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13
Mar 2022
Otley Road cycle route progress 'appalling', says cycle group
Progress on a cycle route on Harrogate’s Otley Road is “appalling”, says a local cycle group.
The comments come as the next stages of Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle path are to be reviewed in line with new government guidance after complaints that parts of the completed route are “unsafe”.
It is likely to mean further delays for the troubled project, which first secured funding in 2017 and is seen as key to cutting congestion in the town.
Officials at North Yorkshire County Council this week held a walkthrough with cycling campaigners who have been left frustrated over the delays and have also raised concerns over the completed works.
John Rowe, vice chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, described the progress made so far as “appalling” – but said he was glad the feedback and new guidelines are now being taken into account.
He said:
Read more:
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The guidance published in 2020 says “cycles must be treated as vehicles and not as pedestrians” – and also gave new priorities including wider cycle lanes which are segregated from traffic.
Mr Rowe said while recognised there are space constraints on Otley Road, parts of the completed route were “badly designed”.
A particular concern is a narrowed section of cycle path at Otley Road’s junction with Harlow Moor Road which has been described as “unsafe”.
The council is currently in talks with Yorkshire Water to buy a small plot of land in order to remove a wall and widen a corner on this part of the route.
Mr Rowe said:
Council 'will listen to concerns'
Melisa Burnham, area highways manager at North Yorkshire County Council, has insisted the completed route is safe and that the council will listen to all current concerns and further feedback under the next stages.
She also said the new guidelines would be used as a “starting point to create a safe route” under the next stages, although she added they “cannot be fully applied” to all parts of the route.
Ms Burnham said:
She added:
The Otley Road cycle path is part of a wider package of sustainable transport measures for the west of Harrogate which once completed will cost around £4.6 million.
The council previously said it hoped to start work on the next stage in April.
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