Transport leader expects Harrogate’s Beech Grove road closure to be made permanent

A public consultation on the controversial Beech Grove Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in Harrogate closes on Saturday.

The sudden decision to close the road to through traffic in February provoked anger, with some cars cutting across the Stray to avoid the newly-installed bollards.

North Yorkshire County Council initially said the move would be reviewed after six months but later extended the trial to 18 months until August 2022. But the consultation ends this weekend.

Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret the intervention had successfully freed up road space for cyclists and pedestrians and there was a good chance of it becoming permanent.

Beech Grove will link up with the upcoming Otley Road cycle route, work on which is due to begin on September 6.

Cllr Mackenzie said:

“Its been successful. There’s been views in both directions but most residents have accepted it as a positive.

“I see it continuing after 18 months. It’s a part of town where we are making changes to sustainable travel. I can see the Low Traffic Neighbourhood remaining in place formally.”

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Kevin Douglas, of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said early teething problems, such as motorists driving on the Stray, had been overcome and the scheme was now working well.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“We think it’s been a good thing. It’s working well.

“The problem is they haven’t done the Otley Road cycle route yet.

“We need to keep the Low Traffic Neighbourhood. It’s a key link into town.

“There’s been a noticeable number of cyclists and pedestrians using it. That’s a good reason to keep it and it will only improve.”

‘Just pushes traffic elsewhere’

The Conservative government has set aside funding for active travel schemes that aim to reduce car usage. Over the past couple of years, many other Low Traffic Neighbourhood have cropped up across the country.

Harrogate resident Anna McIntee, co-founder of the group Harrogate Residents Association, launched a petition calling on North Yorkshire County Council to scrap the scheme. It has over 400 signatures.

She told the Stray Ferret she believed all the scheme had achieved was to push traffic elsewhere in the town.

She said:

“The general feedback from speaking to residents is that access is a lot harder for them, especially the elderly who rely on their vehicles but also delivery vehicles and emergency services.

“The traffic has been pushed onto Victoria Road which is narrower and double parked, which is dangerous, as well as the surrounding roads, two of which have schools. This is causing more standing traffic and congestion leading to an increase CO2 emissions.

“There is no denying Harrogate is congested and we all need to work together to reduce our carbon emissions by easing congestion but blocking off random roads isn’t necessarily the solution.”

If you have a view about the Beech Grove and would like to contribute to the consultation, email North Yorkshire County Council here: area6.boroughbridge@northyorks.gov.uk

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, I hope you’re good this morning. It is Leah here with you today. The roads have been a little quieter this week in terms of traffic but numerous roadworks are adding time to people’s journeys.

This blog, brought to you by the HACS Group, brings you live travel updates until 9am.

Please give me a call on 01423 276197 or join our Facebook group ‘Harrogate district traffic and travel’ to give any updates.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me this morning, I will be back with you on Monday morning with regular updates from 06.30. Have a lovely weekend.

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7:45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7:30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7:15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

 

Watchdog report: Just one NHS dentist per 10,000 people in Harrogate district

A health watchdog has laid bare the shocking lack of provision of NHS dentists in the Harrogate district in a new report published today.

NHS Dentistry in North Yorkshire: A Review of Public Feedback 2020-2021 found there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the district.

The report, published by Healthwatch North Yorkshire, also revealed that no Harrogate district dental practices were currently taking on new patients.

With so few dentists and so many patients, the report said many patients faced either long waits or high bills through private treatment.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire also highlighted how confusing it can be for someone attempting to find an NHS dentist.

In most areas across the county there are dentists listed on the NHS Choices website which do not actually provide an NHS service.

Volunteers from Healthwatch North Yorkshire called all of the practices listed on the NHS website in the county to ask if they were taking on new patients.

Three of the 19 in the Harrogate district said they were not NHS practices.

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This means there are 16 NHS dentist practices in the Harrogate district for an estimated 160,500 people. None are taking on new patients.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire received 176 calls from the public in the last year about NHS dentists. The vast majority — 84% — were negative.

Some of the complaints from Harrogate residents:

Anonymous email, December 2020, Harrogate:

“I needed an emergency filling at the beginning of the first lockdown. I was offered a temporary DIY kit which worked for all of two days.

“Weeks go by. I finally got my appointment, only to find that they still can’t fix it because they can’t use all equipment without the correct PPE.

“God knows how many months later and I’ve still only got a temporary fix.”

Anonymous website feedback, April 2021, Harrogate:

“I have been trying to obtain an NHS dentist for my 10-year-old daughter, myself and my husband.

“One dentist in Knaresborough said they could add us to a list that had a three year wait for an appointment.

“Another told me that the only way that my daughter could be seen would be if myself and my husband took a private place at a cost of £75 for an initial consultation each.

“This is disgraceful and holding people ransom for their children to be able to access basic dental treatment.”

Anonymous telephone call, April 2021, Harrogate:

“Caller rang about their partner. They have a hole in their tooth. Rang 111 to arrange an emergency appointment because of the pain – it took a week and a half to get an appointment.

“The dentist charged £90, and gave antibiotics. Told them to come back two days later for further treatment, bill to be £1,600.

“I tried finding NHS dentists elsewhere, none anywhere. Partner can’t pay that as they have been unemployed for the past six months.”

What can be done to fix the problem?

Ashley Green, chief executive of Healthwatch North Yorkshire, said:

“The lack of access to and availability of NHS dentists has severely affected the health and wellbeing of people across North Yorkshire, from Scarborough to Selby, from Craven to Harrogate.

“The impact of coronavirus has only acted to exemplify a dental system already under enormous strain and challenge.

“We feel it is now time to act – and to use upcoming changes to NHS and social care reforms, specifically the emergence of integrated care systems to fuel this change.

“We hear on a weekly basis the struggles of people and families unable to be seen by an NHS dentist, but also the desire by NHS dentists to see and treat their patients more effectively.”

More bus lanes needed to boost Harrogate public transport, says council

More bus lanes and a smart ticketing system are some of the suggestions being put forward by Harrogate Borough Council to boost use of public transport.

The council’s overview and scrutiny commission will meet on Monday to discuss the ideas, which also include more frequent services in rural areas and more electric buses as part of a bid to reduce car travel.

The ideas will form part of a multi-million pound bid for government cash, which is being prepared by North Yorkshire County Council – the area’s public transport authority.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, said he believes bus services in Harrogate are among “the best in the country” but he added there was still room for improvement.

He said: 

“Where we face challenges is in our rural areas where passenger numbers have not been sufficient enough to allow bus operators to run a commercially-viable service. That is why the county council has had to step in.

“Currently, we subsidise bus services to the tune of £1.5 million a year and we are committed to keeping that figure in place for years to come.

“We also provide 127,000 bus passes to the elderly and disabled, as well as their carers, and that costs us around £7 million a year.

“But with inflation the £1.5 million buys less and less each year so we are looking at other options.

“I welcome the fact that this issue has gone to the overview and scrutiny commission – I would like to hear their views.”

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Under the government’s new bus strategy, £3 billion is to be made available to make buses across the country cheaper and easier to use.

It is hoped these targets will be met through so-called enhanced partnerships, where councils agree to infrastructure improvements in return for better services from bus companies.

The county council agreed to this in June and is now drawing up proposals through a Bus Service Improvement Plan which will be published by the end of October.

Smart ticketing

In a report to Monday’s meeting, David Stannard, strategic transport planner at Harrogate Borough Council, said the authority would like to see the introduction of a smart ticketing system where passes can be used on different modes of transport.

He said: 

“Simple and easy fare systems should be encouraged across operators and integration with other transport modes needs to be considered.

“In the Harrogate district context, this could include linking bus travel with the existing car club and rail services as well as active mode provision.”

Another suggestion was more bus lanes, which Mr Stannard said would “improve journey times and reliability – making buses more attractive than the private car”.

There is also strong support for a Harrogate park and ride scheme, which county council officials are currently looking into. There are two potential sites for this: land near Pannal Golf Club and another site near Buttersyke Bar roundabout south of the village.

£20 million bid

It comes as the county council has submitted an expression of interest bid to the government to make all of Harrogate Bus Company’s fleet zero-emissions.

If successful, the £20 million bid will fund 39 new buses and other infrastructure works.

The county council is also currently piloting its on-demand bus service, YorBus, which allows app users to book and track services on-demand in the Ripon, Bedale and Masham areas.

Since its launch in July, 726 journeys have been completed with an average customer rating of 4.9 out of 5.

Cllr Mackenzie said:

“We are delighted with the success of YorBus in the short time it has been running – the statistics speak for themselves. It has been very well-received and enhances our existing public transport network.”

New pop-up shop offers small businesses chance to trade in Harrogate

Harrogate businesses are being given the opportunity to rent a new pop-up town centre shop for £400 a week.

Property consultants Barker Proudlove have teamed up with The Victoria Centre in Harrogate for the new venture.

Businesses can rent the space for between one and six weeks and the £400 weekly cost includes rent, business rates, water, electricity and furniture.

The rentable pop-up space is in the former phone shop on Cambridge Street on the outside of The Victoria Centre, opposite Cafe Nero.

It gives businesses the chance to showcase their products and find new customers alongside household brands without incurring high long-term fixed costs.

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James White, centre manager at The Victoria Centre, said

“The pop-up shop provides an opportunity for small businesses to showcase their brands, ideas and test the market place on Cambridge Street.

“It offers a short-term commitment which makes trying new business ideas more attractive.”

Barker Proudlove said the site would be suitable for anyone from florists to bakers and artists.

Jess Swain, from Barker Proudlove, said:

“Harrogate has always been a town that we feel has an incredible support system for small businesses.

“Small businesses bring something incredibly exciting to the typical high street and it is great to see many online-based businesses move into a physical space, even if it is for a short period of time.”

The two organisations hope the space, which will be available in September, will attract a stream of independent businesses.

Police say missing girl, 14, may be in Harrogate

Police searching for a missing Halifax teenager have said she might be in Harrogate.

Officers are asking for the public’s help to trace Monika Molnar, 14, who was last seen leaving her home on Monday at about 8.40pm.

Police describe her disappearance as out of character.

A West Yorkshire Police statement today said:

“Extensive enquiries have been made since Monika was reported missing and she is known to have links to the North Yorkshire area and Harrogate in particular.

“It is believed she may have travelled to that area.”

Monika was last seen wearing black trousers and trainers and a cream coat. She was carrying a large dark blue rucksack.

Detective Inspector Simon Archer, of Calderdale District Safeguarding, said:

“It is now been nearly three days since Monika went missing and we are becoming increasingly concerned for her.

“I want to appeal directly to Monika or anyone who sees her or who has information about her to get in contact.”

If you have any information about Monika contact Calderdale CID via 101.

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End of an era: Harrogate working men’s club folds after 108 years

A Harrogate working men’s club has closed after more than 100 years.

The National Reserve Club, on East Parade near the town centre, formally dissolved with the Financial Conduct Authority at the end of July, according to recently published documents.

According to the FCA, the organisation had been registered as a working men’s club since July 11, 1913, when it was known as the Harrogate Battalion National Reserve of the West Riding of York Club.

However, a formal resolution was passed by members in October last year to dissolve the club.

The special resolution said:

“It is with a heavy heart I inform all members that the proposal to dissolve the club was a 93% unanimous decision in favour of the committee’s recommendation from October 1, 2020.”

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The club, which had 28 members at the time of closing, donated its remaining cash to charity.

Although the closure of the National Reserve Club represents the end of an era, the district is still served by working men’s clubs.

Clubs are registered with the Club and Institute Union, which represents more than 1,600 societies across the country.

According to the CIU website, nine clubs are affiliated with the union in the Harrogate district.

In Harrogate itself, punters can find clubs in Oatlands, Starbeck, High Harrogate and Bilton.

The town also has the Londesborough Club on Bower Road and Harrogate Traders Hall on Westmoreland Street.

Knaresborough has two social clubs and Boroughbridge also has its own members’ club.

Meanwhile, Ripon has a Conservative club and Pateley Bridge has its own club on the High Street but these two are not affiliated with the CIU.

Look for an in-depth history of working men’s clubs in Harrogate written by historian Malcolm Neesam this weekend on the Stray Ferret .

Council drops Harrogate Christmas Market organisers after row

Harrogate Borough Council has dropped the organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market after a row over the location.

Council leader Richard Cooper described the volunteers who created and built up the event as the “former Christmas market organisers” in a statement released today.

He added the council was now having formal discussions with a new organisation about running the market.

A total of 170 traders and 53 coaches had booked to attend this year’s event on Montpellier Hill from November 18 to 21. Some 85,000 people were expected to attend and contribute about £2.5 million to the district’s economy. It is now unclear what will happen to those bookings or indeed the event.

Today’s news comes just two weeks after the council refused a licence for the Christmas market — it said the emergency services had raised safety concerns about the location on Montpellier Hill.

The Stray Ferret has asked the council several times without success to see the advice it received from the emergency services.

Cllr Cooper, who has previously warned Mr Dunsby not to try to galvanise public support for his cause, said people were now bored of the row and it was time to move on. But he said the council was prepared to meet the organisers to explore alternative locations.

However, Brian Dunsby, one of three co-organisers of the market, said he has offered several times to meet the council to discuss concerns.

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Today’s statements in full

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council:

“It’s time to move on. The he-said-she-said Punch and Judy show between the council and the former Christmas market organisers, about the feasibility of Montpellier Hill, isn’t getting us any further forward and the public are bored of it.

“What is important is that Harrogate hosts a safe, vibrant and attractive Christmas market bring more people into our town to shop in our fantastic independents stores, sample our amazing cafés and restaurants and set cash registers ringing.

“So we are moving the conversation on to focus only on that goal now. Fortunately, a number of event organisers have been in touch, with one in-particular showing great enthusiasm to bring their business and expertise to Harrogate town centre this Christmas. And why wouldn’t they with all that we have to offer?

“From today we are formalising that discussion.

“We are also keeping the invitation open to the former organisers to explore alternative locations and discuss those with us, for the betterment of town centre trade. And put the previous disagreements behind us all.”

Brian Dunsby, co-organiser of Harrogate Christmas Market:

“We have offered to meet the senior council officer Alison Wilson to discuss potential other locations – provided that if none is found suitable then we need to address the real reasons for refusing a licence to hold the event as usual on Montpellier Hill and St Mary’s Walk. We believe they are not valid reasons for refusal of a licence.

“Unfortunately the council leader and chief executive are not even prepared to meet us to discuss face to face the issues that they have raised which we believe we have resolved safely! So we are sending them another detailed response to the issues raised by Alison Wilson.

“Shortly we shall send another rebuttal of the issues alleged to have been raised by the emergency services.

“We have asked each of the Yorkshire fire and rescue, ambulance and police services for a meeting to clarify their concerns which we feel are all previously resolved.”

Skipton Road bridge replacement could lead to long-term Harrogate travel delays

North Yorkshire County Council is planning to replace a busy road and foot bridge on Skipton Road in Harrogate.

The plans for Oakbeck bridge, near the Ripon Road and Skipton Road roundabout, are still subject to planning approval.

But if the council approves its plans then work could start as soon as October and cause significant travel disruption, with overnight road closures and temporary traffic lights possible.

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The road is heavily used by traffic, especially by people visiting Aldi, B&Q and Pets at Home on the Oak Beck retail park.

It is unclear at this stage how much the works will cost or how long they will take. However, a county council post on a roadworks website has the works listed until June 30, 2022.

The county council is currently carrying out a consultation with local representatives and experts.

John Smith, the council’s bridges and design services manager, said:

“We are planning to carry out essential maintenance at Oakbeck Bridge, Skipton Road.

“Subject to a planning decision, which is expected in September, work on the project could start in October.

“Statutory consultees are invited to comment as a normal part of the planning process.

“The bridge requires essential maintenance and the footbridge is in a poor condition and will be removed and replaced with footpaths over the bridge.”

Plans to convert Harrogate church hall into townhouses

Plans have been submitted to convert a hall that is part of a Grade II listed church in Harrogate into townhouses.

Inglehurst Property has applied to Harrogate Borough Council to create two three-bedroom properties for older people in the hall of Trinity Methodist Church, on Trinity Road, near the Stray.

Under the proposals, a new slate roof would be added to the building as well as an extra floor to accommodate the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Planning documents say the methodist church closed the hall several years ago to raise funds to repair the adjoining church, which opened in 1879.

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The hall was sold to the First Church of Christ Scientist, which used it for services until membership dwindled.

Last year, Harrogate’s Muslim community identified the hall as a site for the district’s first mosque but this does not appear to have progressed.