Subscribe to trusted local news

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Feb 2024

Last Updated: 28/02/2024

Yorkshire Water apologise after lorries pass Killinghall school

by Lauren Ryan

| 28 Feb, 2024

Lorries driving down Crag Lane this week

Yorkshire Water have issued an apology after its lorries drove past Killinghall Church of England Primary School during pick up and drop off times last week.

The organisation is currently carrying out work on a £19m scheme to clean up the River Nidd at the Killinghall wastewater treatment works on Crag Hill Lane. Works at the site are expected to continue until Spring 2026.

Since the scheme began last year, the primary school and residents in the village have raised concerns about children's safety as the volume of heavy goods vehicles increased on Crag Lane.

Last year Andy Wilmer, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said in a statement that vehicles would not be an issue and that site traffic would avoid school drop off and pick up times.

But, residents have said that Yorkshire Water lorries were still passing the school during pick up times. Last week two lorries passed the school between 8:45 and 8:50am.

Killinghall resident, Richard Thompson shared a photo of the lorry and told the Stray Ferret:

"HGVs have been driving past Killinghall CE Primary School during drop-off time for the last two days, despite Yorkshire Water's recent public undertaking that they would not.

"This has put young children including toddlers at significant risk. The lorry came extremely close to some pedestrians and several parents commented."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson at Killinghall Church of England Primary School said:

“It is an issue we are aware of, lorries are definitely driving past. Traffic is a problem in general down Crag Lane because it’s a narrow street and cars park on the road. Lorries drive past and often go on the verges or resident’s gardens. The main time this is an issue for us is school pick-up times.”

Yorkshire Water has since apologised and said measures would be put in place "to ensure this does not happen again".

A company spokesperson said today:

"We apologise for the disruption caused by a supplier delivering to our site during school drop off time. We and our contractor at Killinghall are working closely with our suppliers to put measures in place to ensure this does not happen again in the future.

"As part of our work in the area, our education team will be visiting the school to deliver an industry-first Lego blockages programme later this week, educating students on what should and shouldn't be flushed down to the toilet to reduce blockages in the sewer and how everyone can do their bit to support the environment."

Crag Lane is a narrow country lane connected to Otley Road which runs through Killinghall village. The school is on the corner of the two roads.

The Stray Ferret spoke to local and parish councillors about the issue, who stressed safety measures should be taken seriously.

Cllr Michael Harrison, Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate division said:

“Yorkshire Water committed to avoiding school hours for the largest vehicles to use the lane for these temporary works, and so it would be helpful if residents feedback if this is not being adhered to.”

Cllr Anne Holdsworth, acting chair of Killinghall parish council said:

"The development of the Killinghall Sewerage Works has caused controversy and efforts have been made to introduce safety measures and signage. An approach to Yorkshire Water should provide the measures which have been introduced with cooperation of the Contractors. I would suggest that a record of vehicles that are appear to be ignoring the safety measures in place to protect school children and other pedestrians is noted kept and reported as soon as possible."

"This project is likely to take many months to complete and currently the need for heavy goods vehicles is for the preparation of the necessary ground works."

Read more:

Yorkshire Water begins £19m works in bid to improve River Nidd quality

Hundreds object to Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion plans