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23
Jun
Long-term disruption for Skipton Road as Harrogate motorists warned of another year of misery
Motorists in Harrogate have been warned to expect the current roadwork misery to continue into next year — with another major scheme starting on Skipton Road this summer to facilitate the new Tesco.
Melisa Burnham, North Yorkshire Council’s area highways manager, listed details of forthcoming roadworks in an email to councillors, seen by the Stray Ferret, today (June 23).
Ms Burnham acknowledged motorists’ frustration at the volume of schemes and said the council was considering imposing restrictions on how often roads can be dug up from next year.
But she warned there was unlikely to be any let-up in the current wave of traffic lights until spring or summer next year.
Besides Northern Powergrid undertaking widespread work across the town, Harrogate Spring Water’s pipeline project, reported here by the Stray Ferret, will cause months of disruption.
Victoria Avenue roadworks
The Victoria Avenue active travel scheme has been delayed, York Place will have to be dug up again due to a defect and numerous resurfacing projects are in the pipeline.
Skipton Road
But a section in Ms Burnham’s email titled ‘Tesco Highways Improvements’ will perhaps send the biggest shudder down the spines of motorists who are already used to snarl-ups on that main route across the north of the town.
Ms Burnham’s email said the road will be affected by roadworks from August 18 to November 10. It added: “A one-way closure will be in place on Skipton Road, a signed diversion route will be in place.” No further details were given.
We have listed the upcoming roadworks contained in the email to councillors at the bottom of this article.
Ms Burnham said:
I am aware of the concerns raised by the public and a number of businesses regarding the length of these works, you will see from below that Northern Powergrid still do have an extensive programme going forward, taking us into early next year.
Northern Powergrid continue to letter drop those directly affected advising that this significant upgrade is necessary to ensure the local electricity network has the capacity to support future predicted demand.
Looking ahead, she said the council could introduce Section 58a restrictions, which prevent companies from digging up a street for a certain period of time.
She said:
We recognise the demand on Harrogate’s road network is significant at present, with what seems like little rest bite (sic). For this reason, we are currently looking at imposing Section 58a restrictions on the key routes into Harrogate from next late spring/early summer. It is recognised that most of the key planned utility works will be complete by then. A Section 58a restriction is on for a period of six months and will allow a period where planned road works cannot take place.
Schemes listed
The Northern Powergrid, 33KV scheme continues:
• Queens Road 4 – 29/6 Road closure
• Otley Road, Harrogate 14/7 – 15/8 Road closure
• Trinity Road 18 – 29/6 Road closure
• Otley Road 11 – 17/8 Multiway signals
• York Place 11 – 17/8 Multiway signals
The work at York Place does follow the highways resurfacing scheme. Following completion of the resurfacing scheme engineers found a defect caused by shallow utilities in the area. Northern Powergrid will be addressing this, ensuring the surfacing is reinstated appropriately.
• Knaresborough Road 14/8 – 9/9 Multiway signals
• High Street 29/6 – 12/7 Multiway signals
• Prospect Road 25/6 – 4/7 Road Closure
Northern Powergrid, 11KV scheme
There are a number of upcoming schemes (but no agreed dates yet). They are wanting to work at the following locations:
• Scheme 1: Harrogate District Hospital scheme - Wayside Avenue, Hookstone Drive, Wayside Crescent, St Leonards Road.
• Scheme 2: Swan Road and slightly on the A61 and to the substation on Trafalgar Road
• Scheme 3: from Road Rear of Beechwood Crescent along Cold Bath Road to Valley Drive
• Scheme 4: joint bays on Portland Crescent and a joint bay on Kings Road
• Scheme 5: Crescent Road, Kings Road, Parliament Street, Ripon Road
Harrogate Spring Water Scheme
• Oaker Bank, Harrogate are currently using multiway lights at the roundabout with the Curious Cow Roundabout due to reduce to two-way lights and will continue working towards Penny Pot Lane. The permit is in place until 4th July, we have then asked that they clear the carriageway for the Great Yorkshire Show.
They then need to work on Penny Pot Lane, Cornwall Road and Harlow Moor Road however they are reviewing proposals to minimise the impact on the carriageway. North Yorkshire Council Officers have asked them to improve their communication with the public to advise of the works, this is something they have agreed to going forward.
Skipton Road, Killinghall. Tesco Highway Improvements.
• This will take place 18 Aug - 10 Nov. A one-way closure will be in place on Skipton road, a signed diversion route will be in place.
Victoria Avenue Active Travel Fund – North Yorkshire County Council Highway works.
• These works are delayed slightly due to unforeseen circumstances on site and will be complete by 25th July, in advance of the highway resurfacing scheme at Belford Road and Tower Street.
North Yorkshire Council Highways Capital resurfacing schemes.
Our resurfacing programme has started. King’s Road in Harrogate is complete. As the programme continues properties and businesses in the vicinity of the works will receive letters detailing the scheme. Advance notice boards will be erected 2 weeks in advance of the work commencing. Whilst access will be maintained where possible we are reaching out to any businesses who may be directly impacted to ensure they have direct contacts during the works.
• Woodfield Road – Starts Monday 23rd June
• Belford Road and Tower Street- Due to start Monday 28th July to 31st July ( Twilight)
• Coppice Drive- Due to start 14th July
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