Readers' Letters: Too many 'unnecessary' roadworks in the Harrogate district

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.

This week, a reader has sent in a letter about unnecessary roadworks in the Harrogate district.

In Ripon, and perhaps elsewhere in the district, there are many road closures at present. Many of these are no doubt necessary as work is done to catch on problems since covid. However a number of them seem unnecessary or longer than necessary.

A recent example was a section of Stonebridgegate in Ripon, necessitating a long diversion (not properly signposted) to get to Marks and Spencers from Allhallowgate; I walked the area recently, at which time no work was being done to justify the closure. A bit longer ago a similar closure affected Trinity Lane in Ripon. Can anything be done about this?

John Ensoll, Ripon

Hope that gateway does not ‘kill off’ business

These comments were left under an article about the council refusing to reveal costs for the Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

I know hundreds of people who live and/or work in Harrogate who strongly object to this project. I don't know a single person in favour, other than members of North Yorkshire Council and businesses engaged in delivering the project (not surprisingly). I am saddened by this turn of events and hope that the long reaching effects of digging up the town centre, reducing on street parking, ripping out the greenery and tempietto in Station Square will not kill off too many of the independent businesses already struggling in the current economic climate. Very sad days for Harrogate.

Tara Stagman

If I believed that Mr Adam’s and others involved had a genuine interest in the detailed costs then his comments could be seen as reasonable but it is all about stopping the scheme and making more trouble. The protest against the scheme is discredited and these protesters have lost face and cost the taxpayers lots of legal fees and officer time. Enough is enough, I don’t see why they should take up NYC time anymore. Time costs money and it is coming out of my pocket and all the council taxpayers.

Martin Weeks

Is it not in the interest of the taxpayer that they disclose any costs, or is that being a bit naive to expect such openness?

Michael Chapman

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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