Cyclists have often expressed disappointment at the glacial rate of progress on active travel schemes in Harrogate and Knaresborough in recent years.

Some schemes, such as the Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood, have been scrapped, while others, such as the £12.1 million Harrogate Station Gateway, have been downgraded.

North Yorkshire Council has now provided an update on current projects in a report that will be discussed by councillors on the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee on Thursday (September 12).

The report, which can be read in full here, lists seven schemes currently in progress. Here is a summary of each one:

1 Oatlands and Wetherby Road crossings

Crossing points are proposed at the junctions of Slingsby Walk/Oatlands Drive and Slingsby Walk/Wetherby Road. Slingsby Walk, which is one of few areas on the Stray where cycling is permitted, is regarded as a key walking and cycling link. Designs have been produced for a Tiger crossing on Oatlands Drive and a Toucan crossing on Wetherby Road. However, Stray land is required to build the crossings and therefore, in accordance with the Stray Act, land must be exchanged for this. Following two public consultations, the council is beginning the exchange legal process with the Duchy of Lancaster and is working on designs and traffic regulation orders.

2 Harland Way resurfacing

Plans to resurface the 3km Harland Way footpath and cycleway between Spofforth and Wetherby have been hampered by overgrowing trees and vegetation. The council report says it would be ‘desirable’ to widen the path to the three metres required for shared use in line with the latest LTN 1/20 guidance on cycle infrastructure. The report adds: “However it is not expected to be able to do this along the length of the path within the budget allocated. As such it is proposed to widen where there are pinch points only.”

3 Victoria Avenue changes

Pedestrian improvements are being drawn up after plans to create a cycle lane were scrapped due to cost. Consultants are expected to finalise designs by next month and work is due to start before April next year. You can read more about the proposed changes here. A central bi-directional cycle track could be created in a second phase later on if funding is found.

4 Bilton Lane crossing

Cycle groups requested a crossing for safety reasons where the greenway meets Bilton Lane. A road safety assessment has been carried out but according to the report “staffing issues” have delayed progress.

5 Killinghall greenway build-out

There is a proposal to build out the pavement where the greenway exits on to the old Killinghall bridge to make it wider and safer. An informal engagement exercise with residents and businesses is due to take place this month.

6 Otley Road sustainable transport measures

Ten sustainable transport measures, including speed reductions, a crossing point outside Western Primary School, an upgrade of the Cold Bath Road traffic signals and bus stop upgrades on Otley Road, have been drawn up for the west of Harrogate. Each project has its own timeline. 

7 Harrogate Transport Improvement Plan

A report on improving transport is “currently being reviewed internally by officers”. The findings will be be reported to councillors in autumn or winter.

The report adds three other schemes are ‘in development’. They are: feasibility designs on creating a 5km Bilton to Hornbeam Park; a feasibility study and a preliminary design for the 200-metre missing section of cycle path on the A59 between Knaresborough and Harrogate golf club; and stakeholder engagement on Harrogate and Knaresborough cycle priorities.