North Yorkshire County Council said today that severe weather had delayed completion of the first phase of the Otley Road cycle path in Harrogate.
The first phase of the much delayed scheme was due to finish today. It has focused on creating the cycle path from Harlow Moor Road to Arthur’s Avenue.
The council, which is the highways authority, said today the majority of work on the footpath and carriageway will be completed by tomorrow.
It added the roads and footways around the construction works will reopen on Saturday for Christmas and New Year while the council pauses the scheme.
New permanent traffic signals are expected to be in operation from Monday and over the Christmas period.
The remaining phase one cycle path works will restart in the week commencing January 3 and are now due to finish by January 14.
A press release issued by the council today said “recent severe weather conditions have delayed completion of the cycle path”.
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Highways area manager Melisa Burnham said:
“We have made every effort to complete the work, but the weather has been against us.
“We will lift the works over the holiday period for the convenience of residents and aim to complete the work quickly in January, though this again will be subject to weather conditions.”
Phases two and three
Work on the second phase, which will cover Harlow Moor Road to Beech Grove, is set to start in March.
It is unclear when phase three, from Harlow Moor Road to Cardale Park, will start. That stretch of the cycle lane relies on developer funding from housing built in the west of Harrogate.
The county council is currently working on various plans, including a feasibility study, for phase three.
The cycleway aims to improve safety and alleviate congestion along the Otley Road corridor.
It will complement other schemes, such as the Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood and future projects in the town centre, ultimately providing a cycle facility from the west of Harrogate to the town centre.
