‘Significant hurdles’ could delay moves to evict Ashville College travellers

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has warned that attempts to remove travellers from Harrogate’s Ashville College face “significant hurdles”.

Travellers parked at the fee-paying school’s rugby pitch on Tuesday evening and remain on site. A spokesman for the college said the travellers had indicated they were prepared to leave immediately if they received £5,000.

Now the school has said it may have to delay the start of the autumn term on September 8 if the travellers do not leave because of safeguarding concerns. The college has already had to relocate outdoor summer sports activities to indoors.

But any prospect of a swift resolution to the matter seems remote.

A spokesman for Ashville College told the Stray Ferret police officers said they were powerless to take action when staff got in touch because it is a civil rather than criminal matter.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police about the incident but has not received a response.

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Harrogate Borough Council has said it is willing to give advice to the college but is also powerless to act because the encampment is on private land.

Mr Allott, whose job is to hold the police to account, told us police and local authorities were in a tricky spot when it came to travellers. He said:

“I know how frustrating it can be for residents who feel helpless when travellers arrive in their community, and how frustrating it can be for the police and local authorities who want to help but face significant hurdles doing so.

“The issue is that trespass is a civil offence and not a criminal offence. So if the encampment is on private land such as Ashville College, it is the landowner’s responsibility unless there are other crimes being committed.”

New law could speed up evictions

The situation may change if the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, becomes law.

The bill proposes making “residing in a vehicle on land without permission” a specific offence.

It will also give the police power to seize vehicles and speed up the eviction process for councils and private landowners.

Mr Allott, whose home town of Knaresborough has also recently been visited by travellers, added:

“Although the instigator of the initial complaint will still mostly be the local authority or landowner, it will mean that things will happen much faster and that they can also use the police for enforcement purposes instead of bailiffs.

“Frankly, these measures can’t come soon enough for many here in North Yorkshire and I continue to urge the Home Secretary to get these powers written into law as soon as possible.

“We must support residents, schools and sports clubs – who often suffer the most from the impact of these illegal camps.

“These changes would, I hope, also be welcomed by the vast majority of travellers who get an unfair and negative image despite the majority abiding by the law.”

Yorkshire Water’s grim outlook for Fewston Reservoir in 50 years

Yorkshire Water has released a mock up of what Fewston Reservoir could look like in 50 years after the effects of climate change.

Rather than a reservoir filled to the brim with water popular with walkers, the image shows how the Washburn Valley could dry up and resemble a desert.

It comes as Yorkshire Water predicts that it will have 100 million fewer litres in its daily supply by 2045.

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To try and tackle the issue, the water company is currently trialling new technology to find leaks more quickly and reduce the water lost by 50% by 2050.

Yorkshire Water continues to ask customers to do their bit by turning off the tap when brushing teeth, opting for a shower instead of a bath and using a watering can instead of a hose.

Fewston Reservoir pictured from the same place in May 2020.

Martin Christmas, yorkshire environment manager for the Environment Agency, said:

“What we do with water and how much we use directly impacts people and the environment, including many of the places we care most about – our rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

“We need to be careful with our water supply. With the weather we experience in the UK it’s easy to think there’s enough to go round.

“But when you factor in the effects of climate change and population growth, there is a very real risk of water shortages by 2050.

“Every individual can make a difference; changing some of our daily habits can play a critical role in protecting our water resources.”

Suzanne Dunn, water resources strategy manager at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We can already see and feel the impacts of climate change all around us.

“Seeing what our reservoirs and environment could look like in 50 years’ time might be surprising and scary to some people, but the important thing to note is that it’s not too late for us to change that future.

“We’re making headway on our leakage reduction plans, and together with our water-savvy customers, it could really make a difference to the future of water resources.”

Harrogate Town appoints Sarah Barry as chief executive

Harrogate Town has appointed Sarah Barry to the newly created position of chief executive.

The club, which has won its first three matches in League Two this season, announced the appointment today.

Chairman Irving Weaver said Ms Barry, who was managing director of former local radio station Stray FM, had a “wealth of experience and business acumen in leading a team”.

He added:

“It is an exciting time as fans return to football and with Harrogate Town’s first full season with fans in League Two and I am delighted that Sarah is going to join us in a new role as chief executive officer.”

Harrogate-born Ms Barry began her career in advertising sales after leaving university and joined Stray FM in 1994.

She said:

“I have always known there was something very special about this club, its people and spirit. From the start, I felt aligned with what it represents so this move feels very natural for me.

“I’m passionate about my hometown and nothing can bring people together like football can, which I also love, so I am incredibly excited to be joining.

Ms Barry will take up her role on September 13.

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Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Connor with you today on this cloudy Thursday morning. I’m here to help you have a smooth journey in the Harrogate district.

Any delays? New roadworks? Let me know by calling me on 01423 276197 or commenting on social media.

Let’s help everyone have a better journey by letting me know so I can add it to the blog, brought to you by the HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. Hopefully you found the service helpful. We really do appreciate when people send us any reports, it makes a big difference for other drivers. I am heading over to the news desk now but Leah will be back with you tomorrow morning.

Roads

The roads are quieter with schools on holiday but there are a few areas to look out for this morning. As well as the road closures and temporary lights, our traffic system is showing congestion on Wetherby Road.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are quieter with schools on holiday but there are a few areas to look out for this morning. As well as the road closures and temporary lights, our traffic system is showing congestion on Wetherby Road, Skipton Road and A59 High Street in Starbeck.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are quieter with schools on holiday but there are a few areas to look out for this morning. As well as the road closures and temporary lights, our traffic system is showing congestion on Skipton Road, Harrogate Road near North Rigton and Wetherby Road.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning with schools still away for the summer holiday. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

You shall go to the Harrogate panto!

Harrogate’s pantomime will be back this year — and the chief executive of Harrogate Theatre hopes crowds will return in number this festive season.

The theatre’s annual pantomime is a local institution, attracting hundreds of people each day ready to scream, “It’s behind you!”.

In just three months the roof work should be complete, new carpets fitted and a cast of actors will be ready to take to the stage on the opening night of Cinderella.

The panto will run from November 24 to January 16 and theatre chief executive David Bown said ticket sales were going well. He hopes to fill as many of the 500 seats as possible each day.

Local people will be pleased to hear panto favourite Tim Stedman will be returning this year along with three other principals and two understudies.

But after a difficult 18 months, Mr Bown is nervous restrictions could change again:

“I’m concerned that there will be reluctance to come back, people may not want to come out in winter. It’s a huge cash cow for us that if that doesn’t deliver it jeopardises lots of other things.

“This theatre has a magic atmosphere so I can’t wait to have an audience in here again.”

Harrogate roof renovation

The 120-year-old venue is currently undergoing a roof replacement.

A major £1 million roof restoration is ongoing but Mr Bown has been assured the builders are on track for a completion date in November.

The theatre will also be applying for the new government-backed insurance scheme to use as a fall back in case it does have to cancel shows.

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The theatre will be asking visitors to show their vaccine record, negative test result or give verbal assurances they do not have any covid symptoms. Mr Bown added:

“It is to reassure the audience we’re doing something to try to keep them as safe as possible. But of course if people still aren’t comfortable I would advise them not to come.”

Police close road near Green Hammerton after serious crash

North Yorkshire Police closed the A59 near Green Hammerton after a serious crash this evening.

The force reported the crash, which led to long delays, at about 7pm this evening.

At this stage it is unclear how many vehicles were involved and the extent of any injuries.

Motorists have been warned to avoid the area while the emergency services deal with the incident.

A spokesperson for the police said:

“We’re currently at the scene of a serious collision on the A59 at Green Hammerton.

“The road is currently closed and diversions are in progress.

“There is likely to be some disruption for some time. Please avoid the area whilst emergency services respond.”

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Travellers set up camp at Harrogate’s Ashville College – and demand £5,000 to leave

Travellers have set up an illegal camp on the sports field at Harrogate’s Ashville College — and demanded £5,000 to leave immediately.

The school has said their presence raises safeguarding concerns that could delay the return to school on September 8.

Cars and caravans drove onto the rugby pitches behind the fee-paying school’s Mallinson boarding house on Yew Tree Lane last night.

According to a college spokesman, they told school staff they were on their way to a wedding in Ireland after attending the annual Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria.

However, the travellers said if the school paid them £5,000 they were prepared to leave immediately without causing any damage.

But if no money was forthcoming, they said they would increase the length of their stay and implied they would invite other members of the travelling community to join them, the spokesman added.

This week, the college is staging a series of summer sports activities for boys and girls. These have now had to be brought indoors as the college is concerned about the safety of the children.

Despite the camp’s presence being a safeguarding issue, the college is worried that the only route it can now take to remove the travellers is to apply for a court order, which could take up to 10 days, and interrupt the start of term.

The spokesman said:

“Despite the travellers illegally camping on our grounds, which is private property, and their presence being a child safeguarding issue, the police state they are powerless to take action.

“This has already impacted on our summer sports camps and there’s a possibility the start of the new term may have to be delayed.

“We are now having to engage the services of a solicitor to help us apply for a court order, and in the meantime we are powerless to do anything, which is incredibly frustrating and worrying.”

Harrogate hospital reports second coronavirus death in a week

Harrogate District Hospital has reported a second coronavirus death in a week — after going more than four months without any covid fatalities.

One patient died on Wednesday last week and the hospital reported today that another person had succumbed to the virus.

It takes the total number of coronavirus deaths at the hospital to 181.

Since lockdown restrictions were fully lifted in July, daily coronavirus cases have remained at about the 70 mark. Today’s figure is 82 and brings the total number of cases to 12,908.

The seven-day infection rate for the Harrogate district has increased to 315 people per 100,000. That is just above the North Yorkshire average of 311 and just below the England average of 330.

It was reported today that the number of patients at Harrogate District Hospital being treated for covid had risen to 10.

Elsewhere, 123,979 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 111,861 have had a second dose.

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‘Moving breakdown truck drops car into fence’ in Harrogate

An eyewitness has described the moment a moving breakdown truck dropped a car, which then rolled into a fence in Harrogate near where children play.

The incident happened at about 9.20pm last night on Roberts Crescent.

A police cordon remains in place today on the street, which is just off Skipton Road, and there is also a broken fence.

The eyewitness, who asked not to be named, told the Stray Ferret:

“I walked past the field last night when a white tow truck was offloading a car as it was still driving off.

“As a result the car smashed through the fence of the field, causing a really loud noise. It’s a blessing it wasn’t an hour before because I saw kids playing there.

“The police soon turned up and taped off the smashed fence. I’m not sure of the outcome but there were lots of people out when officers investigated with torches.”

We approached North Yorkshire Police to confirm the account but received no reply by the time of publication.

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The police cordon on Roberts Crescent.

Bid to bring Harrogate district empty homes back into use

A senior Harrogate councillor has agreed to offer taxpayers’ cash to buy three empty homes and bring them back into use.

Councillor Mike Chambers, cabinet member for housing and safer communities at Harrogate Borough Council, signed off a decision at a meeting yesterday to make offers for the homes on Greenfields Drive and Electric Avenue in Harrogate, and Beech Lane in Spofforth.

If agreed by the owners, the council will appoint an independent valuer to provide a market valuation of the properties before selling them on the open market.

But if the offers are ignored or refused, enforcement action will be taken through compulsory purchase orders.

Councillor Chambers said:

“Empty properties are a blight for communities and the council will use all available power to bring them back into use, including assistance and enforcement action when necessary.

“Enforcement is the last choice and we have a range of options available to homeowners to assist them in returning their property to use.

“This includes the Empty Homes Loan made available last month. Owners with a property that has been empty for six months or longer can apply for a loan to undertake essential works on a property to return it to use.”

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811 empty properties in Harrogate district

There are currently 811 properties across the district that have been empty for more than six months – a figure which has risen from 774 in May.

Of the latest figure, 215 have been empty and unfurnished for over two years, while 31 have been empty for over ten years.

The council has previously admitted there is a “desperate” lack of affordable homes in the district and said it was working hard to bring empty properties back into use.

It has also set aside around £2.5m to purchase these properties from their owners.

There are numerous reasons properties can lie empty. In some instances, landlords cannot afford to renovate their property to sell or rent out.

Properties may also have been inherited and the new owners don’t know what to do with them, while others can also fall below safety standards which means they sit vacant until the problems are fixed.

As well as carrying out compulsory purchase orders, councils also have powers to charge an additional 100% council tax on properties that have been empty for two years.

Empty dwelling management orders can also be issued for long term empty properties that are attracting vandalism and causing a nuisance to the community.