Readers' Letters: ‘I disagree with the doom and gloom forecasts of the Station Gateway scheme’

Readers’ Letters is a free 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.

I ran Argos Sports, a town centre retail business, for 30 years and strongly disagree with the doom and gloom forecasts of supporters of the Getaway group against the Harrogate Station Gateway project.

They are right that it’s a tough time for high street businesses, not least because of the internet, but saying that Gateway ‘will do nothing for Harrogate except to tank the local economy’ and that the council is ‘playing Russian Roulette with the local economy’ is in my view pure scaremongering.

This reminds me of what happened in Waltham Forest 10 years ago when pedestrianisation and other ‘mini Holland’ changes were proposed to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport, and to drive less. Local businesses claimed it would kill them off. Instead the opposite happened. (Search ‘Waltham Forest coffin protest.) Getaway seem to believe that the loss of a few parking spaces and the slightest inconvenience to drivers will be the ‘final nail in the coffin for many’. I think this is nonsense. Getaway are shooting themselves in the foot.

Some car-borne shoppers may go elsewhere (though where? - Leeds? York? - both widely pedestrianised) but in my view what would actually happen is that by making Harrogate town centre more pleasant it would attract very many more people to spend their time - and money.

Malcolm Margolis BEM, Harrogate

‘Cyclists are not the enemy’

My wife and I are both cyclists. We do not just cycle for a pleasure ride but use our bicycles as transport for journeys to and from places in the area if less than 5 miles to the destination. We also cycle for fun enjoying the beautiful countryside and views in Nidderdale. I also cycle with an organised group every week regardless of weather conditions.

When cycling with the group and also with my wife very rarely does a cycle ride go by without abuse being shouted from a passing car window or improper use of a car horn or a car/van passing you with inches to spare. This frustration from car drivers usually comes about from the fact that the group or pair of cyclists are riding two abreast.

I would like car/van drivers who are not aware of the changes to the highway code to please refresh themselves with a couple of sections; the first is the hierarchy of road users.

Cycling two abreast: The new highway code covers this in rule 66; riding two abreast is legal and often recommended. It acknowledges the practical and social reasons for this formation. Riding two abreast may appear to take up more road space, but it actually offers numerous benefits. By making the group more compact, it allows drivers to overtake more easily and quickly. It facilitates communication between cyclists and increases the group's visibility.

Quicker to Overtake: Riding two abreast makes the group more compact, effectively halving its length. This allows drivers to overtake the group in less time, often in a single manoeuvre.

Enhanced Visibility: A two abreast formation is more visible to drivers, allowing them to identify the group more easily and plan their overtaking move more safely.

Social Interaction: Riding two abreast facilitates conversation and camaraderie among cyclists. Imagine walking with a friend; you wouldn't naturally walk in single file but side by side. This social aspect enhances the enjoyment of cycling together.

Safer Control: Riding two abreast can provide better control over the lane, discouraging drivers from attempting to squeeze past in the same lane, thus promoting safer overtaking behaviour. A gap of 1.5metres should be given by a car of van when overtaking a cyclist.

Can I ask car drivers that next time you see a group of cyclists or a single cyclist please give them a bit of space when you pass and be patient. Treat us like a slow-moving tractor. We won’t hold you up for long and where possible will move into a formation that will allow you to pass safely.

Being hit and run over by a car can be fatal and believe me usually is very painful and has long lasting effects on your health.

Cyclists are not the enemy. They are other road users enjoying their sport. 

Derek Gibson, Harrogate

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