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Oct 2022

Last Updated: 19/10/2022

Transport

New plans to promote cycling in Harrogate to be revealed on Monday

by John Plummer

| 19 Oct, 2022

The county council also revealed today it hopes to start phase two of the Otley Road cycle route in summer next year.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.

A consultation will begin on Monday on new plans to promote cycling and walking in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire County Council also revealed today it now "hopes" to start phase two of the Otley Road cycle route in summer next year — more than a year after it had planned to begin.

Monday's consultation will ask for suggestions to improve active travel in and around Oatlands Drive, as well as for views on the Otley Road cycle route, its links with Beech Grove and the town centre.

Previous plans to reduce congestion in Oatlands, which included introducing a one-way system on Oatlands Drive, were shelved in spring last year after numerous complaints.

As part of its latest plans, the county council will undertake a traffic survey looking at parking, modes of transport and the volume and speed of traffic.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“We are looking at options for active travel and traffic calming improvements in the Oatlands area as part of our aim to encourage cycling and walking, easing congestion and improving air quality in Harrogate.

“Previous consultations about the Oatlands area have generated a lot of comments, so we have made a commitment to carry out a more detailed study to assess possible improvements there.

“The public engagement demonstrates our commitment to ensuring local people are involved in the design process from the outset."

Cllr Duncan said he hoped "potential options" would be presented by the end of the year "so they will be ready when further funding becomes available".

Plan to cut congestion on Oatlands Drive won’t be ready until autumn

'Nightmare’ and ‘flawed’: Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle path under further fire

Further public engagement on phase two of Otley Road cycle route, its links with Beech Grove and the town centre will run alongside that of Oatlands Drive, focusing on the final designs.

'Pros and cons for all designs'

Three options for the cycle route are being considered. A meet the designer event will also be held for local stakeholder groups and residents, allowing them the opportunity to discuss the options in further detail.

Cllr Duncan added:

“There are pros and cons for all of the proposed designs which is why we need to engage with local residents and stakeholders.

“It’s important to consider the possibility of conflict between road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the impact on properties along the route and parking."

An interactive map giving an overview of active travel projects in Harrogate and how they link together is available here.

The consultation will run from Monday until November 28. Further details will be available here.

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New plans to promote cycling in Harrogate to be revealed on Monday

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'Pros and cons for all designs'