Harrogate Borough Council agreed this evening to designate a plot of land on Wetherby Road as Stray land in exchange for grass verges on Otley Road.
The verges are currently part of the Stray but will be removed for a new cycle route.
The Stray Act 1985 says that if Stray land is given up a suitable plot of alternative land must be offered in exchange.
The council carried out a 12-week consultation over three plots of land to replace the verges as Stray land.
The majority of respondents backed the council’s preferred option to designate the land on Wetherby Road next to the war memorial.
Read more
- The agony of getting a single cycle route built in Harrogate
- Council to recommend Wetherby Road land for Stray swap
Senior councillors on the authority’s cabinet voted today for the land to be submitted to the Duchy of Lancaster, which is responsible for managing the Stray, for approval to be exchanged.
The area of land outlined in Harrogate Borough Council documents earmarked to be exchanged as part of the Otley Road cycle route.
Cllr Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said at the cabinet meeting:
“Sustainable transport is a key priority for this council and this project does support the promotion of active travel on a main route joining up the town centre with the west of Harrogate.
“This scheme also supports our ambition to see a reduction in congestion, an improvement in air quality and a reduction in carbon emissions while also promoting a healthy lifestyle.”
It comes as North Yorkshire County Council looks to press ahead with plans to create a cycle route on the stretch of road between Harlow Moor Road and Beech Grove in Harrogate.
The project has already been delayed and the negotiations over the Stray land have been a further stumbling block for the second phase of the scheme.
