Appeal after man hit by white van in Harrogate

Police are appealing for information after a man was hit by a white van in Harrogate this morning.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened at around 9am on Regent Parade.

Officers said the man was pushed into a parked car following the collision and injured his foot.

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A statement from the force said:

“Around 9am on Friday, February 5 a white van collided with a male pedestrian on Regent Parade in Harrogate. The man was pushed into a parked car as a result of the collision and injured his foot.

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about a white van that was in the area at the time.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Geeta Maharjan. You can also email geeta.maharjan2@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210053525.

‘Random road closures not solution’ to Harrogate traffic woes

Harrogate’s business groups have raised concerns over plans to close off streets in Harrogate to create a “low traffic neighbourhood”.

North Yorkshire County Council revealed that it will close Beech Grove to through traffic in less than two weeks’ time.

The experimental closure will be in place for six months from February 15 and, depending on the results of a public consultation, it could become permanent.

Residents, refuse collections and emergency services will still have access to the area. But motorists will no longer be able to get directly from Otley Road to West Park via Beech Grove.

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Now officials at the chamber of commerce and business improvement district have weighed in on the debate, arguing the struggling high street could be negatively affected by the plans.

Sandra Doherty, the chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said:

“The solution is not, and never will be, the random closing of one road or another. A fully thought out, cohesive plan, which must involve all stakeholders should be undertaken.

“We must understand that no one single group will have the perfect solution. There will have to be some give and take.”

She added:

“I am not convinced that the Government’s view of car free towns surrounded by cycle lanes and pavements is the solution to the decline of the high street.

“Now we have all got used to shopping online, towns will have to provide a more experiential offering. Banning cars or discouraging them just won’t help.”

The proposed area for the Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Beech Grove, including the planters on the junction with Lancaster Road.

The proposed area for the Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Beech Grove, including the planters on the junction with Lancaster Road.

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, added:

“We need to know what else North Yorkshire Council is planning for the town centre.

“In its letter to Beech Grove and Lancaster Road residents, the council says this initiative is part of an overall ‘package of improvements’ but fails to reveal any more details.

“If its wider strategy is to reduce traffic in the town centre, then we need to know.

“We would like to think any future plans would include the addition of a large number of electric charging points. It would encourage those with electric vehicles to visit the town and help to reduce CO2 emissions.”

Ms Ferguson also said, if any free parking is to be lost, the BID would like to see Harrogate Borough and North Yorkshire County councils work together to reduce the costs in multi-storey car parks, which she said were under-used.

Serious collision halts traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road

Police and ambulances are responding after a pedestrian was involved in a collision near the Woodlands pub on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

The Esso filling station at the junction with Hookstone Drive has been cordoned off and traffic is unable to head out of town on Wetherby Road.

A car has also been cordoned off.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted minutes ago to say the collision, involving a pedestrian, occurred just before 5pm.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Emergency services are currently dealing with a serious collision involving a pedestrian on Hookstone Chase at #Harrogate, near to the Esso garage on Wetherby Road. It happened just before 5pm. Please follow diversions and avoid area until further notice. pic.twitter.com/dTeuhtdvna

— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) February 4, 2021

 

Numerous police and ambulance vehicles are present and traffic diversions are in place.

North Yorkshire Police has asked witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage to call on 101, select option 1, and speak to the force control room. Quote reference number NYP-04022021-0279.

Collision on Wetherby Road

 

Police launch internal investigation into Harrogate officer

North Yorkshire Police has said it will launch an internal investigation into an officer found guilty today of two counts of dangerous driving in Harrogate.

Detective Constable Quita Passmore, 38, drove through a red light at the junction of Otley Road and Cold Bath Road at 50 miles per hour and crashed into a car carrying two elderly women.

She was given a 10-month jail term, suspended for two years, and disqualified from driving for two years at Bradford Crown Court.

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In a statement, North Yorkshire’s deputy chief constable Phil Cain said:

“This was a very sad incident and our thoughts are with the two women and their families who are still recovering from the events of that day.

“This is an incident that police officers hope to never occur and thankfully is rare.

“We acknowledge the decision of the court. The verdict has now been referred to our professional standards department to form part of our internal investigation.

“Therefore, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

DC Passmore was responding to reports of an officer in distress at 10pm on May 5 in 2018 when she drove an undercover police vehicle through red lights.

The jury found Passmore guilty of two counts of dangerous driving.

Judge Burn told her it was “not in the public interest for the courts to be sending emergency responders to jail”.

Patricia Bulmer and Janet Roberton, who were travelling in the car she hit, sustained severe injuries, including broken bones and a punctured lung.

TV presenter supports Harrogate school’s charity joke book

A Harrogate prep school has launched a charity book to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support after one of its students completed his cancer treatment.

Highfield Prep School wanted to celebrate head boy Ralph Tasker’s end of treatment whilst raising money for the charity.

The Highfield Joke Book is packed full of jokes written by the pupils covering everything from food to animals.

Channel 4 presenter Sandi Toksvig, star of the Great British Bake Off and QI, loved the idea of the book and wrote a humorous foreword. She said:

“People have always had it in common that we could do with a laugh. I think a day without laughter is like a day without biscuits.

“It’s also a double whammy of a winner because not only will it do you good, it will also raise money for Macmillan so even people who haven’t read it will feel better. How marvellous. Well done”.

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The pupils have already raised £2,000 for Macmillan through fundraising events held last term on ‘Ralph Day’. They now hope they can boost this will the sale of the joke book.

The book will be on sale within the school for £5, with at least £4 from each copy going to Macmillan.

Senior councillors defend closure of Harrogate’s Beech Grove

Senior councillors have defended a controversial decision to close a Harrogate street to through traffic to encourage people to cycle and walk.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, wrote to residents on February 1 saying it planned to block the junction of Beech Grove and Lancaster Road with planters.

The experimental order will take effect on a six-month trial basis on February 15 as part of a scheme to create a low traffic neighbourhood in the area.

The sudden announcement generated a mixed response on social media, with many people questioning whether it would merely lead to more traffic on nearby streets, such as Cold Bath Road, Victoria Road and Queen’s Road.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, said the order was one of a series of measures the authority had proposed to reduce traffic congestion.

He added views would be taken into account when a decision was taken on whether to extend the closure in six months time.

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Asked whether the changes to Beech Grove would just move traffic elsewhere, Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret:

“That tends to happen, but what we are trying to do is trying to reduce the overall vehicle numbers and encourage people not to use their cars.

“Everyone is being encouraged to travel more actively and this is part of that.”

‘Radical measures needed’

Work to install the signage, bollards and planters will take three days from February 15, weather permitting.

Designated parking bays for ambulances will be installed on Trinity Road.

The changes to Beech Road, along with the forthcoming Otley Road cycle route, could link to create a better connected cycle route into the town centre.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.

The county council will spend £9,954 of its own funds on the Beech Grove scheme.

Cllr Mackenzie said this was because the council only received about £133,000 – half of the maximum possible available – when it applied to a government fund for active travel.

Cllr Richard Cooper, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council who also represents Harrogate central on the county council, said radical measures were needed to solve traffic congestion.

“I know that some local residents are sceptical about these new sustainable transport measures. I understand that and I respect that view while not agreeing with it.

“The fact of the matter is that we cannot pretend that traffic congestion, poor air quality, a diminishing environment and climate change can be solved without radical changes to our transport infrastructure and our personal travel habits.”

Other proposed county council measures to ease traffic congestion, include a park and ride bus service, Killinghall bypass and traffic calming measures in Bilton. 

The authority was also been awarded £1 million for three cycling schemes in Harrogate, of which one will include £250,000 for cycling measures on Victoria Avenue.

Closure met with mixed response

News of the changes to Beech Grove met with mixed reaction on the Stray Ferret Facebook and Twitter accounts.

One person said:

“So how do you get to Otley Road if you are coming out of Victoria Ave junction with West Park? You’d have to go right up Cold Bath Road to the grammar school – much further.”

Another said:

“So to ease congestion, every car now has to go via Prince of Wales roundabout to Cold Bath Road junction? I’m not an expert but they’ll be the same amount of cars on the roads regardless, so I don’t get how shutting roads anywhere is the answer?”

However, others welcomed the council’s decision and said it would improve the quality of life.

“Excellent idea. Should be just the start of many of the same. Turn the Stray into a true part of the community as opposed to an island surrounded by cars.”

Abuse for Harrogate key workers increasing

Harrogate District Hospital and North Yorkshire Police staff have reported increased instances of abuse from members of the public.

The hospital tweeted yesterday that it has received “some really disappointing feedback” from volunteers offering free facemasks who say a small minority of “rude and unpleasant” people have been causing problems.

Volunteers at the hospital’s mask station are on hand to ask visitors and patients to take off the mask they are wearing and put a clean one on, which they provide for free.

A hospital spokesperson added:

“The incidences are increasing but we really want to emphasise that it is a small minority of people and that we appreciate there may be questions and concerns about why we are asking people to wear a mask we provide when in hospital.

“It is for the safety of everyone and the volunteers are very happy to help anyone who may need some further advice and guidance. We just need to ensure this is done courteously.”

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The trend was echoed by North Yorkshire Police which published figures last week that revealed 36 arrests were made in January following assaults on police, fire and ambulance personnel – an average of more than one a day. 

The figure has risen by 45% compared to the same period last year. 

They include physical assaults such as punches, kicks, biting, assaults with a weapon and spitting.

Discarded drugs needles found in Starbeck

Starbeck resident Hayley Wilson said she was “disgusted” to find five discarded needles, believed to be used for drug taking, when walking her dog yesterday morning.

She told the Stray Ferret she found the needles on Prospect Road in Starbeck and returned with rubber gloves to put them in a plastic tub after she took her dog home.

She said:

“I was walking my dog which went near them. I’m a care worker and I’m going to do the right thing. What if a kid had picked them up?”

Ms Wilson said it’s the first time she has found needles in Starbeck but urged people to be vigilant, especially after snow has fallen.

The needles were found in the road.

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Harrogate Borough Council says if someone finds a discarded needle or syringe in a public place, don’t touch it and contact them straight away on 01423 500600, or complete the online reporting form, giving us as much detail as possible about the location.

The council will safely and hygienically dispose of it, using a sharps box and protective clothing.

Police officer guilty of dangerous driving over Harrogate crash

A police officer who drove through a red light in Harrogate at 50 miles per hour and then crashed into a car carrying two elderly women has been found guilty of dangerous driving.

DC Quita Passmore, 38, was driving an undercover police vehicle when she went through the red light at the junction of Otley Road and Cold Bath Road.

She was responding to reports of an officer in distress at 10pm on May 5, 2018 when the incident occurred.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Patricia Bulmer and Janet Roberton sustained severe injuries, including broken bones and a punctured lung.

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The jury of 12 people retired for deliberations at about 1pm today and returned with a guilty verdict on two counts of dangerous driving at about 4.30pm.

DC Passmore, who pleaded not guilty, said in a statement that was read out during the trial:

“I was aware that I needed to give way for the red light. But I thought it was unlikely that anything would emerge as my colleague had passed through seconds before.

“As I went through the junction a red car emerged. My evasive action was not enough to avoid the collision.

“I am glad to hear that the two other people involved are making a recovery. I am very sorry this happened, it was never my intention.”

Patricia Bulmer, who was driving the vehicle that was hit, told police in hospital:

“We had spent the day at a friend’s house and left around 10pm. I had driven up Cold Bath Road and turned onto the junction with Otley Road.

“Then there was an almighty smash and bang. The airbag flew into me. My friend was then making moaning noises at the side of me.”

Janet Roberton, who was a passenger, told police:

“I heard a loud siren-type noise and saw lights to the right of the car. I just remember one of us shouting ‘oh my god, oh my god’.

“Then there was a loud bang, it was the most awful noise I have ever heard. My first thought was the we were going to die, it felt terrible.”

Judge Burn adjourned the court until tomorrow morning, when he will sentence DC Passmore for dangerous driving.

Harrogate street set to be closed to traffic

Beech Grove in Harrogate is set to close to through traffic in less than two weeks’ time.

Highways authority North Yorkshire County Council has written to residents in the area saying it wants to create a low traffic neighbourhood in the area.

Planters will be put in place at the junction with Lancaster Road, blocking the street.

The council intends to trial the scheme for six months from February 15 with a view to making it permanent, pending public consultation.

Residents, refuse collections and emergency services will still have access to the area. But motorists will no longer be able to get directly from Otley Road to West Park via Beech Grove.

It is hoped the move will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It will also link to the new Otley Road cycle path, work on which is due to begin in spring.

Low traffic neighbourhoods have been put in place across the country, including in London and Manchester, to prevent drivers from using roads as shortcuts and rat-runs.

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The county council has proposed a series of measures to ease traffic congestion, including a park and ride bus service, Killinghall bypass and traffic calming measures in Bilton. The authority was also handed £1 million for three cycling schemes in Harrogate.

The proposed area for the Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Beech Grove, including the planters on the junction with Lancaster Road.

The proposed low traffic neighbourhood.

When the cycle route is completed, cyclists will be able to turn from Otley Road onto Beech Grove, which would be free from traffic and connect with another earmarked cycle route on Victoria Avenue.

The authority’s letter seeks comments from residents ahead of the measure being put in place. It said:

“The county council is seeking feedback on proposals to introduce a low traffic neighbourhood along Beech Grove, with the aim of encouraging more residents to choose active, healthy and sustainable forms of travel, particularly during the current covid pandemic between the western area of Harrogate and the town centre retail and commercial facilities.”

Beech Grove, which has been proposed to be closed off to traffic.

Beech Grove, which has been proposed to be closed off to traffic.

Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, described the measure as “a start” in improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians. He said:

“I think it is a positive step forward.

“We were consulted on a number of options and this is the one that requires the least disruption and makes sense without having to cost a huge amount of money.

“It will certainly help pedestrians and cyclists on that road. At the moment, the parking has been difficult and it has been quite risky to go down.”

The scheme would be implemented through an experimental traffic regulation order and would be reviewed by the council after six months.

Council officers will monitor the effect of the scheme on neighbouring roads, including Victoria Road, Lancaster Road and Queen’s Road.

The authority said it has no plans to alter or remove the current disc parking arrangements in the area.