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26
Aug
Cost of introducing 20mph zone in Harrogate revealed
The cost of the first phase of a scheme to introduce a 20mph zone in Harrogate has been revealed.
North Yorkshire Council agreed to create the zone in the south and west of Harrogate last year after campaigners submitted a petition calling for a speed reduction from 30mph.
The zone includes many streets close to schools, including St Aidan's Church of England High School, St John Fisher Catholic High School, Ashville College and Harrogate Grammar School.
However, the 30mph limit remains on some of the main roads in the zone.
The scheme is being rolled out in two phases, the first of which was implemented this month.
The Stray Ferret sent a freedom of information request to the council asking how many signs are being introduced and removed and at what cost.
The response said the estimated phase one cost was £50,000.
It added:
The phase one rollout works comprised of the installation of 167 signposts, the erection of 469 sign plates, the demolition of 49 signposts (including foundations) and demolition/removal of 23 wide-based illuminated signposts, including electrical connections and associated sign assembly changes/removal (approximately 52).
The council said details of phase two had yet to be finalised and therefore it did not have details of the number of signs to be removed and replaced. It previously estimated the overall cost of implementation to be £200,000.
Our freedom of information request also asked what was being done with removed signs. The council replied:
“Removed sign plates which are standard signs and in good condition were returned to the depot for re-use on the network as and when required. Damaged or faded signs were either disposed of if they were plastic or recycled if they were metal.”
School Streets
We also requested the breakdown of costs associated with the implementation of the School Streets scheme at Oatlands Junior School on Beechwood Grove in Harrogate.
The scheme, which is part of a national Department for Transport initiative, restricts the times at which vehicles can drive on roads near schools to improve safety and encourage more children to walk and cycle.
The council said two signposts and four sign plates were installed on Beechwood Grove at a cost of £1,107 and the Traffic Regulation Order for the scheme cost £504, bringing the total cost to £1,611.
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