Readers’ Letters: Harrogate’s potholes left me with a broken foot!

Readers’ Letters is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Whilst the council waste millions of taxpayers’ money on vanity projects and consultancy fees, the state of our roads and pavements become ever more dangerous.

When repairs are done, they are shoddy and short-term.

Part of The Oval was closed recently, but instead of doing the whole road, only the very worst holes were filled. Come winter the ‘non-urgent’ holes will become dangerous.

It’s a case of save a penny and spend a pound, the exception being the underused, unwanted cycle lanes it seems.

Having recently tried to make a complaint (not a claim), I am still waiting for someone from North Yorkshire Council highways to call me now three weeks later.

I fell in a pothole in town and broke my foot. That together with various cuts bruises and a twisted knee resulted in a 4.5-hour trip to the hospital. I don’t know what the treatment, surgical boot and crutches cost the NHS, but I am now immobile for 6-8 weeks.

All totally avoidable if the council had their priorities right.

Literally everyone I know is very angry about the state of the roads and pavements, but they do not feel the council takes any notice of the residents.

Princes Square in a good example; some of the worst holes have been marked up for repair but nothing has been done. Clearly the whole road needs doing but no doubt there’s no budget!

People may not be aware that the council are not liable for any damage caused by potholes unless they are aware of specific ones.

I believe the Stray Ferret is the ideal medium to give people a platform to express their feelings, and who knows, maybe even get something done.

Catherine Tucker, Harrogate 

A speed reduction is not the only change needed on the A61

This letter follows news of Ripon councillors objecting to plans to reduce the speed limit on the A61, which runs between Ripon and Harrogate. Four people, including two children, died in two separate collisions on the road last year.

Whilst I haven't used the A61 between Ripon and Harrogate regularly for around 15 years, before that it was my daily route to and from work for 30 years.

During that time, traffic gradually increased. But with the combination of commuters and rural traffic, cars naturally slowed down – rarely driving at the 60mph limit.

I use the road less frequently now, but I would fully support the proposal to reduce the speed limit to 50mph.

Ripon city councillors have apparently come out against the speed reduction, saying it would slow traffic and cause queuing. It would be interesting to know when they last went 60mph on the road – at peak time or otherwise.

As well as the speed reduction, there needs to be better road markings and drainage. In addition, verges and hedges need to be cut more regularly to improve visibility.

The road has become busier as time has gone by and is, therefore, already slower.

But there will still be the odd idiot who thinks they can pass at tight spots, even with the speed reduction, because there always has been.

Bernard White, Ripon

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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