Call for public to engage with Harrogate Station Gateway plans

Residents are being urged to engage with a consultation to help shape the future of Harrogate town centre.

The Station Gateway project could see funding of £7.8m spent transforming the bus and rail interchange and the public space around them.

Proposals also include reducing Station Parade to just one lane for cars, allowing more space for cycling lanes, to encourage more people to use public transport or to walk or cycle.

The plans have been put forward by North Yorkshire County and Harrogate Borough Councils, in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Craven and Selby district councils, as part of a £31m grant awarded through the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF). As well as the Harrogate proposals, the project includes changes for Selby and Skipton’s stations.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

“Improving the gateways to these towns will not only make them more attractive, but will also provide infrastructure for sustainable travel. We have looked at barriers to people accessing public transport, cycling and walking and devised schemes to address these.

“I hope people will have their say through the consultation and take advantage of the online events to learn more and to ask questions.”

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Public events are being held online for residents to hear more about the plans and to ask questions about them. The Harrogate events take place on Wednesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 10, both at 6pm.

The consultation runs until Wednesday, March 24, and anyone planning to take part is encouraged to engage with one of the online sessions beforehand. To find out more, click here.

Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:

“Through the Harrogate Congestion Study, it was clear the community wanted to see improvements to walking, cycling and public transport prioritised. The TCF project is the first step to delivering this and I’m pleased that the hard work and determination of council officers has paid off, and helped secure around £8million for the Harrogate bid.”

The authorities involved have promised that public feedback will be used to help shape the next stage of the plans.

They have already come under fire from business groups, including Harrogate BID, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Independent Harrogate, who said they money could be better spent improving other areas such as Cambridge Street. However, the TCF can only be used for projects relating to transport.

Retailers on Albert Row, which runs along Station Parade, have also raised concerns about how the proposals will affect the area nearest their businesses, saying they could not fairly comment without more information.

What’s your view of the Station Gateway proposal? Email letters@thestrayferret.co.uk with your thoughts and we may include it on our letters page, Stray Views, published each Sunday.

Coronavirus case rates drop but Harrogate records another death

Harrogate District Hospital has recorded another coronavirus death but the case rates have dropped even further in the Harrogate district.

The latest death, which happened on Wednesday but was reported today, takes the hospital to 159 coronavirus deaths.

A further 18 people tested positive for the virus in the Harrogate district today. The total number of cases in the district is now up to 7,280.

Cases in the Harrogate district have remained around the 20 mark for much of the last month and even lower in the last week.

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Those dropping numbers of cases has meant that the district’s seven-day case rate is now at 75 per 100,000 people.

That is below the England average of 102 per 100,000 but just above the North Yorkshire average of 72 per 100,000.

It comes as Knaresborough’s vaccine centre opened today. Depending on supply, it can give out 1,200 jabs in a day.

Prime Minister thanks Christmas Eve Jingle Harrogate family in letter

The Prime Minister has thanked the Harrogate family behind the global Christmas Eve Jingle in a letter.

Boris Johnson had promised to join in but he was too busy with Brexit to step out on the doorstep of Number 10 Downing Street.

So he has penned a letter to the Mary Beggs-Reid’s son Dexter to show his support. It reads:

“Dear Dexter, I am writing to thank you and your wonderful family for starting the Christmas Eve Jingle campaign.

“This heart-warming campaign gave us all a way to come together at a time when we were unable to do so in person. It captured the true meaning of Christmas and gave a sense of hope to so many.

“I would like to thank your marvellous mother Mary for her fantastic efforts to keep spirits up and make sure nobody was lonely over Christmas. I hope you are all keeping well and that you are looking forward to going back to school soon. I am sure all of your friends and teachers at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Harrogate are very proud of you.”

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Mary Beggs-Reid, the founder of the Christmas Eve Jingle, told the Stray Ferret that it was exciting to receive the letter out of the blue:

“Mr Johnson was busy on the day with Brexit but it was really nice of him to write this letter for us. Dexter hasn’t seen it yet but I am sure he will be very proud.

“The Christmas Eve Jingle went very well and we still have a lot of people in our Facebook group. It would have been mean to close it down when so many connect there.

“It may be a little early now but we are already thinking about the next Christmas Eve Jingle. There’s real demand for it to come back.

“And who knows? If it goes well this December it could then become a yearly tradition. It could be a positive way to mark 2020.”

Hampsthwaite cafe a ‘hidden gem’ for walkers and cyclists

A Hampsthwaite cafe set on the edge of Nidderdale, where the owner takes pride in making all of the food from scratch, is a hidden gem for walkers and cyclists.

Ten years ago this week Sophie Jacob, flanked by her husband Steve and three teenagers took on a derilict building in the picturesque village with a lot of ambition.

Alot has changed since then. On a sunny weekend like this, in normal times, Sophie’s Coffee Shop is buzzing with lots of people passing through the village.

Sophie had only ever cooked and baked for friends and family before the cafe started. While it may take a lot of time in the day, she was determined to make all the food fresh.

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She has so much pride in her food that she once dreamed of earning a Michelin Star. It may not be something Sophie is still chasing but she is still open to the possibility.

Over the years Sophie has expanded the menu, released a cook book, built a pizza oven in the back garden, taken on the village shop and a holiday cottage.

Sophie, on the cafe’s ten year anniversary, told the Stray Ferret:

“We always bake a lot in the morning. Sometimes we get so busy that we start to run out but I can always make some more.

“There is nothing more rewarding than baking. It may not always go to plan but when it’s fresh from the oven, they love it and that’s just fab. That keeps me going.

“I have always liked baking, I feel lucky to have found it. My mum always used to tell me that I should be doing something with it, she inspired me.

“When we first opened she used to come here to work every morning. She would go home absolutely shattered but she loved it. I love it too.”

Sophie’s Coffee Shop is currently serving takeaway drinks, cakes and pizza on the weekends but she is looking forward to the day when she can reopen fully, hopefully in May.

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series. We are trying to highlight small independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

Harrogate Christmas Market set to go ahead this year

Plans are being made to ensure Harrogate Christmas Market can return to the town centre in 2021.

The market, which first took place in 2012, had to be cancelled last year as changing covid restrictions made it impossible for organisers to plan a safe event without risk of last-minute cancellation.

However, following the government’s ‘road map’ out of lockdown which could see all restrictions lifted in June, the committee of organisers is preparing to meet for the first time to put firm plans in place for this year.

Organiser Brian Dunsby said:

“The aim is to review the market plans and agree changes needed – depending on the precautions required during November – if any!

“In the meantime we hope to start inviting applications from our established market traders based on the same layout and prices that were agreed for 2020 before it got cancelled.”

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The market has been held at the bottom of Montpellier Hill in Harrogate since it was founded. After growing rapidly, for the last few years it has reached what organisers say is capacity, with around 200 traders and a focus on Yorkshire produce and products.

In previous year, the market has drawn crowds of up to 60,000 people across its four days. As well as their own traders, organisers say one of the key aims of the market is to drive footfall into the town centre to support local businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

This year’s event will be held from Thursday, November 18 to Sunday, November 21.

It is the latest event in the Harrogate calendar to confirm plans to proceed this year. This week, Harrogate International Festivals announced its crime writing festival would open in July, while Birstwith Show is also planning to go ahead.

Major Harrogate roadworks begin next week

A major programme of road repairs is set to cause delays in Harrogate from next week.

The closures will allow roads to be patched up ahead of surface dressing later in the year.

North Yorkshire County Council has separated the road repairs into three phases.

The first phase covers the Old Barber area in Bilton, the second will be in the area surrounding Franklin Road and the third will be on Leeds Road.

The county council has so far only released details of the first phase, which is scheduled to take place during the first two weeks of March:

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A spokesperson for the county council told the Stray Ferret:

“Please note the road closures above, but for access please consult with the staff on site who will be managing the access points, but it is recommended you find alternative parking during the period of the works.

“Advance warning signs are in place ahead of the start of these works.

“Details of phase two and three will be revealed in due course but if there any changes to dates or duration of road closures we will update the public.”

Theakston’s Crime Writing Festival will return to Harrogate in July

The Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival will take place this year in person, after being forced online in 2020.

The festival is one of the most popular events on Harrogate International Festivals‘ calendar and organisers are confident it will be able to happen after the government said all covid restrictions could be lifted from June 21.

This year’s edition is set to take place from July 22-25 at the Old Swan Hotel.

It will celebrate all forms of crime fiction, with a programme curated by programming chair Ian Rankin alongside the festival committee and the Harrogate International Festivals team.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“We are adapting and evolving our plans to be able to deliver a safe and agile festival in line with the government regulations at the time, with additional safety measures where necessary, whilst also ensuring the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival retains the iconic feel that has ensured its place as the most successful crime writing festival in the world.

“We remain optimistic about the year ahead and, like people across the UK, we are very much looking forward to the return of live events.”

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Festival-goers can expect a range of live author talks, panels and special guests, as well as some hybrid events to ensure that audiences who are unable to travel can access the festival.

Over 80% of early ticket bookers for the 2020 festival have already transferred their tickets to 2021.

The full author line-up, and news on when tickets are on sale, will be announced in the coming months.

Menwith Hill to expand with new ‘golf ball’

Harrogate Borough Council has granted the Ministry of Defence planning permission to build a new 30-metre high radome and electrical substation at RAF Menwith Hill.

It follows an application last year from the MoD to build three more radomes at the site, which was also passed.

There are now over 30 distinctive radomes, or “golf balls”, at the secretive site. The radomes are believed to house satellites and transmitters.

Washburn Parish Council said it was concerned by the expansion, as well as the detrimental visual impact created by the new radome.

However, it said it “recognises the important security roll” that Menwith Hill plays.

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In granting the application, council case officer Mike Parkes said the national security benefits of the radome outweighed its “harmful effects” on the Nidderdale landscape.

Built in the 1950s on the edge of Nidderdale, Menwith Hill is the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base.

Since 2000, protestors have taken part in a weekly demonstration outside Menwith Hill, which has been halted due to lockdown.

Sarah Swift, from the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign group, said:

“We find the expansion of the site and of the base’s operations very worrying indeed.

“We believe that the activities of the base do not enhance the security of our area, our country or our world.”

New Beech Grove sign to stop cars driving on Stray

A ‘no motor vehicles’ sign has gone up on the Stray to stop drivers using the land to avoid the new road closure on Beech Grove in Harrogate.

Harrogate Borough Council granted a request by North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, to put up the sign even though it is on Stray land.

Beech Grove closed to through traffic last week but some motorists have been mounting the kerb to avoid the newly-installed planters.

The decision to allow the sign has angered the Stray Defence Association, which was set up in 1933 to prevent building and encroachment on the Stray,

The Harrogate Stray Act 1985 says it is unlawful to erect items on the Stray without the permission of Harrogate Borough Council, which is the protector of the 200 acres of land.

Judy D’Arcy Thompson, chair of the association, said it could pave the way for more signs, which would harm the Stray’s appearance. She said:

“It might seem like a quick fix solution but if they put one sign up they might put up others.

“In any case, people could still drive round it.”

Ms D’Arcy Thompson said North Yorkshire County Council, which has closed Beech Grove to through traffic for six months on an experimental order, had made a mistake by not consulting adequately on the proposal. She said:

“They rushed into this without consulting local people and are now adding to the problem by including Stray land.”

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

“We consulted on these measures in line with statutory legislation and guidelines.

“Consultation was initially undertaken with emergency services representatives, local members and other statutory bodies in December with no concerns raised.

“During engagement with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the need for designated emergency standby parking to aid ambulance responses in the town was identified and provided as part of the scheme on the nearby Trinity Road.”

Ms Burnham added the six-month experimental order allowed residents and road users to take part in the ongoing live consultation that is being held in conjunction with the road closure measures. She said:

“We will consider all feedback received during the consultation period.”

A Harrogate Borough Council report that recommended approving the sign on the Stray, which was approved on Friday, said:

“The proposal seeks to enhance the experience of people using the Stray for public access and recreation therefore the officer recommendation is that under the Harrogate Stray Act 1985 the proposed schemes for the road safety signs be approved.”

Row breaks out on first day of ‘Station Gateway’ consultation

A row appears to have broken out between businesses and the two local councils on the first day of the Harrogate Station Gateway consultation.

North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council secured £7.8 million for the project in ring-fenced funding.

Plans include pedestrianising James Street, building cycle lanes on Station Parade and improving cycling facilities in the town centre.

However, business owners on Prince Albert Row have questioned how their stretch on Station Parade comes into the proposals, which they say are vague.

Prince Albert Row is the name the businesses have given themselves along this short stretch of Station Parade.

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A spokesman on behalf of Rigby & Peller, Helen James and Woods of Harrogate said:

“We are being asked for our views, but until we know what is actually being proposed for the entire length of Station Parade, including Prince Albert Row, we can’t make a reasoned judgement.

“The plans are incredibly vague. We’re not sure if the parking bays outside our businesses will stay or go, and we don’t know if this section of road will remain as two lanes or be reduced to a single carriageway.

“And to add insult to injury, the ‘Zone Two’ survey only covers Station Square and James Street. Those who designed this questionnaire need to go back to the drawing board and include this section.

“Our livelihoods are dependent on ease of access. Our businesses occupy Listed building in a Conservation Area, and we have regular need for deliveries, from flowers to furniture and heavy linens to kitchen appliances, fittings, televisions and hi-fis. Loading and unloading takes places throughout the day.

“Our customers also rely on the parking spaces outside our shops, and if they disappear, I’m afraid our customers may well go the same way.”

“A vibrant town centre is what we all want, one that is welcoming and accessible for all. And as more than 70 per cent of visitors to Harrogate arrive by car, we mustn’t turn our back on them.”

It comes after Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate BID and Independent Harrogate questioned if the money could be better spent elsewhere.

The groups suggested East Parade and Cambridge Street as places they feel the money would be better spent.

However, Harrogate Borough Council has said the funding can only be spent improving the bus and train station area only and has to be focussed on transport-related activity.