Readers’ Letters is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

This week’s column is going to be a little different. Instead of readers’ letters, we’ve decided to put together some readers’ comments. On our new website, Stray Ferret subscribers can give their opinions in our comments section, so we thought we would share some recent ones with you.  

These comments responded to an article about the Harrogate Station Gateway Scheme beginning in autumn – even though full plans not have not yet been made public.

Whilst I am sure the One Arch and surrounding area could be improved, I think the general conditions of the roads in Harrogate and surrounding area should take priority.

Many roads are in a bad condition and require re-surfacing.

Road markings are too in a bad condition and create dangerous situations, especially for visiting drivers.

I really think these points should be given priority before starting unnecessary vanity projects.

John Myers

I don't trust North Yorkshire [Council] Highways.

They are very good at massaging words which totally gives the wrong impression. We need to see the details, so we have chance to object if necessary.

We must ensure no mature existing trees are felled. Any good urban designer should be more than capable of incorporating these into any new scheme.

Unfortunately, they are highways engineers, so have no understanding or appreciation of Conservation Areas.

[The] Gateway will NOT solve congestion in Harrogate. It is just a vanity project for North Yorkshire [Council]. What a total waste of our money.

Barry Adams

New infrastructure should be ‘compulsory’ when building new housing in Harrogate

This comment was left on a recent article about how Labour’s housing targets would affect Harrogate.

Before any further house building goes on, what are they going to do about local infrastructure needs?

There's been no additional doctors’ surgeries, shops, dentists or supermarkets. There has not been any increase in police, no extra fire brigade cover and no extra school capacity – pretty much nothing (sic) that all these extra residents will need.

These should be included in any further decisions before any new housing is approved.

The staff at the hospital have already told me that they are beginning to feel the strain.

New facilities and supporting infrastructure should be compulsory when any new housing estate is considered for approval.

It should be part of a green building initiative to have supporting infrastructure within walking distance of five to ten minutes.

Planning should be withheld until this is met.

Richard Coppinger

Encouraging use of public transport could end Knaresborough parking woes

This reader gave their opinion on how Knaresborough’s parking issues could be improved.

Knaresborough is fortunate enough to have a really good bus service.

From Conyngham car park the bus can be caught up into town.

New signage for York Place and an electric shuttle bus could improve access from that end of town. Surely the real way forward is to encourage more folk to use public transport to get to Knaresborough and travel around it.

We’re currently in north Germany, where all providers of places to stay give free bus passes for the local area.

It’s made holidaying without a car stress free.

Gilly Charters

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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