Urgent meeting to tackle Harrogate district’s soaring covid rate

Public health officials are to hold an urgent press conference tomorrow to discuss soaring coronavirus rates in the Harrogate district.

The district’s seven-day rate is currently 723 per 100,000 population, which is far higher than the current England average of 436.

North Yorkshire County Council will host the virtual meeting tomorrow from 10.30am until 11am, when health officials will brief the media on the situation.

Richard Webb, the corporate director for health and adult services at the council, has urged people in the Harrogate district to think about hygiene. He said:

“Harrogate currently has amongst the highest levels of coronavirus in England. Please keep safe.

“And yes, wash your hands. Wear your face mask to protect others. Think about space and ventilation.”

Read more:

Covid case rates in the Harrogate district have been rising since mid September, when the rate was 372.

However, although the number of cases has risen sharply the number of coronavirus patients at Harrogate District Hospital has not risen in the same manner.

As of last Thursday, the hospital was treating 14 covid patients – well below last winter’s peak of 67.

No further details of tomorrow’s meeting have been made available.

Harrogate family opens luxury Swiss appliance studio in UK first

A Harrogate family has pioneered the launch of a luxury kitchen appliance brand from Switzerland in the UK with the opening of a new showroom in town.

V-ZUG Harrogate, which is based at Grosvenor Buildings near the entrance to Valley Gardens, opened its doors for the first time today.

Dale Adams and his sons Hayden and Ryan, who are behind the concept, hope to spread the word about V-ZUG, which is well-known in some European countries but less so in the UK.

The new showroom has opened.

Some V-ZUG appliances, such as a clothes cleaning cabinet, can go for as much as £15,000. But some of the hobs are priced closer to the £800 mark.

The new Harrogate showroom has been kitted out with appliances from the excellence line, which also includes steam ovens, coffee centres and wine coolers.

Read more:

Ahead of the launch, Dale Adams told the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate has been chosen for the UK launch, not because people have money here but because people will travel here.

“We are speaking to people already who have no problem coming to Harrogate. They will make a weekend of it to enjoy the town’s history and beauty.

“This is for people who are seriously interested in cooking. There are lots of those people about now, cooking at home has become a big thing.”

VZUG is a luxury brand.

His son and business partner Hayden added:

“The level of technology allows someone with basic cooking skills to produce really great results without too much effort.

“So we would like to think that this would allow someone who is just interested in cooking evolve into a bit more of a chef.

“With these ovens you can put in a joint of beef and tell the appliance what time you need it ready and it will utilise the steam, oven and grill for the perfect result.”

Find the showroom at Grosvenor Buildings.

New designs of Harrogate town centre after £10.9m project revealed

James Street will be partly pedestrianised and Station Parade reduced to single lane traffic in updated designs published today for the £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway project.

The ambitious scheme aims to encourage cycling and walking and make the town centre more attractive. It has led to concerns from businesses about loss of parking and slower traffic, which could deter shoppers.

Today’s proposals, which are based on previous consultation feedback, say full pedestrianisation of James Street received the strongest public support but this had “the potential to significantly delay the delivery of the scheme”, which could jeopardise funding.

“As such, full pedestrianisation is not considered viable at this time.

“We have therefore decided to progress with a part-time pedestrianisation proposal which restricts vehicle access to ‘loading only’ and at limited times.”

It means non-delivery traffic will be prohibited from Princes Square to Station Parade on James Street at all times.

Today’s proposals say the potential to make all of James Street fully pedestrianised in future “would remain an option”.

How the roundabout near the Odeon would look.

Station Parade reduced to single lane

Plans to make Station Parade single lane and create a cycle lane will go ahead as intended.

Improvements to Station Square and the One Arch underpass will be taken forward and the Victoria Monument will remain in its current location after the initial consultation generated a “mixed response” to the idea of relocating it.

Read more:

Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret a lot of people instinctively didn’t like change but the scheme would make Harrogate town centre a more pleasant place for people to visit using all forms of transport.

He said the advice he’d received suggested peak afternoon travel time on the southbound A61 would be extended by just 53 seconds if the northern section of Station Parade is reduced to single lane.

Cllr Mackenzie said:

“I believe that small increase in travel time is well worth other improvements that will make the gateway area to Harrogate far more attractive.”

Station Gateway design

An artists’s impression of how the junction of Station Parade and James Street will look.

What is the Station Gateway scheme?

Today marks the start of the latest round of consultation on the the Harrogate scheme, which is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in the pipeline for Harrogate, Skipton and Selby.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

The schemes are being funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to “transform gateways to towns and cities across the region by making it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport”.

Online events will take place from 6pm until 7pm on October 21 and October 28 for the Harrogate scheme.

Members of the project team will be available to discuss the initiative at the Victoria Shopping Centre on October, 29 October and November 5. A business-only meeting is scheduled for November 1.

Following this consultation, which ends on November 12, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes.

It is anticipated that work will begin by mid-2022 and be completed by March 2023.

A video showing the proposed changes is available here.

You can take part in the online consultation here.

 

 

Harrogate hospital rebrands vehicles in organ donation campaign

Harrogate and District Foundation Trust has rebranded some vehicles with messages that encourage people to talk about donating their organs.

The trust began the campaign following a recent change in the law around organ donation.

Since May last year, all adults are now considered to have agreed to donate their organs when they die, unless they record a decision not to do so, are in one of the excluded groups, or have told their family that they don’t want to.

However, relatives are still consulted before organ donation and the trust believes opportunities to donate are being missed because families aren’t sure what to do.

The campaign therefore aims to get people talking about the subject and leave relatives certain of their wishes.

Dr Sarah Marsh, clinical lead for organ donation at the trust, said:

“Knowing what your relative wanted, helps families support their decision around organ donation at what is often a difficult time.

“We need more people to talk with their loved ones about organ donation to give them the certainty they need to support their organ donation decision. We hope seeing our organ donation branded vehicles will encourage people to have this conversation.

“Your loved ones will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead. Please don’t wait. Speak to your family about organ donation and let them know your decision today.”

To register your decision about organ donation click here.

Read more:

 

What caused Harrogate’s huge gas leak?

Northern Gas Networks has yet to reveal what caused a huge gas leak in Harrogate that left 3,000 homes without supplies for two days.

The company, which distributes gas, opened an emergency hub at Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields on Saturday to help people without hot water or cooking facilities.

It gave away thousands of electric heaters and hot plates and distributed £10 meal vouchers.

The company’s rapid response earned praise from locals but it has yet to say what caused Friday’s leak, which could be smelt for miles around.

John Richardson, director of customer operations at Northern Gas Networks, said:

“We will be carrying out a full investigation into the cause of the escape in Ripon Road, and it is not possible to comment further at this time.

“Our priority right now is to get the remaining properties reconnected to the gas.”

Read more:

Temporary lights have been in places near the Hydro on Ripon Road since September 9. The work was scheduled for four weeks so it had already overrun before Friday’s incident.

People were evacuated from the Hydro on Friday.

Asked what the works were for, why they were delayed and when it would finish, a Northern Gas Networks spokeswoman said:

“This is essential gas mains replacement works to modernise the gas network.

“The scope of works changed after the project began, which extended the duration of the work.

“We’ll advise on a completion date as soon as possible, but traffic management is likely to be in place for another couple of weeks.”

Live: Harrogate District Traffic and Travel

Good morning and welcome back to a new week. It’s Leah with you this morning on the traffic and travel desk to help with your commute.

There are a few road closures and temporary lights in place across the district, make sure you check our lists in case you need to leave a few minutes earlier.

Give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media if you spot anything on the roads or are waiting for a delayed bus or train.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

The A1 Southbound is closed between junction 50 and 51 due to a serious collision earlier today.

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Traffic Hotpots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

The A1 Southbound is closed between junction 50 and 51 due to a serious collision earlier today.

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Traffic Hotpots:

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

8am – Full Update 

The A1 Southbound is closed between junction 50 and 51 due to a serious collision earlier today.

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

7.30am – Full Update 

The A1 Southbound is closed between junction 50 and 51 due to a serious collision earlier today.

Roads

The roads are starting to look busier this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Traffic is building here:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

7am – Full Update 

The A1 Southbound is closed between junction 50 and 51 due to a serious collision earlier today.

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

6.30am – Full Update 

The A1 Southbound is closed between junction 50 and 51 due to a serious collision earlier today.

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

 

Harrogate College holds free taster sessions for adults

Harrogate College is to host free taster sessions for adults in November.

Dubbed the “Have a Go Fortnight”, the sessions will be held as part of a Festival of Learning.

Run between November 1 and 12, the events aim to inspire adults to take up learning and get a  taste of the college’s curriculum areas.

The sessions come as Luminate Education Group, which runs the college, was given £17 million from West Yorkshire Combined Authority to improve adult skills.

Read more:

The taster events at the college will include hairdressing, still life drawing, soundscapes film and animation, ceramics and print and computer software interior designs. 

Danny Wild, principal at Harrogate College, which is on Hornbeam Park, said: 

“Adult education has been one of the hardest hit sectors following the pandemic. Therefore, we’re committed to working with adults in our community to provide life-changing opportunities through quality education, which is tailored to meet the needs of our local employers.

“Over two weeks, we’re inviting adults aged 19 and over to come into college to discover our range of diverse subjects as part of an employer-led curriculum. Our nurturing and inclusive environment will allow adults to find their spark by learning something new, enhancing employability and improving wellbeing.”

To find out more about the sessions, visit the Harrogate College website.

Harrogate Starbucks: no agreement on appeal costs

No agreement has been reached over the appeal costs for a new Starbucks drive-thru on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road.

Euro Garages, the developer behind the coffee shop, took Harrogate Borough Council to appeal over its decision to refuse the proposal.

The government’s Planning Inspector approved the development in July and also awarded costs against the council.

Euro Garages said the authority “demonstrated unreasonable behaviour” when refusing the application.

Read more:

However, a spokesperson for the council said an agreement had yet to be reached over appeal costs.

In May, council bosses decided not to challenge the appeal over concerns that losing risked legal costs of over £50,000.

Work on the drive-thru has since started and diggers have moved in to demolish the former dental surgery which will make way for the Starbucks.

When complete, there will be a coffee shop with 19 car parking spaces close to the Woodlands junction on the busy road.

Emergency hub closes as gas returns to 3,000 Harrogate homes

Gas is starting to be restored to 3,000 Harrogate homes affected after a pipe was damaged on Friday afternoon.

The leak, which is believed to have occurred on Ripon Road, left many homes, especially in Jennyfields, without heating and cooking facilities.

The Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields has operated as an emergency hub, providing free electric heaters and hot plates as well as food vouchers.

Email your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

You can catch up with yesterday’s developments here.

4.55pm – Resident celebrates with three baths

There was striking good humour and community spirit at the emergency hub in Jennyfields today as people queued for electric heaters and food vouchers, and that spirit is continuing.

On my third bath.

— SeanoStar (@SeanoSays) October 17, 2021

Northern Gas Networks have earned praise for its swift emergency response. But question remain about what caused the leak – no reason has been given yet.

4.15pm – Emergency hub closes as gas returns

Northern Gas Networks has closed its emergency hub at the Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields.

In a 4pm update, the company said the restoration of gas supplies was “going well” and that food vouchers would still be valid until 7pm tonight.

It said:

“The restoration of gas supplies in Harrogate is going well and we have now closed our customer support centre in Gateley Drive.

“However, the hot food vans will remain on site there until 7pm to honour any outstanding food vouchers which have not yet been redeemed.

“Northern Gas Networks engineers are still on site supporting people in switching on their gas and will be visiting everyone to make sure they are safely reconnected to the supply.  Please bear with us as we continue this important work. We will get to everyone.

“Everyone in the affected areas should now have received their letter outlining the correct procedure (detailed below) for switching their own gas supply back on safely. If you need help with this, please contact our Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 followed by option 3.”

3.45pm – Hydro ‘back to normal’ tomorrow

Gas has been restored to the Hydro but it will take some time to get the pool back to temperature.

We’ll be back open as normal tomorrow morning.

Thanks for bearing with us! https://t.co/pEzhFj1h4V

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) October 17, 2021

 

2.55pm – Jennyfield residents report gas returning

People in Jennyfield have started saying on social media that their gas is working again – almost 48 hours after the major leak occurred.

It comes shortly after Northern Gas Networks issued an update saying engineers have “restored the gas pressure in the mains network in Harrogate and are ready to start switching people’s gas back on”.

The company added:

“This could take a little time as we need to visit everyone but you can start using gas again straight away by following the step-by-step instructions below. These explain how to safely turn your own gas supply back on yourself.

“Our engineers are on site and will be carrying out door-to-door checks to make sure everyone’s gas supply is back to normal.

“You will also receive a letter containing these instructions. If you need help − contact us on 0800 040 7766 followed by option 3.

Further information is here.

2.50pm – Council ‘hopeful’ Hydro will open tomorrow.

Harrogate Borough Council has just tweeted an update about the Hydro.

The Hydro will remain closed for today but we're hoping it'll be fully open from tomorrow.

We also expect Little Explorers nursery to open as usual tomorrow.

— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) October 17, 2021

2.35pm – ‘We’ve just put a few extra jumpers on!’ – Jennyfields residents react calmly to gas loss

Jennyfield residents seemed phlegmatic about the situation when the Stray Ferret visited today.

Emma Nicholson, who lives on Hartwith Drive, said her gas went off at about 3pm on Friday and she hadn’t had any gas or hot water since.

“We’ve been very lucky. The weather has been quite nice and the response at the community centre has been good. We’ve just put a few extra jumpers on!”

Maurice Doe, who lives in Bramham Drive, was similarly relaxed.

He said it had been “slightly chilly” at home but cooking rather than cold was the main problem.

“It’s been a little bit awkward, but these things happen and it’s good that Northern gas Networks have responded as they have. “

About 2,000 electric heaters and hot plates have been handed out this weekend but Mr Doe said he didn’t take one.

“If I get cold I just put my dressing gown on.”

2.10pm – Chip shop says thanks

The Wharfe fish and chip shop on Skipton Road, which took part in the food voucher scheme yesterday, has said thank you on Facebook to staff and customers after last night’s mammoth turnout.
Hundreds of customers flocked to the shop, some of whom waited 90 minutes to be served due to the huge demand.
“We would love to say a massive thank you to its hard working staff today after yesterday’s amazing effort.
“10 hours on their feet flat out all day but still serving with a smile and just wanting to help out in this time of need.
“Also a big thank you to the customers for being patient and understanding of the wait.”
Remember, only Grill Time and the Nippy Chippy next to the Styan Community Centre emergency hub are participating in the free £10 food voucher today.

1.40pm – Gas supplies ‘starting to be restored’

Northern Gas Networks has just tweeted to say it has started restoring gas. Let us know if yours is back yet. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

We are starting to restore gas supplies in #harrogate. Our engineers will visit very house in person but here are some simple safety guidelines for people to switch their own gas on themselves sooner, plus details of how to contact us https://t.co/YEIIvRbohQ @HBCPrepared

— NorthernGasNetworks (@NGNgas) October 17, 2021

 

12.25pm – Hydro to remain closed all day

Gas supplies in #Harrogate have started to return but the Hydro will remain closed for the time being while we restore heat to the pool.

We’ll have a further update shortly.

Thanks for bearing with us. https://t.co/ZTZN0KDC45

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) October 17, 2021

12.02pm – Emergency hub at Styan Community Centre busy

The Stray Ferret visited the Styan Community Centre about half an hour ago. Fan heaters are still being distributed and food is still available from the Co-Op.

There are also £10 food vouchers for two food vans next to the community centre: Grill Time and the Nippy Chippy.

Northern Gas Networks staff said they hope gas will return later today.  You can watch our interview with Tim Harwood, programme manager director at the company, here.

Styan Centre gas leak

Styan Centre gas leak

10.56am – Northern Gas Networks ‘getting ready to start restoring supplies’

The company that distributes gas has just tweeted…

We have repaired the gas pipe in #harrogate and are getting ready to start restoring supplies. Advice, support and hot food is available from our customer support centre. A reminder of what to do https://t.co/62Y1U4MZ1U @HBCprepared

— NorthernGasNetworks (@NGNgas) October 17, 2021

10.20am – Gas could return this morning — but residents need to act

In its first update today, Northern Gas Networks has said “engineers are preparing the network so they can start work to begin to restore supplies this morning”.

But it adds those affected must complete the safety checks outlined last night.

Details of what you need to do, and the streets affected, are here.

10.15am – Free showers at Rossett Sports Centre

Rossett Sports Centre on Pannal Ash Road is offering free hot showers to anyone affected by the gas leak.

No need to call in advance or book. Just turn up before it closes at 6pm today. The postcode is HG2 9JP. The number 6 bus stops outside.

10am – Food vouchers go down a storm

Last night’s food vouchers appear to have been a big hit, judging by the queues. People waited outside in the cold for 90 minutes at The Wharf fish and chip shop on Skipton Lane and there was also a roaring trade at Freddie’s on Grantley Drive, next to Styan Community Centre, when the Stray Ferret drove by early evening.

Pizza Parada on Station Parade in Harrogate was also accepting vouchers until midnight.

9.15am – Styan Community Centre reopens as emergency hub

The council-owned building on Grantley Drive, Jennyfields provided free electric heaters and hot plates yesterday, as well as food vounchers. It was due to re-open this morning.

Thanks #harrogate and to all the volunteers for your patience and help today. We're working through the night and our customer centre will re-open at 8am. Food vouchers can still be used at Pizza Parada in Station Parade which is open until about midnight https://t.co/DNpKC5Bg6l

— NorthernGasNetworks (@NGNgas) October 16, 2021

There was praise for yesterday’s emergency response by reader Gemma Bradley, who emailed us to say:

“I just wanted to say that the staff at Jennyfields community centre are fantastic. In the midst of frustrated pensioners’ worries about cats and holidaying neighbours, the team are still smiling and helping as many people as quickly as possible.
“The supply of electric heaters and food items has been set up quickly and confirmation of engineers coming to houses to ensure the gas supply is safe, once supplies return is reassuring.”

8.58am – Hydro closed this morning

Harrogate Borough Council has said the Hydro will be closed until at least midday.

The Hydro in #Harrogate will remain closed until midday tomorrow at the earliest due to the on-going gas issue in the local area… ⬇️ https://t.co/OS7RbPjD8I

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) October 16, 2021

Read more:

 

Stray Views: Swearing at ‘odd’ people sets a disturbing example

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. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Swearing at someone for being odd sets a worrying trend

The local MP for Selby and Ainsty, Nigel Adams, was recently filmed telling a peaceful protester who asked him a question as he was passing by, to “f*** off” because he did not wish to talk to him. This was because, as he put it, he was an “odd bloke with a top hat on chasing me down the street” and because he was “annoying”.

Subsequently, that has been applauded as “straight talking”. So I guess because our local MP (now also promoted to a place in the Cabinet Office as Minister without Portfolio) has just shown the way, that now gives permission for anyone to tell anyone to “F*** off” just because they seem “odd” to them.

For instance, a wheelchair user may seem “odd” to them or a woman may seem “odd” to them; or someone with a different skin colour may seem “odd” to them.

And if just seeming odd is enough to allow someone to swear at them, why stop there?

If this is the level of leadership the people who lead the county and country now feel they can demonstrate, we should be careful what we wish for – and be very afraid.

Friedy Luther, Spofforth

Read more:

New Park roundabout ‘an accident waiting to happen’

Re the proposed new Tesco, it must be stressed that the existing New Park roundabout is an accident waiting to happen with increased traffic flow.

There is a blind spot for traffic approaching from the town centre because of the flats built on the right concealing the approach of traffic from Knaresborough.  Also the outside lane allows traffic to either cross straight ahead towards Ripon in the path of traffic in the inside lane or to turn right up the hill towards Knaresborough.

Gillian Long, Harrogate

Why doesn’t covid hotspot Harrogate have a vaccination site?

In light of Harrogate’s extremely high rate of covid infections, why hasn’t the town got a permanent walk-in testing centre / vaccination centre rather than sending the population out of area to achieve any service at all?

Mike Hodgson, Harrogate

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.