Live: Harrogate traffic and travel

Good morning and happy Tuesday. It’s Leah with you this morning giving you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near you.

The blog, brought to you by the HACS group, will show you where the traffic hotspots and temporary traffic lights are and tell you of any train and bus delays.

Have a great day.

9am – Full Update

That is it from me this morning, Connor will be back with you tomorrow with updates every 15 minutes from 6.30am. Have a lovely day!

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8.30am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

8.15am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.45am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.30am – Full Update

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Traffic is building here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7.15am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

6.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

6.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but make sure to keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

Harrogate council ‘demonstrated unreasonable behaviour’ over Starbucks rejection, says inspector

Harrogate Borough Council “demonstrated unreasonable behaviour” in rejecting a Starbucks drive-thru on Wetherby Road, according to a government planning inspector.

Helen Hockenhull, who oversaw an appeal by developer Euro Garages in June, approved the development for the former 1st Dental Surgery site on Friday.

She also awarded full costs for the hearing against the council.

The council turned down the development back in 2019 on air quality and highways grounds, but later withdrew its objection.

The move forced residents fighting the proposal to defend the authority’s reasons for refusal at the hearing.

Read more:

In a decision notice, Ms Hockenhull said:

“The council have not provided any evidence to support their position. 

“The reasons for refusal in relation to highways and air quality amount to persistence in objections in respect of matters which an inspector has already found to be acceptable. 

“I accept that members would have local knowledge of the area and the junction and many members would have personal experience of traffic issues in this location. However, it was unreasonable to persist with such objections, particularly as the floor area of the proposal had been significantly reduced.

“Given the above, I find that the council has demonstrated unreasonable behaviour which has resulted in the applicant incurring unnecessary cost in the appeal process. A full award of costs is justified.”

In response the inspector’s comments, a council spokesman said:

“Officer recommendation of approval was carefully considered against a wide range of issues, including local and national planning policy, case law, consultation responses and anything else considered to be ‘material’ to the application.

“This recommendation was overturned by the planning committee and permission was refused, which led to a successful appeal by the applicant.

“An agreement on costs has not yet been reached.”

The proposed layout of the Starbucks site on Wetherby Road as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council. Picture: Euro Garages.

The proposed layout of the Starbucks site on Wetherby Road, as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council. Picture: Euro Garages.

A spokesperson for Euro Garages said:

“We are delighted to have received planning permission and we are very pleased with the inspector’s decision.

“This development will help to create up to 20 local jobs for the area.”

‘Angry’ and ‘astounded’

The move to approve the development came despite concerns from local residents over traffic and air quality.

Residents at the appeal warned that the road was already at “breaking point” and that such a development would adversely affect those living next door.

Ms Hockenhull said she recognised her findings would be “disappointing” to local people, but added that she was “not persuaded that the development would cause significant harm”.

Cllr Pat Marsh, who represents the area on the borough council, said she was left “anrgy” and “astounded” following the decision.

She said:

“Many people throughout Harrogate will be outraged by this. It is not an appropriate place to put a drive-thru.

“I cannot understand how they have come to this decision. I felt all our arguments had great strength to them.

“The residents could not have done better to put forward their arguments.”

‘I’ve missed this so much’: Delight as Starbeck Baths finally reopens

There was an emotional return for visitors and staff at Starbeck Baths today, as it finally reopened following the easing of covid restrictions.

The pool, which was built in 1870, had been closed since December 2020 despite the government allowing pools to reopen on April 12.

Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the site, said the delay was due to staffing problems as well as social distancing restrictions.

The Stray Ferret visited this afternoon and spoke to staff as well as local resident Jean Padgett, who has been a regular swimmer at Starbeck Baths for over 40 years.

She described the baths as “small, warm, and ideal”, adding:

“I have missed this so much. I live locally, so if they close this it’s like signing my death warrant. My fitness has dropped over the last 18 months.”

There were murmurings in Starbeck that Harrogate Borough Council would never reopen the pool.

Ms Padgett added:

“I’d be devastated if it was closed.”

Read more:

Sarah Bowyer, who has worked at the baths for 26 years, described today as “emotional”.

She said the morning session was well attended and she was expecting to see more familiar faces in the coming days and weeks.

She added:

“We’ve had lots of phone calls from regulars.”

The baths are used not only for exercise but also for socialising too. Ms Bowyer said it was a lifeline for many residents in Starbeck, particularly older people who live on their own.

Jenny Paish worked at the baths for 30 years before recently retiring. She was helping out today and agreed it was a vital part of the community.

She said:

“It’s like a big family, it’s been massively missed.”

Baby steps for Harrogate bars on Freedom Day

The sight of queues at the bar were nowhere to be seen at lunchtime in Harrogate today, despite the lifting of all remaining social distancing restrictions.

Drinkers have got used to table service over the past 12 months and it appears many pubs in the town centre have opted to keep the measure.

I took a walk around the town this afternoon to gauge the feeling as Harrogate experienced Freedom Day.

The atmosphere seemed to be one of caution, rather than cramming to get to the bar.

It felt as though many bar owners had one eye on the soaring covid rate, which is now almost at its highest ever.

Read more:

In Wetherspoons, punters were allowed to go up to the bar but they also had the option to stay in their seat to order via a QR code.

However, screens are in place between tables to protect customers and hand sanitiser remains at the entrance, along with a queuing system.

Wetherspoons in Harrogate, which still had a queueing system outside and hand sanitiser on hand this afternoon.

Wetherspoons in Harrogate, which still had a queueing system outside and hand sanitiser on hand this afternoon.

The keeping of table service and hand sanitiser was replicated across bars in town.

North Bar on Cheltenham Parade, has gone one step further by encouraging customers on its Facebook page to wear masks while moving around the bar.

Similarly, bar staff are on hand at Threes’ A Crowd, West Park, to serve customers where they sit — though they are still welcome to order at the bar.

The feeling among some pubs owners in the town centre is probably best summed up by the Disappearing Chin, on Beulah Street.

On Sunday, the bar took down its screen which had covered the length of the bar since last year.

However, despite taking the decision to remove it as restrictions were lifted, a post on its Facebook said:

“It’s been so tough with all the restrictions and unfortunately it doesn’t feel good that they’re finally being lifted. 

“We’re excited to get back to normal but we’re not pushing it.”

Frustration grows over diving board closures at Harrogate’s Hydro

The parent of a diver who uses The Hydro has expressed frustration that two diving boards have been out of action for over six months, forcing members of a local club to travel to West Yorkshire to train.

Olympic divers such as Jack Laugher trained at the Harrogate Borough Council-owned pool but aspiring athletes have been unable to use the boards since November last year.

The pool, which caters for high board and springboard divers, reopened on April 12 but diving remains affected after the council found cracks in the concrete that supports the boards during a routine inspection.

Neil Blackburn told the Stray Ferret that his 11-year-old daughter is part of the Dive Harrogate club that trained twice a week at the pool pre-covid restrictions.

He said divers have been forced to train in Shipley, near Bradford, and believes there is “little appetite” to get the Hydro diving boards fixed. He estimates the cost of repairs could be a quarter of a million pounds.

Mr Blackburn said:

“The club are really good at keeping us informed and they have full backing of Swim England, but it does appear there is little appetite to get the concrete towers repaired from either the Hydro or the council any time soon.

“As always this appears to be about funding and it’s starting to become a worry that they may not bother at all. The estimate for the repair is £250k. For a club which has produced divers who are currently in Tokyo for the Olympics this seems a real shame.”

Read more:

A council spokesman said:

“Unfortunately, during a routine inspection of the diving board platform at The Hydro in Harrogate, cracks in the concrete were discovered.

“A further independent survey was carried out to establish the stability, integrity and durability of the diving structure.

“Results show that the diving platform should not be used until work has been carried out.

“We are exploring possible options and will have an update in due course.”

James Street planters in Harrogate could be gone today

The planters on James Street in Harrogate and the cones in Knaresborough are to be removed imminently as part of today’s lifting of lockdown restrictions.

However, the Ginnel in Harrogate is to remain closed to traffic for an unspecified period of time to support outdoor hospitality.

The planters and cones were introduced last year as social distancing measures for town centre shoppers.

However, they have proved unpopular with some businesses, which say the loss of parking spaces has affected trade.

Traders opposed to the cones in Knaresborough.

Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, said:

“It is our intention to remove all the social distancing measures and parking suspensions next week.

“I cannot confirm that it will happen on Monday since there may be some clearance work needed on the highways after the Great Yorkshire Show, which closed on Friday evening, but I do hope it may all be completed on Monday.

“The closure of the Ginnel in Harrogate is the only social distancing measure likely to remain in place.”

Read more:

Asked why the narrow street would stay closed to traffic when the government is lifting all social distancing measures tomorrow, Cllr Mackenzie said:

“The Ginnel is a very narrow, little-used street where closure will remain a little longer to support outdoor hospitality.”

Lucy Gardiner, co-founder of Harrogate Residents Association, said it was “extremely pleased” to hear the planters were going. She added:

“After months of writing to the councillors and expressing the many concerns from the retailers and residents it is absolutely the right thing for them to do, to actually show they are listening.

“Convenience is an integral part to the high street, which was highlighted by Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association in his recent presentation to the chamber of commerce.

“There is still demand for traditional shopping methods and Harrogate needs to lead the way for the high street — not became like every other pedestrianised place.”

Stray Views: Why my friends won’t be returning to drunken Harrogate

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. See below for details on how to contribute.

Why my friends won’t be returning to Harrogate

Friends from Ilkley and Harpenden in Hertfordshire visited Harrogate today. They were totally horrified by the anti-social behaviour of the drunks by the war memorial on their way to Bettys and the art galleries in Montpellier and beyond.

They will not be back in a hurry and will undoubtedly tell all their friends that Harrogate is incapable of keeping the down-and-outs away from our major tourist attractions and that Harrogate is no longer the “nice” town of its historic reputation.

Should Harrogate care? These friends are wealthy retired folk with money to spend who were intending to visit the Sutcliffe Galleries, the Walker Galleries and the lovely new Watermark Gallery.Can I ask in total desperation, what will it take for our increasingly woke and insular council and its placid police force to understand the damage that is being done to the image, attractiveness and financial well-being of our town from their inability to deal with this very simple-to-solve problem and urge them to prevent a potentially irreversible reputation decline for our lovely town?

Tim Emmott, Harrogate

Station Gateway: economic concerns need addressing

Independent Harrogate, which represents more than 180 businesses. supports the proposed ‘Station Gateway‘ in general but we do have some serious concerns that it might have a negative impact on the local economy.

The scheme fails to address the need for park and ride schemes, a large number of electric car charging points and extensive safe cycling routes away from traffic that link with low-traffic neighbourhoods, therefore reducing congestion and in turn reducing carbon emissions.

And, to prevent congestion and an increase in carbon emissions, Station Parade must retain its two lanes, with enhanced cycling facilities reserved for East Parade.

We support James Street remaining fully open whilst supporting the narrowing at its junction with Station Parade to aid pedestrians crossing the road.

We urge North Yorkshire County Council to meet groups to discuss the finer details of the proposals.

William Woods, Independent Harrogate

Why is Kex Gill work taking so long?

Given that it is now more than two years since the Kex Gill route was finalised and finance was put in place, it is staggering that North Yorkshire County Council is now warning the scheme could be delayed because it hasn’t bothered to secure the land, in precisely the same way no one thought to consult the Duchy of Lancaster regarding the much-delayed Otley Road cycle path. Do they never learn?

David Howarth, Harrogate

Read more:

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.

 

Harrogate person burns arm after barbecue fire spreads to fence

A Harrogate person went to hospital with a burnt arm yesterday when a barbecue got out of control.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were called to Stone Rings Lane, Rossett Green, at about 5.30pm, as temperatures soared close to 30 degrees centigrade.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, flames spread from the barbecue on to nearby hedging and fencing.

Its incident log adds:

“Crews extinguished the fire, with the occupant attending hospital with an arm burn as a precaution.”

Two hours later last night, Knaresborough and Harrogate firefighters responded to calls saying there was a small fire by the side of the A1 northbound near Knaresborough.

However, the incident log says that when they arrived they did not find a fire.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 27 degrees this afternoon and remain high all week.

Read more:

 

Newcastle to send under-23 team to Harrogate tomorrow after covid outbreak

Newcastle United are to bring an under-23 team to Harrogate tomorrow rather than a first team squad due to covid.

The Premier League side announced the news this afternoon after goalkeeper Karl Darlow tested positive.

Although every other player and staff member within Newcastle’s first team group has returned negative tests, fellow goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and Freddie Woodman have gone into isolation for 10 days after being identified as close contacts.

Consequently Newcastle will send a first team to York tomorrow and an under-23 team to Harrogate to minimise mixing between the groups.

Magpies manager Steve Bruce said:

“I have spoken to Simon Weaver, who was very understanding, and I would like to apologise to any Harrogate supporters who have bought tickets thinking first team players were coming.

“Ultimately, we have to follow the advice from medical professionals and take proactive steps to protect players and we simply can’t mix up the dressing rooms, which was our initial plan.”

The first ever match between Harrogate and the six-times FA Cup winners was the pick of Town’s pre-season friendlies.

Kick off is at 2pm tomorrow  at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road.

Read more:

 

Harrogate’s grab-a-jab centre eager for more people to come down

The one-day Harrogate grab-a-jab centre opened to a steady stream of local residents this morning but doctors say they have the capacity to do more.

Around 100 covid vaccines were delivered this morning at the centre but with a capacity to give 500 doctors have called on residents to come get the covid vaccine.

Based at the Wesley Centre, the appointment-free service will be available until 4pm today.

It is offering first and second doses of Pfizer. To be eligible for a second dose, it needs to have been at least eight weeks since your first jab.

It was a slow start this morning but picked up again round lunchtime. The volunteers told the Stray Ferret their main target is 18 to 30-year-olds who may have been putting it off.

Convenience seemed to be the main reason many chose to come to the Wesley Centre today. Talking to the Stray Ferret, a number of people said it was easier than waiting for somewhere further away.

Also, with the so-called ‘Freedom Day’ arriving on Monday others said they wanted to get it done before then.

Read more:

Dr Waheed was pregnant when her colleagues were first offered the jab so wanted to get her’s as soon as she could:

“It was convenience for me and they were really good in there, it was really easy. With kids I’m super busy and I didn’t want to have to drive miles away and this was just super convenient. Now I can just go home and knowing the first one is done.”

Sam Polinsey, 20, said he came to grab-a-jab today because it was so easy:

“I just want to be able to go out and do things again, I’m the last one in my friendship group. It was really quick and easy. gave them my date of birth and then got it done.”