public’s confidence in North Yorkshire.”

Lib Dem Cllr Hannah Gostlow, of Knaresborough East, said she supported measures to support active travel but they needed to be joined up. She said it regularly took her 45 minutes to travel from Knaresborough to Harrogate.

“We need a holistic approach to active travel in the constituency.

“We need inspiring schemes that celebrate our heritage and win the support of residents and businesses.”

She called on the area committee to drive through measures to improve active travel with support from the community.

‘Deeply divided’

Holding a leaflet handed to her by a member of the public who had earlier spoken against the scheme, Lib Dem committee chairman Pat Marsh said she was “totally against” the Station Gateway, adding:

“I actually think this alternative solution that connects into my own community and into Bilton, Knaresborough and Starbeck – why aren’t solutions like that being looked at instead of one that’s sending idling traffic up through our town?”

Cllr Peter Lacey (Lib Dem, Coppice Valley and Duchy) said the town was “deeply divided” over the plans. He said:

“This scheme is caught in a sea of disgruntlement and disappointment that I personally share.”

Cllr Lacey put forward a motion to support the scheme, with conditions which would see council officers work with residents and businesses to find the best use of the money. He added:

“This is a test of our ability to work together to deliver the best possible scheme.”

Cllr Duncan said there were time pressures to proceed with the scheme and submit a business case, but he was happy to undertake to follow the councillors’ wishes.

Three councillors – Matt Walker, Michael Schofield and Pat Marsh – voted to oppose the plans, while Cllr Arnold Warneken was ineligible to vote. The rest supported taking the plans forward.

The scheme, including any amendments, will be put before North Yorkshire Council’s executive on May 30 for a final vote.