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05
Oct 2022
New plans to tackle traffic on Harrogate's A61
North Yorkshire County Council has revealed it is exploring new plans to cut congestion and improve road safety on one of Harrogate’s busiest routes.
Bus lanes, junction upgrades and cycling and walking improvements are being considered for the A61, which is a key artery connecting Ripon and Leeds.
There are also the long-discussed proposals for a park and ride scheme, which could have multiple sites in Harrogate.
The plans form part of a latest study that is underway after debate over the town’s £11.2 million Station Gateway project last year ignited calls for the Parliament Street section of the A61 to revert to two-way traffic as it was pre-1971.
However, the county council has repeatedly rejected the idea, saying the projected £30 million costs were not manageable.
Councillor Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation, has again reaffirmed the authority’s stance whilst also revealing that a second phase of the Harrogate Transport Improvements Programme study is now focusing on other proposals for the A61. He said:
Read more:
- Harrogate still a 'top priority' for bus improvements despite funding warning
- Harrogate park and ride plans could finally be revealed next year
After launching in 2019, the Harrogate Transport Improvements Programme has been hit by recent delays because the work is “extremely time consuming and complex”.
That is according to a council report, which also highlighted how there were further setbacks when the council’s £116 million bid to the government’s Bus Back Better scheme failed to secure any funding.
At the centre of the bid was plans for a Harrogate park and ride scheme and the council has again insisted that this is still a priority.
More than 100 possible sites have been examined and the two most promising were previously revealed as land near Pannal Golf Club and the Buttersyke Bar roundabout south of the village.
These were identified as they connect to the 36 bus service which runs between Harrogate, Ripon and Leeds on the A61.
Keane Duncan
But Cllr Duncan said more than one park and ride site would be needed in order to make the scheme a success and encourage people to change their travel habits. He added:
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