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15
Mar
Main Harrogate road set for four months of roadworks
Harrogate’s Victoria Avenue is set for four months of roadworks as major works that have been in the pipeline for years will begin.
Harrogate’s widest street was long viewed as a key part of a connected cycle route from the town’s bus and train stations to Cardale Park off Otley Road, where thousands of new homes are being built.
But when those plans by North Yorkshire Council were scrapped due to a lack of funds, other changes were mooted.
The Stray Ferret has followed the saga closely, and in January revealed plans to relocate the zebra crossing directly in front of the main entrance to St Paul’s United Reform Church had also been thrown out after the church pointed out there would be nowhere for a wedding car or hearse to park.
We previously reported that a proposal to ban traffic from Belford Road turning right on Victoria Avenue had also been abandoned.
However, major changes to Victoria Avenue are set to come to fruition from March 17, but disruption to the road can be expected.
The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council for further details on the works and the extent of the closures.
A council spokesperson said Victoria Avenue will not close entirely for the 17-week period.
The majority of the works will be completed under lane closures and two or three-way traffic signals, but Victoria Avenue will close for resurfacing for three nights towards the end of the 17 weeks to minimise disruption, the spokesperson added.
Belford Road, just off Victoria Avenue, will also close for resurfacing for several days towards the end of the 17-week stint.
The Stray Ferret asked the council what other roads will be impacted by the works. The spokesperson said:
There are impacts on Raglan Street, Princess Square, lane closures on Station Parade and West Park, Victoria Avenue (between Station Parade and the roundabout), parking suspensions, bus stop suspensions (with temporary stops provided as required) and footpath closures with pedestrian diversions in place.
The work will take place on Victoria Avenue between West Park and Station Parade. However, the council spokesperson added there will be a "short closure further east" to allow upgraded traffic signal equipment to be installed.
Details of changes
The Stray Ferret last month asked the council for details on what changes will actually come into play. A spokesperson listed the following schemes:
• Traffic signals upgrades including replacing all existing infrastructure and adding new signalised crossing points at junctions with West Park and Station Parade.
• Building out footways at West Park junction to make prohibited straight-ahead movement from Beech Grove more difficult.
• A new bus stop near the West Park United Reformed Church.
• Installation of new block paving at drive crossings to make a continuous footway.
• Installation of new tactile crossing at side roads.
• Relocation of ticket machines from centre of carriageway to edges.
• Installation of new decorative footway lighting.
• Improvements to existing zebra crossing.
• Repairs to flagged paving as required.
• Resurfacing to carriageway.
• New benches and bins.
• Changes to signage, lining and drainage as required.
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