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20

Jul 2020

Last Updated: 17/07/2020
Transport
Transport

County council won't budge on seven month Whinney Lane closure

by Thomas Barrett

| 20 Jul, 2020
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North Yorkshire County Council says a controversial seven-month road closure at Whinney Lane won't be reduced, despite pleas from the manager of the Squinting Cat that it could put his pub out of business.

whinney

North Yorkshire County Council says a controversial seven-month road closure at Whinney Lane won't be reduced, despite pleas from the manager of the Squinting Cat that it could put his pub out of business.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways at North Yorkshire County Council, called the delay unfortunate but said the seven-month timeframe agreed with the housing developer Mulgrave is "reasonable".

The Stray Ferret reported earlier this week that the road will be closed to build two access points for the Castle Hill Farm housing development as well as a new roundabout.

The roundabout will have four exits, including one into another site on Whinney Lane which is earmarked for development in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan. However, planning permission is yet to be granted for the site and residents say North Yorkshire County Council should not allow the roundabout to be built.

Cllr Mackenzie said the authority is entitled to plan ahead for highways improvements.

He said:

"When one designs highways and roundabouts one has to have a certain amount of foresight to look ahead.
"We'd be criticised if we constructed the roundabout then it has to be completely redone. We'd be accused of wasting tax payers money.
"NYCC gets criticism that we don't put infrastructure in place before development happens. In this case we are, even though permission has not been granted."





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Several residents have contacted the Stray Ferret this week to voice their complaints about the closure, with one calling it "absolute madness".

Cllr Mackenzie sought to reassure residents and the Squinting Cat, saying access will be maintained.

He added:

"It's unfortunate but residents needn't worry. Their access will be maintained as will access to the Squinting Cat.
"But I cannot deny that large scale residential of this nature will cause disruption. Whinney Lane is not alone in that."