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Feb 2022

Last Updated: 16/02/2022

Transport

Cycling group to meet council to raise concerns about Otley Road cycle path

by Thomas Barrett

| 16 Feb, 2022

Kevin Douglas, chair of HDCA, told the Stray Ferret the group will meet the council on Otley Road on February 22. It plans to share what it thinks are the positive and negative aspects of the route.

Harrogate District Cycle Action will meet officers from North Yorkshire County Council next week to discuss concerns over the Otley Road cycle path.

Work has now been completed on the path from Harlow Moor Road to Arthurs Avenue in Harrogate. It is the first of three phases on Otley Road.

Kevin Douglas, chair of HDCA, told the Stray Ferret members of the group will meet council officers at Otley Road on Tuesday next week when they will share their positive and negative thoughts on the route.

Mr Douglas said he had ridden the path and described the experience as "mixed".

He said:

"There are some good points and some things that need to be addressed, the best way to do that is meet them and talk them through it.

"The major Harlow Moor Road junction is not safe for pedestrians and cyclists. They have widened the road to make it better for cars. It's a major concern.

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Mr Douglas said he hoped the council would take on board its concerns for phase two, work on which is set to begin in April. Phase two will see the path extended from Arthurs Avenue to Beech Grove.

He added:

"Some people are concerned it switches from dedicated lane to shared use, that's always going to be the case with tight space and not wanting to remove the trees. A shared use footpath is never as good as segregated."

North Yorkshire County Council has reached an agreement with landowner Yorkshire Water to widen the path on Harlow Moor Road.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, said:

“The designers and project manager will be carrying out a walk through with the cycle group. We will of course listen to any concerns and act if necessary.”

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Cycling group to meet council to raise concerns about Otley Road cycle path

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