Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
17
Jul
Harrogate to see three months of roadworks as Yorkshire Water fixes the leaks
Drivers in Harrogate will have to brace themselves for more roadworks this autumn, when Yorkshire Water begins more than three months of digging.
The work, which is due to start towards the end of August, will replace extensive stretches of clean water mains. The old ones are prone to bursting, wasting water and causing emergency roadworks to fix them.
The project is understood to be part of Yorkshire Water's £38 million programme to reduce leakage over the next five years.
The works have not yet been officially announced to the public, but the Stray Ferret has seen a map and schedule that Yorkshire Water has already emailed to “key contacts” around the town, believed to include North Yorkshire Council, Harrogate BID and Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.
In the documents, the following roads are marked "open cut", which means they will be dug up:
- The footpath on Ripon Road, from Duchy Road to Oakdale Avenue, for 35 days: Tue, Aug 26 to Mon, Oct 13
- Swan Road for a total of 47 days: Mon, Sept 1 to Tues, Nov 4
- Crescent Road for a total of 54 days: Wed, Nov 5 to Mon, Jan 19
- Montpellier Mews for 10 days: Tues, Oct 14 to Mon, Oct 27
- Montpellier Parade for 12 days: Tues, Oct 28 to Wed, Nov 12
- Market Place and Cross James Street for 12 days: Thurs, Nov 13 to Fri, Nov 28
Starting in early January, less intrusive work will see fittings – presumably grates and the like – installed on West Park, Victoria Avenue and the Prince of Wales roundabout between Monday, January 5 and Tuesday, January 21.
In an email seen by the Stray Ferret, Kim Bottomley, communications and engagement adviser at Yorkshire Water, told the key contacts:
We understand this work is going to be inconvenient and [disruptive] and want to work with you, businesses and locals that will be affected. There will be several road closures, footpath closures and various traffic management in place while we do these works.
We expect these works to be finished in February 2026. We are aware of the Christmas Market and will be off from the end of November to restart in January 2026.
With some of these mains in footpaths outside shops and bars we are keen to work with businesses to keep these running as normal as possible.
The Stray Ferret has contacted Yorkshire Water for more information.
0