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24
Feb
Harrogate roadworks begin amid claim of ‘farcical’ 23-minute diversion
Two sets of roadworks in Harrogate finally came to an end yesterday — hours before another set brought what is expected to be several weeks of disruption to Ripon Road and Jennyfields.
York Place reopened and long-term roadworks on Copthall Bridge came to an end.
The Copthall Bridge work reduced traffic to a single lane traffic to facilitate the £10 million refurbishment of the office block Copthall Bridge House. The roadworks were initially due to finish by April 2, 2024 but ended up lasting 10 months longer.
Copthall Bridge yesterday
Hours later, cones went up on Ripon Road to mark the start of roadworks expected to last six weeks. You can read more here.
Motorist Paul Langley uploaded a video on social media of him following the diversion signs from the leisure centre at the junction of Ripon Road and Jenny Field Drive.
Mr Langley said:
Safe to say what a joke! The whole signage officially puts you into a total loop between New Park roundabout, the Empress roundabout and the Prince of Wales roundabout. The whole saga with no traffic takes 23 mins. What a farce!
The closure at the junction of Ripon Road and Coppice Avenue.
Ripon Road was closed last night at the junctions with Hampsthwaite Road and Coppice Avenue.
It meant drivers travelling north on Ripon Road could make a short detour along Hampsthwaite Road, Coppice Gate and Coppice Avenue before turning back onto Ripon Road, and vice-versa in the opposite direction.
Hampsthwaite Road will be closed on February 28 for filling in potholes.
Northern PowerGrid is working on Ripon Road as part of a project to replace electrical circuits from Harrogate to Oatlands and Starbeck.
Councillor Peter Lacey, a Liberal Democrat who represents Coppice Valley and Duchy, said:
The new roadworks on the Ripon Road will undoubtedly cause disruption across the north side of Harrogate. The works are being carried out by Northern PowerGrid and are due to last 7 weeks until April 10. I was informed as one of the local councillors in early January and immediately shared the information with local residents’ groups and have been addressing residents’ concerns since then. There is clearly dismay at such disruption, but the works are essential to maintain safe and sufficient electricity across the area.
I would ask people to be considerate in using alternative routes over the coming weeks, and would certainly hope that larger vehicles stick to the advisory detours to avoid risk to pedestrians and local residents and particularly when using routes adjacent to schools such as Coppice Valley Primary School. As a local councillor I will be monitoring progress on the works and will apply any pressure available to ensure there is no over-run and that the road is reinstated in good condition after the works.
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