20mph limit Archives - The Stray Ferret

Stray Views: Why no 20mph limit outside my children’s primary school?

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. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment following the recent publication of a news story announcing traffic restrictions and pedestrian crossings outside schools in our town.

While I wholeheartedly support efforts to enhance the safety of school zones, I am shocked and puzzled that Willow Tree Primary School has not been included in these vital plans.

Willow Tree Primary School is one of the largest primary schools in our community, serving a significant number of students and families. It is strategically situated on a main and busy route through our town, making it a crucial focal point for ensuring the safety of our children and all pedestrians. It is baffling to me that, in terms of a risk assessment, Willow Tree Primary School has not been considered as a priority.

As a concerned parent, I witness the alarming and dangerous behaviour of speeding HGV vehicles on most days during the school run. It is evident that the current traffic situation outside our school poses a severe and imminent risk to the safety of our children. It is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs, and we must take proactive measures to prevent such a tragedy.

I am eager to understand the rationale behind the decision to exclude Willow Tree Primary School from these critical traffic safety plans. The safety of our children should always be our top priority.

I have emailed to request that the local authorities reconsider their decision and include Willow Tree Primary School in the upcoming traffic safety measures. I believe that our school’s omission from the plans raises questions about the fairness and equity of the decision-making process.

Pippa Cox, Harrogate

Why have 20mph where it isn’t needed?

Can we please ensure a modicum of common sense is used as we run the risk of an ever increasing number of roads becoming 20mph zones?

Panel Ash Road has for many years been a 20mph limit, which is entirely appropriate given the nearby schools. But can we please recognise how pointless and stupid this is (and how infuriating some drivers are) when they pootle along at that speed during evenings, weekends, school holidays and the wee small hours.

There are no pedestrians and it serves no tangible benefit. Quite aside from being safe, people get so exasperated, they overtake in an unsafe manner.

There is now an argument in favour of including Otley road in this scheme and as someone who lives on Cold Bath Road, quite aside from the perpetual road works that bring traffic to a grinding halt, I have to navigate three sets of lights before heading out toward Beckwithshaw. That rather makes speeding an impossibility. So on the rare occasion we can actually move at 30mph, it’s nothing short of a luxury.

If we read of routine accidents and deaths because of reckless drivers near a school, I would support the argument completely. But to do so, “just because” is simply no argument at all. Harrogate struggles with congestion as it is. Slowing it further without incredibly good supporting evidence and sound logic is simply foolish.

Mark Fuller, Harrogate

Diesel trains?

Why are diesel trains still being used to Harrogate, when Skipton and Ilkley have had electric multiple units since the 1960’s?

The Government needs accelerate the electrification of the Harrogate Line and cascade the excellent redundant Class 379 EMU’s North.

Clive Broadhead, Harrogate

Harrogate’s rough sleepers embarrassing

I have been reading stories regards homeless people sleeping rough in Harrogate.[Rough sleepers evicted from Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens]

I moved to Harrogate over a year ago and am shocked and appalled by the amount of drugs, alcohol and people sleeping rough here. My family came to stay over at the weekend and going into town it was nothing short of embarrassing. There were drunks hanging around near McDonald’s shouting and swearing, what appeared to be drug takers near the bridge not far from the bus station and two men sleeping rough on benches near the cenotaph.

Harrogate has one of the highest council tax bands in the country but it is beyond me as to why?

I will be leaving Harrogate as soon as I can as it is dangerous, noisy and down right embarrassing. Such a pity.

Tracy Baldwin, Harrogate

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.

Stray Views: Unelected council officers should not be making planning decisions

Your piece today (councillors raise concerns about the role of planning committees) highlighted that fact that planning officers are now making most of the decisions on applications.

This is just one example of many of the way in which our elected councillors are being side-lined and it is so wrong. As officers are unelected they are barely accountable for the decisions they make and in fact they are unreachable and almost immune from the views of us, the residents and tax payers.

We vote for our representatives, we hold them to account at the ballot box, and it is they who should be making these decisions.

Tom Paul, Pannal

A more flexible approach to 20mph limit

I agree all schools should have a 20mph speed limit but only in the hours where danger may be present. In Scotland there are flashing road signs for the relevant periods during the day and school term times. For the rest of the day and school holidays it reverts to 30mph.

In addition children should be taught more road sense. In Ripon we have a situation where at the end of the school day staff have to stand outside the school gates and supervise 11+ pupils leaving school!

Sandra Theobald, Ripon

EV car spaces should be for EV cars only

I agree that 10 chargers is a bit much for Chapel Street at the moment but it’s wrong to suggest its OK for non-evs to park there if they are empty.

You could say the same for disabled parking bays but that’s obviously wrong. It would be better to have chargers at the long stay carpark off York Road.

Ralph Armsby, Knaresborough

Big thank you for 10k Race for Life

Please thank everyone on duty at the Harrogate Stray 9/7/2023.
Unfortunately I signed up for the 10k walking but my asthma got the better of me and wasn’t able to finish. The medics were called to me at the 7k mark to whom I thank.
To hold an event like this successfully and safe depends on volunteers
Many thanks to the Marshal who walked with me as I was the last of 10k walkers.

Margaret Beckingham, Harrogate