A59 Archives - Page 7 of 10 - The Stray Ferret

Goldsborough gridlock brings ongoing misery to motorists

Queues of more than an hour have been reported once again this week due to temporary traffic lights on the edge of Knaresborough.

Three-way lights have been in place to allow Yorkshire Water to carry out work on the A59 near the junction with the A658, near Goldsborough.

The roadworks began affecting the busy commuter route at the beginning of October and have been regularly causing long tailbacks.

And while there has been some relief, with the lights being turned off at different periods throughout the day, it has inevitably caused traffic chaos.

This week drivers have reported queues all the way back to junction 47 of the A1(M) and beyond.

It has also had a major impact on pupils and teachers getting to and from Goldsborough CE Primary School.

With the roadworks due to last until November 27, many people have expressed frustration on social media.

@northyorkscc Could you ask your Highways Department what the point of the temporary traffic lights are at the Goldsborough/Knaresborough A59 roundabout please? The traffic is currently backed up to the A1 at Allerton Park yet there are no roadworks on the A59!!

— Alan Huddart (@alanhuddart) November 8, 2022

One woman wrote on a Facebook group:

“Not helpful when it’s a guessing game every morning to see if they are on or not going to work in York daily.”

Another added:

“50 minutes it’s just taken me to get from Boroughbridge to King James School!”

The Stray Ferret contacted Yorkshire Water for comment but has not had a response.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Here is this morning’s update on traffic and travel across the Harrogate district.

Spotted anything else? Email us the details and we’ll add it below to help others get around this morning.

Harrogate

The long-term gas works on Crescent Road In Harrogate town centre are due to be paused this week.

Motorists are still unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction and traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right but by next week the restrictions should have ended.

Roadworks near the Harrogate Town ground on Wetherby Road in Harrogate are due to end today.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, two sets of traffic lights will be active on Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.

The top of Woodfield Road is also closed to traffic leaving Skipton Road, though open to vehicles leaving Woodfield onto Skipton Road. Those works are scheduled to end today.

Kingsley Drive remains closed between Birstwith Road and Rydal Road until November 6. There are also temporary traffic lights on Kingsley Road while work continues to create an access road to the new housing development.

Knaresborough

Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.

Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

Kirkgate Road in central Knaresborough is closed today for works to the kerbs.

Several sets of two-way traffic lights are in place along the A6055 Boroughbridge Road between Knaresborough and Minskip.

Branton Lane in Great Ouseburn is closed until next Friday while Yorkshire Water lays a new main.

Ripon and Nidderdale

In Ripon, roadworks are due to conclude on Heckler Lane and New Road today.

Stumps Lane in Darley is closed for another week for a sewer to be connected.

Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

The road is closed and a diversion is in place via Pateley Bridge, the B6451 Dacre, Menwith Hill Road, Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Fell Beck Bridge remains closed for works until November 6, with a diversion in place via Burnt Yates and Summerbridge.

Trains and buses

Rail operator Northern is not reporting any significant problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning but the live departure and arrival board for Harrogate shows the 7.09am Northern service to York is currently running seven minutes late.

The Harrogate Bus Company is not currently reporting any cancellations or significant delays on its services. You can get updates here.

An early warning for you: there are some changes to bus timetables on the horizon, taking effect from Sunday, November 6. Most of these are minor, but in a more significant change, the 36 will no longer offer ‘neighbourhood journeys’ from Bilton and Jennyfield to Leeds.

The bus company said this is down to low passenger numbers. Passengers can still get tickets through to Leeds if they start their journeys on the 2A, 2B or 3.

Check the full details on the Harrogate Bus Company website.

Two excavators stolen from Knaresborough building site

Two excavators have been stolen from a building site just off the A59 at Knaresborough.

The machines were taken last night from Swallowtail Way, which is near the Trinity Fields development and Aldi supermarket.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

The machines are both yellow — one is five tonnes and the other is nine tonnes.

A police statement said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for sightings of any suspicion people or vehicles in the vicinity of this location, or any sightings of the stolen excavators following the offence.”

Anyone with information can email Hazel.Simms-Williamson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Hazel Simms.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220185371.

New owners prepare to open cafe at Millstones on A59 near Harrogate

A landmark restaurant on a major road near Harrogate will reopen under new ownership this autumn.

The former Millstones restaurant on the A59 near Kettlesing has been bought by Mark and Teresa Trickett, who have already begun work on the site.

As well as renovating the accommodation to create a family home, they are transforming the restaurant into a large cafe, with new kitchen, toilets and more.

It will be known as the Outside Inn, but the site will continue to be known as Millstones in recognition of its history.

Mark said:

“It’s a behemoth of a coffee shop. Most days we’ve been working until two in the morning for the last six weeks.

“What we’re doing to it reflects our personality: it’s not on trend, it’s just us – an eclectic mix that we like.

“I’m hoping when we open the doors people will say they like it and they will come back for another cup of tea.”

The couple have run a motorhome business for the last few years. However, they were looking for a new site after struggling to get the right permissions to operate the business from their home, just half a mile from Millstones.

Mark approached the former owner of Millstones, which was on the market, and the sale completed in July. The couple got straight to work with their plans for the site.

Aiming to be as sustainable as possible, they are re-using as many of the fittings as possible, such as repurposing skirting boards to create a counter in the ladies’ toilets.

Millstones was well-known over many years for catering for large groups, from local organisations to coach trips passing by on the A59.

More recently, it had begun offering fish and chips, and had added a farm shop. However, Mark and Teresa plan to simplify what the venue offers and ensure it is good value, with Teresa drawing on her previous experience in the catering industry.

The couple said they hope to open the doors in the next few weeks. They have a clear vision of what they want the business to offer, as Mark explained:

“We’ll have a bit of retail but not a farm shop with veg and a butcher. If you’re trying to integrate into a community, you don’t want to tread on toes, and there are three or four farm shops around here already.

“The one thing Millstones did excel at was the Sunday carvery. We’re trying to reignite that for this side of Harrogate.

“We’re very nervous, because of the way things are going with the economy, but we’re excited because we feel we’ve got something where people would genuinely want to come.

“It’s my wife’s baby. She wanted somewhere that people could come and have value. If people can come here and have tea and cake for £5, £6, £7, and it’s good, they can walk out of here thinking, ‘that wasn’t half bad’.”

Council sets aside contingency ‘sum’ to cover Kex Gill costs

County council officials have set aside contingency funding for a major realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill amid soaring inflation.

The project is set to cost £68.8 million and construction is due to start in December this year.

North Yorkshire County Council awarded a £50.7 million to John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd, an Irish civil engineering and construction firm, to build the scheme.

County council officials said £18.1 million would be spent on areas such as project management, design and land acquisition.

The project is set to be funded by a £56.1 million grant from the Department for Transport, with the council covering the rest from its reserves.

Gary Fielding, the council’s director for strategic resources, warned previously that the “burden of risk” for major projects, such as the realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill, will fall on the authority amid soaring inflation.

The Stray Ferret asked the authority if it had set aside any funding to cover the project going over-budget.

Richard Binks, head of major projects and infrastructure at the council, said it had included within its funding allocation “a sum for contingencies to cover any additional eventualities during the project”.

He added:

“The total of £68.8m has been allocated to the project to realign the A59 at Kex Gill.

“The Department for Transport is providing grant funding of £56.1m. The remaining £12.7m has been allocated from North Yorkshire County Council’s capital reserves.

“Costs beyond the main contract include project development, design, works supervision, land acquisition, statutory procedures and utility diversions.”

Contractors will move on site in December to clear the moorland by late February next year to avoid the bird nesting season. An estimated completion date is May 2025.

The A59 at Kex Gill, near Blubberhouses, is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton. Since 2000, the route has been closed 12 times following landslips.

The project has faced numerous delays and following tender returns, the estimated cost of the scheme increased by £7.2m to £68.8m, which the council attributes to due to inflation affecting constructions costs.

It therefore approved an increase in its allocated funding from £5.5m to £12.7m, given the DfT grant is fixed.

Will Harrogate cycling schemes ever get out of first gear?

A cycling group has expressed frustration amid ongoing uncertainty over the timetable to increase active travel in the Harrogate district.

The council previously said designs to create better cycling routes on Victoria Avenue and the A59 were “likely” to be revealed this summer. It also said a consultation on Oatlands Drive cycling improvements was “likely to start soon after” Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee bank holiday weekend in June.

But a fortnight ago Councillor Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transport at North Yorkshire County Council, said an Oatlands consultation was now likely to start in October and a consultation on Victoria Avenue and the A59 were due in the New Year.

The Stray Ferret asked the council why the consultations had been delayed.

Melisa Burnham, North Yorkshire County Council’s area highways manager, said in a statement:

“We want to ensure that all road users fully understand the strategic links between all the proposed projects in Harrogate to enable them to comment with a clear voice.

“To ensure this, we have taken the time necessary to draft detailed engagement papers. Details of the consultation will be announced soon. We have explained this situation to interested parties.”

Victoria Avenue is one of the routes designated for cycling improvements.

Councillors frequently talk about creating a joined-up, off-road cycle route from Harrogate train station to Cardale Park, which would require completion of the Station Gateway scheme and the Otley Road and Victoria Avenue cycle routes, as well as the prohibition of traffic on Beech Grove. None of these projects is making noticeable progress.

Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said the speed of change was particularly disappointing because funding for projects was in place. He said:

“We have been waiting so long for this. It’s frustrating that every time we seem to be making progress, the dates slip back.

“We need to see resources dedicated to carrying out the work as soon as possible.”

Still no word about the Beech Grove & Otley Road consultation promised in September 2022.
Countdown: 6 days late https://t.co/tvpBidDlsF

— Harrogate Cycle Action (@cycle_harrogate) October 7, 2022

Mr Douglas also highlighted how, in contrast to delays on cycling schemes, work was due to start on the £68m scheme to realign Kex Gill for motorists. He added:

“All we can do is keep pressing for change and hope things start to move more quickly.”

‘Green gap’ will protect villages from 3,000-home Maltkiln scheme, says council

A “green gap” proposed for a 3,000-home scheme in the Harrogate district will protect surrounding villages from the huge housing plans, council officials have claimed.

Ever since being revealed five years ago, a key concern of the proposed site in the Green Hammerton area has been the impact on existing residents who fear the new homes will put pressure on local services with a “devastating effect on the community”.

Harrogate Borough Council is behind the development and said it recognised that separating the site from existing communities was “very important”.

It has proposed a “green gap” to the north east of the site which will act as an area of safeguarded land and aims to “protect the distinctive rural character of existing villages”.

Residents have argued this area of land should be expanded further north and south to also protect the nearby villages of Whixley and Cattal.

However, the council has rejected these calls, saying it does not believe there is “sufficient justification” to do so and that it did not want to restrict a potential expansion of the 3,000-home site to be named Maltkiln.

The council said in a report:

“Development of Maltkiln is a long term project, with delivery over a period of some 30 years.

“Whilst there is no expansion planned for the current Local Plan period, the council does not wish to prejudice potential for future expansion in the longer term by creating a buffer around the proposed settlement boundary.”

The council also argued that safeguarding more land to the north and south would result in a “green belt by the back door” and not accord with national planning policy. Green belt land is protected areas where developments are only allowed in special circumstances.

The council added:

“A strategic green gap on the eastern edge of Maltkiln is proposed in order to prevent coalescence and protect the distinctive rural character of existing villages.

“It is also a key part of achieving Maltkiln’s vision to be a vibrant new community in its own right, which provides new services and complements existing villages.”

The proposals for Maltkiln include two primary schools and land for a secondary school, as well as shops, employment space and a GP surgery which will be centred around Cattal train station.

The council said it chose this location due to its transport links with the York-Harrogate-Leeds railway line and the A59.

A six-week consultation on the development plan document is planned for October when residents will be asked to share their views on areas including roads and public transport.

After this, the document will then be submitted to the government for public examination.

Council warns of ‘high risks’ as Kex Gill cost soars to £69m

County council officials today warned that the “burden of risk” for major projects, such as the realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill, will fall on the authority amid soaring inflation.

The cost of the scheme to build a diversion on the A59, near Blubberhouses, has increased to £68.8 million.

Senior North Yorkshire county councillors today approved a further £7.2 million to the project in order to cover the shortfall caused by a rise in inflation.

It takes the council’s contribution to the major highways project to £12.7 million after the Department for Transport capped its contribution at £56.1 million.

Gary Fielding, the council’s director for strategic resources, told councillors today that the reduction in funding from ministers combined with inflation soaring would leave high risk on the council for capital schemes such as Kex Gill.

He said:

“In terms of capital, you are seeing two things happening in general and I think it is right that members are aware of the risks.

“We have got allocations in government funding across the board actually reducing in quantum for the forthcoming period and in parallel with that we have got inflation rates taking off.

“So what you have actually got is a much reduced spending power going forward and a higher profile of risk based upon major schemes where the burden of risk will fall 100% with the council.”

A report before councillors today warned that any “unforeseen events” with the Kex Gill scheme which lead to increased cost would fall upon the authority.

Cllr Gareth Dadd, executive member for finance at the council, added:

“I wouldn’t say I’m pleased to be having to recommend a further £7.2 million to the Kex Gill project, but nonetheless it shows our commitment to major road improvement.”

The project will see a diversion built west of Blubberhouses on the stretch of road, which has been blighted by a history of landslips. The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton.

Council officials expect work to start on the scheme next year and continue until 2025.

North Yorkshire County Council previously said it hoped the reroute would start in autumn last year and take 15 months.

Ahead of appointing a contractor for the scheme, a full business case will be submitted to the Department for Transport.

Kex Gill realignment cost increases to £68m

The cost of a county council project to realign the A59 at Kex Gill has increased to £68.8 million.

A North Yorkshire County Council report said the authority faces a £7.2 million shortfall on the cost due to a rise in inflation.

The project will see a diversion built west of Blubberhouses on the stretch of road, which has been blighted by a history of landslips. The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton.

County council officials originally estimated that the scheme would cost £61.6 million.

Of that figure, £56.1 million worth of funding has been granted by the Department for Transport and the remaining cost will be covered by the authority.

However, in a report due before an executive meeting on Tuesday, the council has now said it faces a further shortfall of £7.2 million in funding for the scheme.

It means the council has had to increase the funding it is allocating to the scheme to £12.7 million.

As a result, the council intends to use £7.2 million from its Brexit reserve account in order to fund the scheme.

It said:

“Should alternative funding resources be secured, whether in part or in full, the reserve provision will be relinquished.”

Council officials expect work to start on the scheme next year and continue until 2025.

North Yorkshire County Council previously said it hoped the reroute would start in autumn last year and take 15 months.

Ahead of appointing a contractor for the scheme, a full business case will be submitted to the Department for Transport.

Ex-Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott escapes driving ban

Former Leeds Rhinos head coach and Harrogate resident Brian McDermott has escaped a driving ban after arguing he needs his car to scout players.

McDermott, 52, of Knox Mill Close, was in York Magistrates Court yesterday after being caught driving his BMW above the 60mph speed limit on the A59 close to Bolton Abbey last year.

The coach, who also represented England and Great Britain during his playing career, pleaded guilty but asked the court to waive the three points as it would take him to 12 points and an automatic ban.

In a submission to the court, Mr McDermott said he unexpectedly found himself out of work for 18 months after his previous club Toronto Wolfpack went out of business due to covid in March 2020.

During this time he had been living from savings, which were now close to running out.

In October 2021, he took a job as head coach at Featherstone Rovers who play in the second-tier of the sport.

McDermott said he drives over 40,000 miles a year for the role, which involves work in the community, travelling to amateur clubs and scouting players.

He said he was the only person at Featherstone able to watch players from other clubs.

Without the car, he said he could potentially lose his job, which would mean he’d struggle to pay child support and rent.

Special reasons

Magistrates said they were satisfied that Mr McDermott had ‘special reasons’ for contesting the penalty points.

However, they said the reasons given were not appropriate “in all of the circumstances” so they issued the three penalty points, taking him to 12 overall, but allowed him to continue driving.

He was also fined £307 and asked to pay a victim’s surcharge of £34 and costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Read more:

Harrogate

Knaresborough

Ripon and Nidderdale

Trains and buses

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Special reasons