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13
Aug 2020
Last Updated: 13/08/2020
Killinghall residents demand cycle routes to Harrogate
Killinghall residents have demanded North Yorkshire County Council create cycling routes as traffic conditions worsen. A surge in housing developments, busier roads and increase in air pollution has led to many feeling limited by travel.
Killinghall residents have demanded North Yorkshire County Council create cycling routes as traffic conditions worsen.
A surge in housing developments, busier roads and increase in air pollution has led to many families feeling their travel options are limited only to the car.
Environmental campaigner and member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, Malcolm Margolis, said:
"It seems so obvious that cycle paths should have been provided through developer funding. Many Killinghall and local residents are calling for safe links. For now they are forced to use the A61 which is far too dangerous especially for families with young children. There has been no shortage of funding opportunities with all the new estates that have been and are still being built.
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A local business agrees. Tanya Umpleby, owner of Cooking Fantastic and The Cud Life Campsite and Holiday Cottages said:
"We have a lot of families who stay and want to go out cycling, but won't because of how busy the A61 road is and there's only one tiny footpath."
Harrogate District Cycle Action has been in discussion with Councillor Michael Harrison, who represents Killinghall and Hampsthwaite. In a recent letter the group asked for a cycling route from Killinghall to Harrogate via Otley Road, and another on the A61 Ripon Road.
Cllr Harrison responded, saying that he has pushed for cycle links and improved footpaths but was unsuccessful. He added that North Yorkshire County Council said a 1km cycle track would cost around £400,000.
Yesterday, North Yorkshire County Council submitted a £1 million funding application for sustainable travel. If the bid is won it will be spent on Harrogate improvements, but not Killinghall.
Mr Margolis, who sat on the steering committee of the 4.2 mile Nidderdale Greenway, denies Cllr Harrison's response. He said:
"The Nidderdale Greenway which opened in May 2013 cost £500,000. North Yorkshire County Council are not interested and property developers are not interested. They are ignoring us."
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