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08
Nov 2022
'Real solutions' needed to west of Harrogate congestion, say residents
Residents in Pannal have called for “real solutions” to congestion amid an upcoming “explosion in housing” in the west of Harrogate.
Thea area is set to see up to 2,500 new homes built over the next two decades.
North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council are currently working on the West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy, which looks at how the area will cope with increased homes.
The strategy is part of the wider proposals for the area and builds upon the West Harrogate Parameters Plan, which sets out how the area’s infrastructure and services will look.
However, Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council has said some of the measures planned by the county council, which include junction modifications, “will do nothing” to ease congestion and called for “real solutions” to the problem.
John Mann, a Conservative county councillor representing Pannal and Oatlands, spoke on behalf of the parish council at a county council executive meeting today.
Cllr Mann (pictured) said an increase in homes would have an impact on local road infrastructure, including the A61 towards Leeds and Bradford.
He said:
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In response, Cllr Keane Duncan, executive county councillor for access, said
Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.
Cllr Duncan added that a "number of junctions" had already been identified for improvement, which would be paid for by developers.
He said further consultation on infrastructure would be held with resident groups and parish councils.
The move comes after the Stray Ferret revealed that North Yorkshire County Council appointed RPS Consulting Services Limited to oversee a review of junction improvements in the west of Harrogate.
The Oxfordshire company was awarded £200,000 as part of the contract.
Park and ride plans still in the works
Meanwhile, Cllr Duncan said work on a park and ride for Harrogate was "still in the feasibility stage" and no decision on its site had been made.
The scheme has long been seen as part of the solution to congestion in the town.
The county council said previously that the plans would take around six months to assess and could be published next year.
Cllr Duncan said today:
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