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02
Sept
MP alleges ‘serious mismanagement’ of Tesco roadworks in Harrogate
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has claimed “serious mismanagement” of the Tesco roadworks in New Park is disturbing the lives of residents and businesses.
Tesco contractors KPS are undertaking eight to 10 weeks of work to build a roundabout and access road for a new supermarket off Skipton Road in Harrogate.
Liberal Democrat Mr Gordon today (September 2) said the contractors were “flouting clear rules by working on Sundays and bank holidays, disturbing residents with excessive noise” and accused Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council of lacking oversight of the project.
He also claimed the closure of two nearby roads was causing “unnecessary disruption” to residents and shops, including the convenience store Number One Shop.
The Stray Ferret visited the shop last week to hear about the owner’s concerns. You can read the article here.
Mr Gordon said “residents and businesses should not have to pay the price for council failings”, adding:
The impact of these road closures on residents and local businesses is unacceptable. Shops like the Number One Shop are losing vital trade, and people’s daily lives are being disrupted.
Mr Gordon and Councillor Monika Slater, a Liberal Democrat who represents Bilton Grange and New Park on the council, will visit the site on Saturday to hear residents’ concerns.
Cllr Slater said:
Residents are already struggling with the scale of disruption caused by these works. To see road closures put in place when no work is happening has created huge frustration and undermined public trust in the council. This comes on top of the chaotic, poorly managed roadworks across Harrogate over the summer, which left many people feeling the town was in gridlock. The council clearly needs to take swift, visible action to restore trust and put residents first.
A Tesco spokesperson said:
We apologise for the inconvenience caused by these essential roadworks for our new Harrogate superstore. We continue to work closely with the council and our contractors to minimise the impact of these works on the local road network and wider community.
'We recognise the disruption'
A spokesperson for KPS said:
We recognise the disruption caused by the ongoing works on Skipton Road and apologise to the businesses and residents affected, the issues that have arisen have been unforeseen and we are continually working with our suppliers to resolve them and ensure minimal disruption for those affected.
The Stray Ferret has asked North Yorkshire Council to responsd to the Lib Dems’ claims.
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