A61 Archives - Page 5 of 7 - The Stray Ferret

Masham woman sets up fundraiser for bus driver involved in fatal A61 collision

A woman from Masham has set up a fundraising page for the bus driver seriously injured in a fatal collision on the A61 Ripon Road this month.

Daria Bartienieva, 35, her son, Ihor Bartienieva, aged 6, and Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, died after a three-vehicle crash that involved a double decker 36 bus on the road near South Stainley on September 3.

It was the second fatal collision on the road on consecutive weekends.

Katie Sills, 23, told the Stray Ferret she had followed the fundraiser for 15-year-old Liza Bartienieva, who was orphaned following the accident.

It has so far raised more than £41,000 and Ms Sills decided to launch a similar appeal for the driver of the 36 bus known as ‘Bob’ because she had not seen anything being done on his behalf.

Ms Sills said she does not know Bob but wanted to help in any capacity she could:

“I just thought to myself ‘he’s a man with a family, bills and probably rent or a mortgage’.

“I’m not entirely sure what the money will be used for, but I imagine just everyday living if he’s not working.

“What he saw would’ve been absolutely horrendous and now he’s left with physical and mental trauma.”

After setting up the GoFundMe page on Sunday, which has now raised over £2,000, a friend of the bus driver reached out to Ms Sills.

“His friend said he’d seen my post about the fundraiser and that the man does not have social media, so he passed on my phone number and he text me not long after.”

The man told Ms Sills “I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and consideration”. She said:

“He told me in the text that the only reason he was working that Sunday was so he could take a day off to drive his son to university the following week.

“He also said he’d always be indebted to me.”

The initial target was £1,000 but now that has been surpassed, Ms Sills said she’d like to keep the page up to raise as much as she can.

A fun day will also be held at Ripon Bowling Club this Sunday to continue raising money for those affected by the collision – including the bus driver and Liza.

It will include cake stalls, a raffle, a live DJ and a magician.

The event will run from 1pm to 5pm.

It is free to attend but asks people to donate what they can.

Calls for action after four deaths on main Ripon to Harrogate road

Residents and councillors have called for action after the latest spate of deaths on the main road between Ripon and Harrogate.

A mother and two children were killed on the A61 Ripon Road last Sunday, eight days after a 59-year-old man died.

Both incidents occurred near South Stainley — prompting calls for safety measures around the village, including a reduction in the 60mph speed limit.

South Stainley resident Rebecca Brewins lost both parents when their vehicle was hit by a lorry on the A61 at South Stainley 11 years ago.

Ms Brewins and husband Carl have contacted North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority, Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon and South Stainley-with-Cayton Parish Council to enlist support following the latest deaths.

The Brewins, whose house is directly off the A61, said they were aware of at least seven fatal crashes on the road around South Stainley in recent years and the “horrendous” death toll could no longer be ignored.

Mr Brewins said the volume of traffic and the wide range of A61 road users that include tractors, cyclists, lorries and cars created particular problems on the winding route.

The short overtaking lane on a bend.

The road is mainly single carriageway but a short overtaking lane on a bend near the Brewins’ home exacerbated problems by encouraging reckless manoeuvres and sudden bursts of speed, he added.

Mr Brewins said:

“The road is getting busier — we are getting more houses and more cars.

“If a strip of road a mile long outside your house has seven deaths, surely you have to do something.”

Ms Brewins said she was told after her parents died the accident statistics didn’t justify traffic calming measures.

But she said crashes were common on the A61, particularly between South Stainley and Ripley, where the speed limit is 60mph. The speed limit varies between 40mph and 60mph in the opposite direction towards Ripon.

Ms Brewins said the road was a constant source of worry:

“When my eldest daughter learned to drive I was a nervous wreck. She got an electric car so it wouldn’t stall when she pulled out on to the road.

“While the limit is 60mph it encourages people to constantly speed up and slam on their brakes.”

Traffic is allowed to drive at 60mph through the area.

Villagers ‘traumatised’ by fatal crashes

Jane Pickering, chairman of South Stainley-with-Cayton Parish Council, said villagers had been “traumatised” by the latest fatal accidents and frustrated by the lack of action.

She said villagers had tried to help victims while emergency services were on their way and were left overwhelmed by shock and grief.

Ms Pickering questioned why lower speeds were permitted in other villages along the route, such as Wormald Green, but South Stainley remained at 60mph. She said:

“We have been flagging this issue for years.

“I will be taking this up again on behalf of the parish until something is done about it.”

The 36 bus stop at South Stainley.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, a Liberal Democrat whose Masham and Fountains division includes South Stainley, pledged support.

She told the Stray Ferret on Tuesday:

“I have spoken to the chair of the parish council today, and assured her I will be doing all that I can at County Hall to support the introduction of as many traffic calming and speed control measures as are necessary to make the road safer and – I hope – to avoid any more tragic accidents.”

Speed review

The Stray Ferret asked the council for data on road accidents around South Stainley and what action it planned to take in light of the recent spate of deaths.

A council accident graph said there had been 10 fatal accidents on the A61 since 2007.

Barrie Mason, the council’s assistant director of highways and transformation, said road safety was a priority and his thoughts were with the families and friends of recent victims.

He said the council worked with road safety partners across the county to make the roads safer, adding:

“We recently committed to undertaking a series of speed limit reviews across the county and the A61, along with other routes, will be investigated to see whether existing speed limits are appropriate.

“We are liaising with North Yorkshire Police as investigations into the fatal accidents are carried out. We cannot comment further before these investigations are complete.”

A council spokesperson said signs indicating the number of casualties on the road were removed more than 10 years ago.

The spokesperson added:

“They quickly became out of date, and in that location deemed to be a potentially dangerous obstruction on the road.”

They added the council had received five complaints relating to road safety concerns on this stretch of road over the last year and “most” had been in the last week.

We also asked Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, for his views on what should be done but did not receive a response.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to last weekend’s crash and dashcam footage.

You can email Julie.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass on information for incident 12230166439.

Police name victims of fatal A61 crash near Ripon

The victims of a fatal crash on the A61 near Ripon have been named by police.

Daria Bartienieva, 35, her son, Ihor Bartienieva, aged 6, and Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, died after a three-vehicle crash that involved a double decker bus on Ripon Road near South Stainley at 2.20pm on Sunday (September 3).

It was the second fatal collision on the road between Ripon and Harrogate on consecutive weekends.

A North Yorkshire Police statement this afternoon added:

“All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon, North Yorkshire, at the time of the collision.

“Our thoughts are with their family members in the UK and Ukraine at this time.”

Holy Trinity Church in Ripon was open this afternoon for people to say prayers and light candles for the victims of the crash.

The church said in a post online:

“A space has been created where people can sit quietly, light a candle and write in a condolence book.

“There will be someone available to pray with you if you would like this.

“If you do come please keep quiet at this sensitive time.”

Two children and woman killed in collision between Ripon and Harrogate

Three people, including two children, were killed in a collision on the main road between Harrogate and Ripon yesterday.

A silver Vauxhall Meriva, a blue Toyota Aygo and a double-decker bus were involved in the incident near South Stainley at 2.20pm yesterday.

It was the second fatal collision on the A61 Ripon Road between Ripon and Harrogate on consecutive weekends.

North Yorkshire Police today said a woman and two children from the same vehicle died and appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage. Their names have not yet been revealed.

The force said in a statement:

“The Vauxhall and Toyota were travelling south towards Ripley and the bus was travelling in the opposite direction.

“Sadly, all three occupants of the Vauxhall Meriva, a woman in her 30s, a teenage girl and a six-year-old boy, died following the collision. Their next of kin have been informed and are receiving specialist support.

“The driver of the bus was taken to hospital with leg injuries, some of the bus passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital, and the two people in the Toyota were not injured.”

The road was closed to allow all emergency services to attend to the collision and for investigators to examine the scene. It reopened at around 11.30pm.

Officers are appealing to anyone who saw any of the vehicles prior to the collision or witnessed the collision to get in touch if they have not already spoken to officers.

They are also appealing to anyone who may have dashcam footage of the vehicles travelling along the A61 prior to the collision or of the collision itself, to get in touch.

You can email Julie.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident 12230166439.

Harewood Bridge set to reopen early?

Harewood Bridge near Harrogate could re-open earlier than expected after undergoing essential maintenance.

The grade-II listed structure, which is used by 17,000 vehicles a day, closed on July 26 and is due to reopen on August 24.

Its closure has led to 15-mile diversions and added 30 minutes to journey times.

The Stray Ferret contacted Leeds City Council today after hearing unofficial reports work was ahead of schedule and the bridge was on course to reopen a week early.

The council refused to rule out an early reopening but said nothing has been decided yet.

A spokesperson said:

“We are confident works to Harewood Bridge will be completed by the programmes original completion date of August 24 at the latest, subject to good weather and ground conditions.

“Should the work be completed ahead of this date this will be communicated. We would like to continue to thank people for their patience and apologise for any disruption to their journeys.”

The bridge over the River Wharfe on the A61 is a main route between Harrogate and Leeds.

Leeds City Council closed it for waterproofing, resurfacing and footpath repair work. The footway across the bridge has remained open to pedestrians and cyclists.

How to get around Harrogate during the Great Yorkshire Show

This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID.

Anyone needing to get around Harrogate and the surrounding areas is being advised to plan ahead this week.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected at the Great Yorkshire Show across its four days, and there will be changes on some routes to accommodate the additional traffic.

North Yorkshire Council’s highways area manager, Melisa Burnham, said:

“We work closely with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, its traffic management company and National Highways to agree a traffic management plan.

“We always ensure that roadworks on the main routes are kept to a minimum, with only emergency work permitted. Highways officers will monitor traffic on the routes and are available should they need to support the traffic management company.

“Whilst every effort is made to ensure that traffic flows efficiently, visitors to Harrogate should expect delays at peak times and plan their journeys accordingly.”

Here is your handy guide to the key points to remember from Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, July 15 – whether or not you’re going to the show.

Roads

A661 Wetherby Road: one way westbound from the Kestrel roundabout to Rudding Lane from 6.30am on each day of the show. This reverses in the afternoon from 2pm until 8pm, taking traffic away from the showground. If traffic eases earlier, the one-way system may be taken down before then.

A658: One way inbound towards the showground from Thistle Hill near Knaresborough to the Kestrel roundabout, from 6.30am for the mornings only. No one-way system during the afternoon.

B6164: Traffic arriving from the north via the A1(M) will be directed off at junction 46, before going through Kirk Deighton and on to North Deighton on the B6164. It will then turn right onto the A661 near Spofforth and follow the road to the showground.

A59 Skipton Road: Show visitors will be directed from the Curious Cow roundabout onto the B6161 to Beckwithshaw, where they will turn onto the B6162 Otley Road.

Parking

Traffic approaching from the west and north will follow the ‘blue zone’ directions to the car parks via Hookstone Drive.

Those coming from the east via the A661 will be directed down Rudding Lane into the ‘green zone’ car parks.

Traffic arriving from the south will follow ‘brown zone’ directions along the A658 towards Rudding Lane and into the car parks from there.

Public transport

A free shuttle bus operates every 10 minutes from the bus station in central Harrogate to the white gate at the showground. It begins at 7.20am and runs until 7pm.

Passengers arriving in Harrogate by train will be able to catch the shuttle bus. Those arriving at Hornbeam Park can follow a signposted walking route to the showground gates.

Walking and cycling

Pedestrians can follow signs from Hornbeam Park to the showground.

There is secure cycle parking at the blue and white gates for people arriving on two wheels.

A61 reopens after gas leak at Ripley

The A61 at Ripley has reopened this morning after a collision involving a lawn mower caused a gas leak last night.

As well as closing the road, emergency services advised nearby residents to close their windows.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a crew was called to the scene just after 6.30pm.

Its incident log said:

“A crew from Harrogate and an officer from Ripon responded to reports of a grass cutting machine that had impacted a large gas main and caused it to rupture creating a significant leak.

“Crews stood by and assisted with traffic management whilst gas engineers excavated to locate the leak and worked to isolate the supply.”

Northern Gas Networks was on the scene soon after and firefighters issued advice on social media.

https://twitter.com/SierraZero4/status/1675929780955258904?s=20

Traffic between Harrogate and Ripon was diverted through the village as engineers worked to repair the rupture.

The road is open this morning.

Hopes for Ripon pub to reopen after sudden closure

One of Ripon’s largest and most prominently located pubs is seeking a new long-term tenant after being shut since early May.

South Lodge’s sudden closure prompted speculation on social media about its future.

A spokesperson for the Heineken-owned pub business Star Pubs & Bars, which is marketing the premises on Harrogate Road at an annual rent of £29,775, told the Stray Ferret:

“We have had to close South Lodge on a temporary basis. We hope to open it again in the next few weeks with the same temporary licensees.

“Longer term, we are seeking a suitable person to take on the lease.”

The spokesperson added:

“South Lodge is in a great location half a mile south of the (city) centre in a desirable, residential area. It is a stunning building and, in addition to serving food and drink, can host live entertainment, pub games and pool. “

The pub, which stands in its own grounds and has a beer garden, is located by the busy A61 on the route of the 36 bus service between Ripon and Harrogate.

In its search for somebody to take on the lease, Star Pubs & Bars said it was looking for a person with extensive experience in the hospitality business.

‘I can’t ever accept the hard reality of losing you’: wife’s tribute to taxi driver killed in Harrogate crash

The family of a man killed in a crash near Harrogate in the early hours of Sunday morning has paid tribute to him.

Masum Miah, 45, died at the scene of the collision, which occurred at 1.20am on the A61 Harrogate Road at Dunkeswick, near Harewood Bridge.

It involved a grey BMW 3 Series and a black Peugeot Partner taxi driven by Mr Miah, from Shipley.

His wife Ambia said:

“With a heavy, broken heart I will have to say Allah Hafiz (goodbye) to you. I can’t ever accept the hard reality of losing you in this tragic, sudden crash.

“I can’t promise you I’ll be okay, but I promise I will bring our kids up the way we planned together. You’ll always be missed because of the way you were humble, funny, loving, caring, and most of all a wonderful husband and father.

“‘For sure it is god who created us and to him we shall return. You have gone, but will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace and our next meeting will be in Jannah. In Sha Allah.”

The scene of the fatal collision.

Dashcam appeal

North Yorkshire Police is continuing to appeal to anyone who may have seen the collision or who may have dashcam footage to come forward.

You can call 101, select option 2 and ask for Steve Hawkins or him at Steve.Hawkins@northyorkshire.police.uk.

Quote reference number 12230111568.

Taxi driver killed in crash near Harewood Bridge

A man died in a crash near Harewood Bridge that led to the closure of the A61 for more than 12 hours yesterday.

Police said today the man, who has not been named, was a taxi driver in his 40s.

He died at the scene of the crash, which occurred at about 1.20am yesterday morning on the A61 Harrogate Road at Dunkeswick. The road reopened at 3.20pm.

North Yorkshire Police is now appealing for witnesses to the collision, which involved a grey BMW and a black Peugeot taxi.

It said in a statement today:

“Sadly, the driver of the taxi, a man in his 40s died at the scene. His family have been informed and are receiving support form specially trained officers.

“The driver of the BMW, a man in his 20s remains in hospital.

“The stretch of road was closed until 3.20pm on Sunday afternoon to allow officers to investigate the scene.

Anyone who saw the collision or has dashcam footage is urged to dial 101, select option 2 and ask for Steve Hawkins.

Alternatively, you can email DC 55 Steve Hawkins on Steve.Hawkins@northyorkshire.police.uk

Quote reference number 12230111568 when passing information.

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Villagers ‘traumatised’ by fatal crashes

Speed review

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Roads

Parking

Public transport

Walking and cycling

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Dashcam appeal

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