Pateley Bridge leaking drain causing safety risk, says resident
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Last updated May 26, 2021

A Pateley Bridge resident has raised safety concerns about pedestrians being forced to cross the road to avoid excess water.

A drain on Ripon Road, near the town’s Methodist church, has been leaking water through a stone wall for a “long, long time”, according to resident Mike Clark.

The water flows through the wall and on to the pavement, forcing pedestrians to cross the road onto a narrow pavement opposite to avoid being splashed by cars or walking through the water.

The problem is worse at times of heavy rainfall.

Mr Clark has notified his local councillor but has been told it will take time to resolve due to the number of organisations concerned.

He said:

“The issue got worse over the winter, its become really quite severe. It’s still pouring now even when it’s not raining. I was speaking to someone yesterday who’s mother daren’t come out when it’s wet because she doesn’t want to have to cross the road. It really needs sorting.”

Pateley Bridge drain

Mr Clark says the water travels 150 metres down the road.

Mr Clark walks past the wall daily and says it isn’t getting any better. He says the water pours on to the path and flows 150 metres to a drain outside a butcher’s shop on the High Street.


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A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We are looking in to the water leak in Pateley Bridge to determine who is responsible for the land.”

It added it would continue investigating further but couldn’t give a timeframe for when the issue will be resolved.