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03
Feb 2021
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.
Read more:
Government awards North Yorkshire £1 million for walking and cycling
Highfield pupils earn ‘eco-points’ for walking and cycling to school
- Harrogate park and ride could be built in Pannal
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.
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:
Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, described the measure as "a start" in improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians. He said:
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.
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