Senior Harrogate councillors have approved a public consultation over three plots of land to be designated for the Stray.
Last night, senior councillors on Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet agreed to hold a 12 week public consultation this summer over which plot is the most suitable.
It follows length discussions between the authority and the Duchy of Lancaster over land to be exchanged for verges on Otley Road which will be removed for a multi-million pound cycle route
As part of the Stray Act, a suitable plot of land must be offered in exchange.
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The three areas identified are:
- Wetherby Road land next to the war memorial (preferred option)
- St James Drive verges
- Arthurs Avenue verges
It comes as North Yorkshire County Council looks to press ahead with the cycle route on the stretch of road between Harlow Moor Road and Beech Grove.
The area of land outlined in Harrogate Borough Council documents earmarked to be exchanged as part of the Otley Road cycle route.
The project has already been delayed and the negotiations over the Stray land have been a further stumbling block for the second phase of the scheme.
Borough council leader, Richard Cooper, said the authority had to show it was in favour of sustainable means of travel.
He said:
“We talk about sustainable transport a lot and now we are delivering some.
“It is important that we do that because when we campaign against things like the relief road nearby the Nidd Gorge and say we are in favour of sustainable measures, but fall at the first fence when they are put forward it dampens our credibility when we say we are in favour of sustainable transport.”
However, earlier this week, the Stray Defence Association (SDA) raised concern over the amenity value of the second and third options outlined by the council.
