Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.
Wetherby Road recycling queue is dangerous
Again today, I found that travelling south on Wetherby Road, beyond Hookstone, was compromised by cars queuing to access the waste site.
Vehicles queuing on a main arterial road is dangerous, to say the least. The volume of traffic along that road means that any obstruction creates long tailbacks very quickly.
Reduced access to the waste site through reduced spaces for cars within the site, and an intimidating audit now being taken of each driver before they are allowed to drop their waste, has exacerbated the queuing problem.
This congestion is cause for concern, as frustrated drivers are moving into the middle of the road to avoid the queue, which is endangering drivers coming into Harrogate, not to mention the increased pollution being generated in an already highly polluted area.
Nick Bentley, Knaresborough
Council pay rises would be a joke
Your piece on
Harrogate Borough Council pay rises is an insult to the people who live in the town.
Harrogate Borough Council is the worst council for spending money on its ‘vanity project’ council buildings. It is a joke.
The council ignores important issues that its council tax payers have. The people sitting in their ivory tower don’t deserve anything.
Susan Mitchell, Harrogate
Stop these proposed changes to Harrogate
My husband and I enjoy the articles from the Stray Ferret: they are accurate, to the point, and echo the views of people like myself who have lived most of my life within a five-to-seven mile radius of Harrogate town centre.
We have, nevertheless, travelled abroad many times during our 52 years of married life living in close proximity to this lovely town. Some of the proposed changes to the town are just not appropriate - if only Councillor Mackenzie would listen to the views of residents of Harrogate and its outskirts. Surely, the government cannot allow them to go ahead?
Pat Perry, Kirkby Overblow
The great rewilding debate: grass-cutting or cost-cutting?
I love the long and lovely wild verges - they don’t need to be cut at all, except at junctions to let drivers exit side roads safely.
Helen Barclay, Harrogate
Do you really believe that this is anything to do with being eco friendly? It's about cost-cutting.
The grass verges where l live are prime dumping ground for dog excrement. The verges are unsightly and the result looks like we live in a dump.
Jen Dent, Harrogate
I love the council's efforts to allow biodiversity to gain ground on the Stray! Keep it up!
Ann Broderick, Harrogate
Deliberately planting colourful wildflowers brings the Stray to life. Looks fabulous.
Leaving roadside verges uncut and scruffy is just another lazy wheeze to short-change council taxpayers.
If you park your car next to them you get wet trying to get into your car in the morning. Several residents on Coppice Drive have taken the obvious action.
Tim Emmott, Harrogate
Wild verges looks amazing, nature always needs more help these days.
Perhaps a few wildflower seeds added will give it a lift for those who think it is just a scruffy look.
Encouraging wildlife in the centre of town is is very uplifting.
Jen Mackay, Harrogate
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Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.
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