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20
May 2021
Both sides of the cycling debate have criticised North Yorkshire County Council after it scrapped a controversial active travel scheme for the Oatlands Drive area of Harrogate.
The council received more than £1m from government to improve walking and cycling infrastructure.
It put forward four schemes in North Yorkshire, three of which were in Harrogate and one in Whitby.
But last week it dropped the Oatlands Drive proposals after fierce opposition from residents.
It initially proposed making the whole of Oatlands Drive one-way then revised this to make nearby St Winifred's Road and St Hilda's Road one-way.
Both schemes were abandoned, meaning the money will be spent on projects for Victoria Avenue in Harrogate and the A59 in Knaresborough, plus the one in Whitby.
Kevin Douglas, from Harrogate District Cycle Action, said he was disappointed with the way the council handled the Oatlands scheme.
He said:
Mr Douglas said the council had to accept active travel schemes inconvenienced some people and be stronger in the face of opposition if it was serious about improving walking and cycling infrastructure.
He asked:
Video highlights issue of motorists parking on Oatlands cycle lane
Controversial Oatlands Drive active travel scheme scrapped
The council has said the Oatlands consultation responses will feed into an Oatlands constituency feasibility study that will “reassess opportunities” for infrastructure improvements across the area.
But Ms McIntee warned the council could expect more strong opposition if it put forward similar proposals for Oatlands Drive.
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