LIVE: Farming minister arrives as travel delays ease

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A total of 140,000 visitors — 35,000 a day — are expected daily at the show between now and Friday. You can read about the traffic management plans here and read an interview with Rachel Coates, the first female show director, here. There is a free shuttle bus running every 10 minutes from the main bus station in Harrogate. 

12.29pm: Traffic 'now moving freely'

There have been reports of long queues to get in this morning, and problems accessing the car parks. The show organisers issued an update just over an hour ago, which we reported on this blog at 11.05am (see below). 

But in an update a few minutes ago, the show organisers said: "All routes are still busy, however, traffic is now moving freely."

12.10pm: Business group bangs the drum for Harrogate 

Harrogate Business Improvement District has bagged a nice cool tent near the members' area as its base for the next four days.

The BID, which is funded by town centre businesses to promote Harrogate's retail sector, is sharing the tent with local organisations. Today it's the Turkish baths. Three’s A Crowd, Richard Grafton, the Crown Hotel and Neuhaus Chocolates will join on other days.

Bethany Allen, operations and projects executive at Harrogate BID, said: “It’s a fantastic chance for us to shout about all things Harrogate and promote our town as the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown to a wider audience."

11.05am: 'All routes extremely busy'

The show organisers have issued a travel alert following reports of delay

It says:

"All routes on the approach to the Great Yorkshire Showground are extremely busy, especially Wetherby Road & Oatlands Drive. This is down to the high volume of vehicles accessing our car parks.

Our parking team are working hard to park visitors as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience."

10.51am: Watch: 70-second interview with Mayor David Skaith

David Skaith, the Labour mayor of York and North Yorkshire, launched a report today saying more than half of all farms in the county aren’t making a sustainable profit.

The report recommends how the financial outlook can be improved and what support could be provided for farmers.

We grabbed a short interview with Harrogate-born Mr Skaith at the show.

10.07am: Farming minister arrives

Daniel Zeichner, a minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whose portfolio includes farming. has just arrived at the show. Allister Nixon, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the farming charity that organises the show, greets him. Media were told to expect Mr Zeichner's arrival at 9.30am but he arrived at 10am and didn't stop to talk to the press.

9.13am: Showground starting to fill

One hour in and it's still relatively quiet but that is beginning to change as crowds flock in. It is easier getting around since covid prompted the move to a four-day show. Daily ticket sales are now capped at 35,000 and are only by advance purchase.

8.16am Traffic update

Traffic was slow on Skipton Road at about 8am this morning. Traffic is often slow on Skipton Road so this is hardly surprising but it was queueing almost all the way from New Park roundabout to the traffic lights at the junction with Claro Road. It was clear then along Wetherby Road, which is inbound only this morning. Remember, the one-way system has been extended on the A658 towards Harrogate from the Thistle Hill junction this year.

7.31am: Gates open at 8am

The 166th Great Yorkshire Show is due to get underway at 8am — and the forecast could hardly be better. Non-stop sun is forecast today with temperatures reaching 23 degrees, It's due to get warmer as the week goes on, with a peak of 29 degrees possible on Friday.