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18
Mar 2021
Residents welcome decision to drop Oatlands Drive one-way scheme
Residents and councillors have welcomed a move by North Yorkshire County Council to shelve plans for a one-way system on Oatlands Drive.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, confirmed today that the controversial proposal would be scrapped and not included in a detailed consultation from Monday.
It comes as the county council received “overwhelming” opposition after its initial consultation, with 57% of respondents opposed to the plan.
A leaflet campaign was also launched by residents against the scheme which encouraged people to send e-mails to local councillors, media and council officers objecting to the scheme.
Cllr Mackenzie told the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Committee today that a decision was made to drop the plan after a meeting with officers yesterday. He said it became clear that in "most cases" residents were "vehemently opposed" to the proposal.
Anna McIntee, a local resident whose petition calling on the plans to be scrapped attracted more than 1,700 signatures, said she was delighted with the news.
She said:
Meanwhile, Cllr John Ennis, who represents Oatlands on the county council, said he had received strong opposition to the plans from residents and that he was “grateful” for the decision to scrap the scheme.
Council bosses will now go to the next stage of consultation on the scheme - which the authority bid £215,000 in government funding for - from Monday. It will include proposals for a 20 mile per hour zone on the road.
Read more:
- Half of responses ‘strongly oppose’ Oatlands Drive plan
- 1,000 sign petition calling for Oatlands cycling plans to be scrapped
Other measures including improvements to the toucan crossing on York Place, raised speed platforms at crossings at Slingsby Walk and outside St Aidan's school will also be included.
Traffic filters will also be proposed for St Hilda’s Road and St Winifred’s Road.
However, Kevin Douglas, chair of Harrogate and District Cycle Action, said he was disappointed that the one-way system had not been kept in the plans.
He said a series of measures were required for the road in order to meet carbon reduction targets.
Mr Douglas said:
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