The woman shaping the Harrogate district’s roads

Barely a day has passed in the Harrogate district this year without some sort of controversy about roads and transport schemes.

Roadworks on Skipton Road, new cycling initiatives, the Harrogate Station Gateway, low traffic neighbourhoods, a park and ride, low-traffic neighbourhoods, speed limits… the list goes on.

Everyone who uses roads seems to have an opinion on them and often they’re not very complimentary towards the highways authority, North Yorkshire County Council.

The chief flak taker is usually Don Mackenzie, the Conservative councillor for Harrogate Saltergate, who as the council’s executive member for access sets the policy. But it’s Melisa Burnham, area manager for the Harrogate district, who is effectively the head civil servant in charge of delivering it.

Ms Burnham, a former Ripon Grammar School pupil, has day-to-day oversight of 1,100 miles of road in the district. The junction improvements at Bond End in Knaresborough in 2018 is among the projects she helped complete. Does she wince when she reads some of the more brutal comments directed at Cllr Mackenzie?

“Very much so. I’ve worked with Don for a number of years and I know he has the best interests at heart.

“A person said to me in Harrogate the other day: ‘You must have thick skin because all you hear are complaints’. They can get quite personal.

“Sometimes we don’t always get it right but we do strive to deliver the best service we can.”

Ms Burnham, who studied geography at Hull University, oversees a capital budget of £7.7 million, of which £2.5 million is being spent on surface dressing 200 sites this year. Leeds Road’s four-week resurfacing cost £800,000 and involved cleaning 105 gullies.

Jayne Charlton (left) and Melisa Burnham in front of a new NY Highways vehicle

Melisa Burnham (right) and Jayne Charlton, the council’s area manager for Richmondshire and Hambleton.

She’s also in charge of gritting from October to April. There are 13 priority routes in the district, including the A59 and the A61. The A1 is Highways England‘s responsibility.

Most criticism, she says, is due to a lack of knowledge. The guy sat in the van apparently doing nothing at roadworks is probably operating the traffic lights, she says, and just because someone doesn’t see gritters doesn’t mean they aren’t operating. Highways officers hold two briefings a day in winter to decide whether to activate the fleet of 13 gritters. Ms Burnham says:

“Sometimes people just don’t have the knowledge and information. The more you can share information with them and the more you can inform people, maybe they complain less.”

There have been plenty of complaints this year about specific projects, not least the biggest one: the £10.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway. The scheme, which aims to transform town centre travel by encouraging cycling and walking and reducing traffic, has upset some businesses that fear the proposals to reduce Station Parade to one lane and pedestrianise part of James Street could damage trade.

Ms Burnham says she wasn’t surprised by the reaction and adds the council has been “listening to both sides about their concerns” and is confident of a “positive outcome for the town”.

Cycling schemes

She acknowledges the Otley Road cycle route has had a “lot of problems” due to delays caused by the exchange of Stray land, utility works and covid but is confident work will finally begin in October.

The county council secured £715,000 funding for three other cycling improvement schemes on Oatlands Drive in Harrogate, Victoria Avenue in Harrogate and the A59 Knaresborough Road but the consultation generated such fierce opposition to the Oatlands initiative from residents in the nearby Saints area that it didn’t proceed.

But change to Oatlands is still very much on the agenda. Ms Burnham says a feasibility report at the end of August will consider measures to ease congestion. She says:

“We recognised we needed to take a step back.

“The feasibility study will look at the options. Residents parking was a key issue — that has been a historic problem in the area, especially with the hospital and schools.”

The £215,000 allocated for Oatlands has been diverted to the other two schemes although it seems the funky cyclops junction mooted for the junction of Victoria Avenue and Station Parade to totally separate cyclists from traffic won’t happen. Ms Burnham says it was just one option and there “might be something similar” instead.

She seems cool on the Pannal park and ride idea, saying further details should be available in a couple of months. She insists it’s still on the table but adds “it has to work financially for the bus service too”.

Low-traffic neighbourhoods

Low-traffic neighbourhoods, which reduce motor vehicles in residential areas, have been another bugbear.

An experimental order was introduced on Harrogate’s Beech Grove in February, which closed the route to through traffic. The move took many people by surprise and some cars were driven across the Stray by motorists determined to keep using the route as a cut through between West Park and Otley Road.

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Ms Burnham says reaction was “mixed”

“There was some positive and that sometimes gets lost in the media and social media.”

The experimental order was extended from 6 months to 18 months before decision is made on whether to close the road permanently to through traffic — why? Ms Burnham says it was to allow more time to see how the initiative ties in with other schemes, such as the Otley Road and Victoria Avenue cycling projects.

She says it’s exciting to see a network of connecting cycle routes emerge in Harrogate.

But a Bilton low traffic neighbourhood, suggested this year, is off the agenda, at least until autumn next year. Ms Burnham says the council wants to assess Beech Grove before considering any other low-traffic neighbourhoods.

No more roadworks than usual

She insists that, contrary to popular belief, there are currently no more roadworks than usual.

Harrogate, she says, often has more roadworks than other parts of the county because it is an urban area, adding:

“There’s also a lot of development taking place and because of that a lot of road works need to happen.”

Ms Burnham says the council tries to stipulate that work takes place between 9.30am to 3.30pm on key routes and can insist on night works “when it’s reasonable”.

As for permits to carry out roadworks being extended, and traffic lights lasting for months, which happened on Skipton Road in Harrogate, she says:

“It’s difficult when a company comes to you and says ‘we need to do more work’. Sometimes they do find issues on site.”

Female role model

Ms Burnham, a mother of two young girls who enjoys camping and walking, is one of two women out of 11 senior officers in the highways senior management team. She lives in Northallerton.

The county council workforce is 76 per cent female but highways remains male-dominated. She says:

“Some people still have a surprised reaction when I tell them my job title. That said, we are certainly seeing a positive increase in women into the service. I now have four females in my team.”

Ms Burnham worked for Harrogate Borough Council for four years from 2005, during which she helped deliver the Nidderdale Greenway scheme.

She joined North Yorkshire County Council in 2009 and was a senior engineer in the special projects team and a lead officer in the transport and development team before moving to her current position in 2018.

More than anywhere else in North Yorkshire, the Harrogate district presents both rural and urban transport challenges. She says:

“Harrogate is just that little bit more demanding in terms of its urban nature and popularity of events.”

 

 

Harrogate school children sing for England’s success

Children from St Peter’s C of E Primary School in Harrogate are singing loud in hope of an England win on Sunday.

The Year 1s and 2s at the school have been learning to sing and sign the football anthem with teachers all week.

The ‘Three Lions’ song has become a chant for football fans across the country to sing together following the team’s continued success.

The children are keeping their fingers crossed England will bring back the trophy after Sunday evening’s final against Italy.

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St Peter's school sing football anthem

St Peter’s school children are staying hopeful for an England win this weekend.

Harrogate Town reveal ticketing arrangements for first two pre-season matches

Harrogate Town season ticket holders are to be entered into a ballot for tickets to the club’s first pre-season friendlies at home.

Tickets for Town’s games against Premier League outfit Newcastle Untied on July 18 and Championship club Rotherham United on July 21 will be balloted ahead of the games.

Both matches will be held at the EnviroVent Stadium this month and will be held in front of a limited crowd.

Announcing the ticket arrangements, the club said:

“Due to the amount of Harrogate Town seated season ticket holders exceeding the amount of seats available, all seated Harrogate Town season ticket holders as of July 9 will be entered into a ballot for a seat in the family stand, with those unsuccessful offered a seat in an alternative standing area.

“Unfortunately, for these two fixtures only, season ticket holders will not be seated in their chosen seat, each supporter successful in the ballot for a seat will be allocated their seat. Seated season ticket holders will be contacted with the result of the ballot.”

The club added that those season ticket holders not wishing to attend because they cannot sit in a seat will be given a free streaming pass in compensation.

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A limited number of standing tickets will go on sale from 12pm on Monday July 12 at the club shop on Commercial Street. Tickets will not be available online.

General sale tickets will be will be sold on a first-come first-served basis at £10 for adults, £8 concessions and £2 for under-18s.

The club added:

“The fixture will fall under the same protocols as our last home match with supporters, which includes staggered arrival and departure of supporters and a one way system in place in the stadium.”

Town are set for trips to Huddersfield, Brighouse Town and Darlington as part of their pre-season schedule.

League One club Sunderland are also set for a trip to Wetherby Road on July 24.

‘Gareth Southgate’s dog licked my bald head’

Everyone in Harrogate seems to have a story about meeting one of the town’s most famous residents, Gareth Southgate. Some are more bizarre than others.

As anticipation continued to build for England taking on Italy in the Euros 2020 final, the Stray Ferret asked readers if they had ever met the England manager.

He lives at Swinsty Reservoir and often makes his way into town, so lots of people commented with their anecdotes.

Darren Townend told the Stray Ferret about the time he met one of the manager’s pet dogs. Southgate has a cockapoo and a Labrador.

Mr Townend said:

“I was running around Swinsty Reservoir early one Sunday morning. It must have been around 2018.

“Partway through the run I stopped to tie up my shoelace and felt something lick my bald head.

“So I looked up and saw that it was Gareth Southgate with his dog. Gareth was apologising. I tried a nonchalant, non-fanboy ‘no problem’ and carried on.”

Jody Meadus also shared her story:

“I had broken three toes at work and hobbled across a petrol station on Ripon Road.

“Gareth Southgate stopped and held the door open for me. He is a true gentleman.”

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Sophie Issa will never live down the time she stopped her husband meeting Gareth Southgate. She said:

“We saw him and his family eating at Betty’s Harlow Carr before he was the England manager.

“I wouldn’t let my husband go up and ask for a photo. I didn’t want to intrude on him when he was with his family. A couple of weeks after he was announced as England’s manager.

“My husband has never let me forget I didn’t let him have a photo with the future England manager.”

Adam Cuthbert commented:

“I saw him walking down the steps of the footbridge at York station towards Platform 3 for London after getting off the Knaresborough train about six years ago.

“It was when he was doing a bit of punditry for ITV for the Champions League, just after he’d left the U23’s job.

“He casually walked past me and my family. I called out ‘Gareth’ but he pretended he hadn’t heard me. He must have been in a hurry for his train.

“Still a good memory. I bet he wouldn’t be able to walk so freely on his own in public now. Top bloke!”

Mark Madeley said:

“Gareth Southgate was at Crimple Squash Club with his kids at a Karate grading. He was a very easy-going and approachable guy.”

And Tommy Deux recalled:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Garath Southgate at a charity do once. He was surprisingly down to earth, and very funny.”

Creation of Harrogate Town Council ‘inevitable’ if reorganisation happens

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has said it is “inevitable” that a new town council will be created under plans for local government reorganisation across North Yorkshire.

Conservative councillor Richard Cooper made the statement after members of the opposition Liberal Democrat party called for commitments to ensure residents’ voices are not “lost” if the current two-tier structure of county and district councils is scrapped and replaced with unitary authorities.

Harrogate and Scarborough are the only areas in North Yorkshire currently not served by a town or parish council and a review of how services are run would be required if the Government decides to press ahead with reorganisation later this month.

Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said Harrogate would be “woefully underrepresented” if the town was not given a chance to retain control over some services such as parks, markets and sports pitches.

She said:

“We owe it to the people of Harrogate town to be able to make a strong statement that this council supports the parishing of Harrogate.

“Even with 75,000 residents’ voices, those voices would be lost in some large unitary authority. It would leave Harrogate residents adrift and very under-represented.

“We as the locally elected members for those 75,000 residents need to ensure their voices are not lost and that true devolution occurs, bringing decision-making and accountability down to the people.”

In response, councillor Cooper said he had previously offered assurances that a Harrogate Town Council would most likely be created and that a review of services would be carried at “the correct time, in the correct way and by the correct people.”

Under the reorganisation plans, the current two-tier system could be replaced with either a single authority for all of North Yorkshire or two bodies split on an east/west basis in what would mark the biggest shake-up of local government in the county since the 1970s.

The government will also decide whether the City of York should be engulfed in the east/west proposal or be left as unitary authority.

The aim of the reforms is to unlock the door to a devolution deal and save cash by streamlining services.

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Currently, North Yorkshire County Council is responsible for services including social care, education and highways, while district and borough councils look after the likes of planning, licensing and bin collections.

If approved, the reforms would see almost all services brought under the control of a unitary structure with some likely to be left in the control of a Harrogate Town Council.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Matthew Webber received the backing of all members after presenting a notice of motion which called on the borough council to “strongly recommend” the creation of a town council.

He said:

“We are facing reorganisation and the announcement is due later this month. Harrogate will not become the centre of the world, it will probably be Northallerton so the influence Harrogate has got across its district is likely to be lessened.

“What we are asking through this notice of motion is that Harrogate is given a voice.”

Harrogate Borough Council, along with Scarborough, Ryedale, Craven, Selby and Richmondshire councils, is behind the proposals to split North Yorkshire on an east/west basis, while North Yorkshire County Council has proposed a single authority for the whole county.

Each rival bids have boasted multi-million pound savings and better ways of working – and it is MP Luke Hall, minister for regional growth and local government, who will have the final say on which path to take later this month.

No plans for big screen on Stray for Euro 2020 final, says council

Council officials have said they have no plans to hold a big screen on the Stray for England’s Euro 2020 final against Italy on Sunday.

The Three Lions reached their first major tournament final in 55 years on Wednesday after beating Denmark 2-1 after extra-time in front of 60,000 fans at Wembley.

Sunday is expected to see pubs and beer gardenpacked out to watch the match against Italy which will be broadcast on both ITV and BBC.

Despite being England’s first final since winning the World Cup in 1966, Harrogate Borough Council has said it has no plans to host a big screen for the occasion.

A spokesperson for the council said:

“We have no plans to organise a big screen, or the associated social distancing measures that would be required, on the Stray this weekend.”

The council added it also had no received any applications from other parties to host a big screen.

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The Stray has been used in the past for people to watch major sporting events, such as the Wimbledon final in 2013.

Meanwhile, the government has announced that pubs will be allowed to stay open until 11.15pm on Sunday evening.

The Prime Minister’s spokesperson said the extension would allow people to watch the game in case it goes to extra time and penalties.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Leah with you this beautiful Friday morning updating you every 15 minutes on how the transport links are near you.

These blogs, 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.

Let us know if you experience any delays on 01423 27619.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me today, i will be back with you on Monday morning! Have a lovely weekend! #itscominghome

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

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Traffic is building in these areas:

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8.45am – Full Update 

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Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

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Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8.30am – Full Update 

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Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

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Traffic is building in these areas:

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8.15am – Full Update 

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Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

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Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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8am – Full Update 

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Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic Hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

Traffic is starting to build in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning but keep checking in for further updates

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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7.15am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

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7am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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6.45am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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6.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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Bogus wedding planner overshadows Harrogate couple’s dream day

A Harrogate couple who lost £2,300 after being scammed by a bogus wedding planner have said they’re pleased with the court’s sentencing.

Nicky and Jason Asquith-Thorpe didn’t get the day they imagined in July 2019 after a fake wedding planner, Dana Twidale, ran off with their money.

The pair had met and spoken to Ms Twidale on numerous occasions insisting “there were no warning signs”.

It was only when July 25 2019 arrived, two days before their wedding, that all communication stopped and the fake planner didn’t show up to help set up the venue.

Mrs Asquith-Thorpe still held out hope but after hours of waiting finally came to the conclusion that they’d been abandoned.

Mrs Asquith-Thorpe, who works in the Harrogate Hospital pharmacy, said:

“She showed me a huge album of all the weddings she’d been part of. I put all my faith in her and she said she could do everything.

“The last message she sent me was ‘on our way, running late’.”

Nicky and Jason Asquith-Thorpe 02

Determined to give them the wedding day they’d dreamed of, a friend of the couple asked ex-local radio station Stray FM to put a call out for local businesses to help.

The bride-to-be said she was “overwhelmed” by the response and was ecstatic to go ahead with the wedding on July 27.

Moving the party to a function room at the back of the Christ Church, Harrogate, and getting help from a local caterer and DJ the wedding went ahead, albeit not exactly as planned.

She added:

“All the changes to the venue and food meant there was more to pay for. We didn’t want it hanging over our heads so we worked lots of overtime to try and pay all the kind businesses back.”

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Ms Twidale, 44 and from Hull, was sentenced this week to five years after conning another 22 people out of a combined £15,000.

Hull Crown Court also heard Ms Twidale had defrauded a man she had met on Tinder out of £42,000 by lying about her mother’s death and saying she was a victim of domestic violence.

Mrs Asquith-Thorpe said she was “glad she got what she deserved” and hoped to draw a line under the whole ordeal.

‘Give Gareth Southgate the freedom of Harrogate borough’

Councillors have called for England football team manager Gareth Southgate to be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Harrogate.

Mr Southgate, who lives near Swinsty Reservoir, guided the England men’s team to their first major championships final in 55 years last night.

While there is talk nationally of a knighthood, attention has turned locally to awarding him the freedom of the borough — which is the highest honour Harrogate Borough Council can bestow.

Among those to have received the accolade, which is reserved for people who the council deem to have ‘rendered eminent services to the district’, is Jonathan Wild, the former chief executive and chair of Bettys and Taylors.

Six councillors, including the mayor, told the Stray Ferret today they would back a motion for Mr Southgate to receive the honour.

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Conservative John Ennis, who represents Harrogate Stray, said it was a “marvellous idea”, adding:

“Gareth Southgate has been a dignified figure the whole country has got behind.

“It is great that he lives in the area as well, he is a true credit to the town.”

Liberal Democrat Christine Willoughby, who represents Knaresborough Eastfield, said:

“I think if Gareth Southgate is eligible for the award then he certainly deserves the recognition.

“We could also celebrate any local Olympic sports stars and also the cyclist Mark Cavendish.”

‘He lives in my ward’

Victoria Oldham, the Conservative councillor for Washburn, said:

“While I am not entirely sure what the requirements are, I would certainly support giving Gareth Southgate the freedom of the borough.

“The fact that he lives in my ward makes it even better. His team’s performance has really put a smile on our faces.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who represents Harrogate Bilton Grange and is currently the district’s mayor, said:

“Being a football fan myself I am very much aware of Gareth’s efforts and of course he is a resident of the district.

“From a personal perspective I think it would be great if we could give him some recognition locally.”

Cllr Stuart Martin, the Conservative representative for Ripon Moorside and former mayor, said:

“I think Gareth Southgate deserves all the accolades he can get. He seems to get all the players to perform at their best.

“It is always really nice when people from the Harrogate district do well and lead the way.”

Cllr Paul Haslam, the Conservative representative for Harrogate Old Bilton, said:

“I would be very happy to support it. He could even put his sheep on the Stray if that’s what it entitles him to!”

England beat Denmark 2-1 last night to achieve a place in Sunday’s final of Euro 2020 against Italy.

Harrogate jeweller not warned about ‘terrifying’ police VIP exercise

A Harrogate jeweller has spoken of her terror when specialist officers took over her shop as part of a VIP training exercise.

Mona Norman, who owns Fogal & Barnes on Oxford Street, spotted the plain clothed officers on the street before they made their way into her shop on Tuesday morning.

She said she had no warning so feared, with one of the officers blocking the door, that she was going to be the victim of a robbery.

The Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) had planned the visit in advance but did not tell Mrs Norman.

Harrogate is often the stage for such training exercises. However, the unit should have asked for permission in advance.

A senior officer on behalf of the CDSOU has since apologised to Mrs Norman and admitted that it fell short of standards.

Mona Norman, who owns Fogal & Barnes, with her guard dog.

Mrs Norman told the Stray Ferret:

“They looked really suspicious so I kept my eye on them. All of a sudden a couple of them got into the shop. One of them was wearing a bulletproof vest and blocked the door.

“It was really intimidating. I told them I was not comfortable and asked them to leave my shop but the person who said he was a VIP was trying to keep me quiet.

“So I pushed them out, called the police and pressed my panic button. Four of them left but two of them stayed outside so I kept questioning them.

“When I told them I had called the police he said ‘okay, calm down’ and gave me a card to explain but I was still unsure so got him to produce his badge.

“I was terrified, I was petrified. That’s how they made me feel. I thought they were going to rob me. It was awful.”

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She said she lost money during the two hour long training exercise and believes that she deserves compensation from the police.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said in response:

“The Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit is one of the national delivery centres for close protection officer training, and trains officers from several police forces across the country.

“As well as classroom-based learning, the course also involves practical, real-world scenarios in public places, like shops, hotels, and restaurants, which are carefully planned and risk assessed.

“As officers are in plain-clothes, they should identify themselves as police officers if approached by a member of the public.

“We are sorry that the actions of some of the officers involved have fallen short of the high standards that are expected on the course, and we apologise for the alarm that it has caused.

“A senior officer has since spoken to the owner of the shop to apologise on behalf of the unit, and those on the course have been debriefed to identify learning opportunities for future courses.”