Andrew Jones Archives - Page 5 of 21

Lib Dem candidate accuses Tories of overseeing Harrogate Station Gateway ‘fiasco’

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat’s parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has attacked the ruling local Conservatives for the £11.2 million Station Gateway “fiasco”.

The scheme looks dead in the water after a legal challenge this week prompted North Yorkshire Council to say it had revoked its decision to approve the scheme and seek legal advice.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones said it meant the deadline to spend the cash “is certain to expire” and the gateway was now a “dead scheme”.

Mr Jones accused the Lib Dems, who control the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee that advises North Yorkshire Council, of “weak local leadership”.

But Mr Gordon laid the blame squarely at the door of the Conservatives.

He said:

“The Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council dreamt up the scheme, the Conservative-run council spend £2 million on consultants for this scheme, the Conservative-run council ignored residents, businesses, and the Lib Dem councillors concerns and as a result they have jeopardised this investment in our area. We deserve so much better.

“The facts are that three times the residents of Harrogate have rejected the current gateway scheme, we know that 74% of local businesses were opposed to it, and that countless community groups including the civic society were opposed too.

“We need a bold and innovative comprehensive integrated transport plan for Harrogate, not the scraps of piece-meal funding pots that don’t join up. We deserve proper investment and an MP who will be vocal in fighting for it.”

Both the Lib Dems and the Tories are now calling for the gateway funding, which was awarded through the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, to be spent on other projects in Harrogate.

However, the council has previously indicated the funding must be spent on this scheme or risk being lost.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP calls for police talks on remembrance parades

Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP Andrew Jones has written to North Yorkshire’s chief constable asking her to reconsider the force’s approach to this year’s remembrance parades.

North Yorkshire Police has said it will no longer provide traffic management for parades, including those on Remembrance Sunday, ending a practice that has lasted for decades.

Knaresborough Royal British Legion has said the decision threatened this year’s parade in the town from taking place.

Mr Jones has called for the police to continue to provide the service this year, as there is little time for alternative arrangements, and then work with community groups so they can take over in future.

North Yorkshire Police claims its decision is due to changes to the law in 2004 and subsequent guidance from professional bodies representing police. It also says it is now out-of-step with other police forces which ceased traffic management of remembrance parades many years ago.

Remembrance Sunday in Knaresboroug. Picture: Charlotte Gale

Mr Jones wrote to North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe asking her to review the force’s decision and reinstate police support at remembrance parades.

His office said today chief constable Lisa Winward had replied “outlining the legal position and the guidance from professional bodies”.

Mr Jones has asked the chief constable asking her to reinstate police traffic management for remembrance parades this year.

He said:

“Remembrance is about our public services coming together and facilitating a collective act of tribute not just to those who have fallen in our armed forces but those in the emergency services who have given their lives that we can be free.

“The parades are an integral part of this and an important tradition that will be lost without traffic management.

“The sudden decision by North Yorkshire Police has endangered that tradition and left little time to put in place alternative arrangements.”

Recognising the police want to stop traffic management duties, Mr Jones has asked Ms Winward to meet with him and parade organisers to discuss “a managed handover of traffic management to volunteers, community groups or council staff”.

He said:

“If the police want to stop traffic management for remembrance it is an operational decision. I think it is a poor decision but in the final analysis it is their decision to take.

“But the sudden announcement means there is little opportunity to save this year’s parades. That is why I am asking them to reconsider the approach for this year and then work with community groups to ensure they have the capacity and knowledge to provide the support for future years.

“I am hopeful that by taking a constructive and collaborative approach we can save these much-loved parts of our remembrance in which the police join and in which we remember the fallen among their number too.”

Volunteers begin testing River Nidd water quality

Volunteers lined the banks of the River Nidd and its tributaries this week to test water quality as part of a major clean-up campaign.

Nidd Action Group coordinated the activity as part of a bid to achieve bathing water status, which would require organisations to take measures to improve water quality.

It follows concerns about the state of the river and reports of bathers falling ill at Knaresborough Lido.

Nidd Action Group includes conservationists, anglers, academics and residents. Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones is also supporting the initiative by gathering data on the number of people using the river at the Lido.

On Thursday afternoon, 40 volunteers dipped test kits into the Nidd at various points from the upper reaches at Scar House, north of Pateley Bridge, right down to Moor Monkton, close to where the Nidd joins the River Ouse.

Volunteers learning to take samples last month.

A second round of sampling will take place late next month before a bid for bathing water status is submitted to the government.

David Clayden, chairman of Nidd Action Group, said this week’s sampling appeared to go well.

He added:

“The weather was kind to us, unlike the previous very wet day. The river was running quite high, but I’ve had no reports of any incidents.

“All the samples in their sterilised bottles have been assembled, along with the documentation and the data collected at the river.

“Samples are being analysed in the accredited laboratory in Lichfield, and further samples will be sent to another laboratory on Monday for less urgent analysis.

A second round of sampling will take place late next month in the same locations but in different weather and river conditions.

Bilton Conservation Group volunteers sampling at Oak Beck on Thursday.

Shirley Hare and Warren Considine with a sample from Oak Beck.

Mr Clayden said the results would then be shared and “we will identify any inferences that can be drawn, and discuss any actions, beneficial to the river, that might be taken”.

Sampling took place ar Scar House Reservoir, Lofthouse, How Stean Gorge, Low Sikes, Ramsgill, Wath, Pateley Bridge, Glasshouses, Summerbridge, Birstwith, Crag Hill Farm, Ripley Beck, Killinghall, along Oak beck in Bilton, Nidd Viaduct, Knaresborough, Crimple Beck, Little Ribston, Hunsingore and Moor Monkton

Mr Clayden commended the volunteers for their commitment and thanked Yorkshire Dales River Trust, a charity based in Pateley Bridge. for assembling the sampling kits and the Environment Agency staff who also undertook sampling.

Andrew Jones MP urges police to continue Remembrance Day traffic management

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has called for police to continue providing traffic management for Remembrance Day parades.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed yesterday it will no longer close roads or manage traffic for Remembrance Day parades in the county.

Knaresborough Royal British Legion has said its annual parade along the High Street is in jeopardy as a result of the decision, which could threaten other local parades on November 12 and in subsequent years.

Elliot Foskett, North Yorkshire’s assistant chief constable, said the decision was based on national guidance that will allow police to focus on fighting crime.

Conservative MP Mr Jones today called for a rethink. He said:

“This decision from North Yorkshire Police has taken everyone by surprise. I am both surprised and disappointed.

“Every year in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Starbeck and further afield hundreds line the streets to watch parades to war memorials. Simply put, it is part of the fabric and tradition of our community remembrance.

“I have contacted Zoë Metcalfe, police, fire and crime commissioner, asking her to speak with the leadership at North Yorkshire Police and reinstate the force’s assistance with closing roads to allow parades to take place.”

Lib Dem leader criticises ‘outrageous’ decision

Councillor Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader in Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the police’s decision as “outrageous”.

She has also written to Conservative Ms Metcalfe.

Cllr Pat Marsh

Cllr Marsh’s letter says:

“This seems a ridiculous decision and I really hope you reverse it, nobody I have spoken to can understand the logic behind your decision.

“Please can you reconsider this so we can all pay our respects safely to those who gave their lives for our freedom?

“How will we be able to pay our respects to those who gave their lives so we can live freely today? This proposal is outrageous and I wonder where else in the country that people are not bring kept safe as they pay their respects to these very brave individuals who gave their lives.”

MPs Watch: New MP, River Nidd and Mayoral election

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In July, Labour’s Keir Mather became the new MP for Selby and Ainsty after overturning a 20,000 majority to unseat the Conservatives.

Meanwhile, the debate over the River Nidd bathing water status campaign continued and the Tories selected current North Yorkshire councillor, Keane Duncan, as their candidate for mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

We asked Ripon MP Julian Smith if he would like to highlight anything in particular, but did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

On July 5, Mr Jones welcomed the decision by rail companies not to close Harrogate station ticket office as part of plans to close hundreds of kiosks across the country.
He also called for an apology from Lib Dem candidate Tom Gordon after he wrongly claimed the ticket office was due to close.
Mr Jones called for a debate in parliament on July 13 over electric vehicle charging infrastructure. He said progress across the country had been “quite mixed”.
On July 13, Mr Jones posted on his community news website that he hosted pupils from Harrogate Ladies College and St Aidan’s Church of England High School in parliament.
Mr Jones welcomed the confirmation of Keane Duncan as Conservative candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire on July 17.
On July 25, Mr Jones defended his involvement in a campaign to designate the River Nidd at Knaresborough bathing water status after Liberal Democrat councillor Matt Walker accused him of using it as a “political tool”.
Mr Jones also welcomed North Yorkshire Council’s backing for the campaign.
On July 25, Mr Jones posted a video of him taking part in a “Take The Bus” campaign, which encourages more disabled and older people to use free bus travel.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for July.

They included holding constituency surgeries, hosting a reception in Parliament on behalf the Rail Delivery Group to increase awareness of sexual harassment on the rail network and visiting Springwater School to meet with the headteacher and chair of governors.

Others included visiting GirlGuiding West’s new headquarters development on Cornwall Road and hosting a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport across the North to discuss the new strategic transport plan.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in July.
On July 21, Mr Smith met with the Ripon Military Heritage Trust to discuss the trust’s plans to preserve military heritage in the city.
On July 22, Mr Smith tweeted his congratulations to Labour’s Keir Mather after his victory in the Selby and Ainsty by-election.
Mr Smith posted 15 tweets on his Twitter account in July, which included promoting government grants and national funding announcements.

Knaresborough councillor accuses MP of using Nidd sewage campaign as ‘political tool’

Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Conservative MP Andrew Jones has been criticised by a Liberal Democrat councillor who claimed he is using a campaign to clean up the River Nidd as a “political tool” to help him get re-elected.

But Mr Jones has fought back and said his involvement in the campaign is about him doing his job as an MP.

The issue of river pollution caused by private water companies such as Yorkshire Water — and what is being done to stop it — is expected to be one of the battlegrounds at the next general election, which must be held in the next 18 months.

Mr Jones has won four elections in a row since 2010, but the Liberal Democrats are hopeful of taking Harrogate and Knaresborough back for the first time since the days of Phil Willis, who was MP between 1997 and 2010.

Mr Jones has confirmed he will stand for a fifth time and the Lib Dems have chosen former Wakefield councillor Tom Gordon as their candidate.

Nidd campaign

There are hopes that a section of the Nidd by Knaresborough Lido will be designated bathing water status by the government so people can swim in it without falling ill.

It currently has high levels of the bacteria e-coli, a strong indicator of sewage or animal waste.

The campaign is gathering momentum and is being led by Mr Jones who secured a debate on the topic in Parliament in November.

Last week, North Yorkshire councillors of all political stripes agreed to back a motion to support the campaign, brought by Conservative councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge Paul Haslam, when Cllr Matt Walker raised the topic of the MP’s involvement.

Cllr Walker said:

“People listening online and in the chamber might wonder why this motion has been brought before council.

“Perhaps it’s to do with a local MP using it as a political tool to try and get elected in the next general election?”

River Nidd at Knaresborough.

In 2021, Mr Jones was one of 265 Conservative MPs who voted down a Lords amendment to the Environment Bill which would have forced water companies to reduce the amount of sewage they discharged.

Instead, MPs including Mr Jones backed a government amendment to make water companies produce plans for reducing river pollution.

This has led to criticism from opposition parties, with Cllr Walker adding:

“Waters are allowed to have sewage in them because our MPs voted for it.”

In a statement sent to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Jones disputed that his involvement was political and listed the things he has done to raise awareness about the campaign, including securing the debate in Parliament, meeting with ministers about the topic and winning the support of the chief executive of Yorkshire Water.

Referring to the contentious votes in Parliament, Mr Jones said he voted for a “costed plan to reduce the operation of the Victorian storm overflows”.

The MP also took aim at Cllr Walker’s own political career after he stood unsuccessfully for the Lib Dems in the Selby and Ainsty by-election last week, when he came sixth.

Mr Jones said he welcomed the support from North Yorkshire Council and added that his team and a group of volunteers had been working on collecting information for the bid.

He said:

“I have discussed the successful Ilkley bathing water application with the MP for that area and led a special debate in the House of Commons on water quality. I have voted in Parliament for a costed plan to reduce the operation of the Victorian storm overflows.

“I have delivered thousands of leaflets and letters encouraging people to get involved and written numerous articles for the local media highlighting the issue. My team and I alongside an enormous number of local volunteers are taking positive action.

“This is what Members of Parliament should be doing and most of them, from all parties, are. It is not ‘using an issue as a political tool’; it is doing my job.

“Cllr Walker has stood twice to be an MP most recently in the Selby and Ainsty by election where the Liberal Democrat vote sank by 5% and they came sixth behind the Yorkshire Party, the Greens and Reform UK. Cllr Walker lost his deposit.

“I am sure he will do better when he addresses that lack of understanding about the role of an MP in supporting and leading local campaigns.”

Council backs bid for River Nidd bathing water status

North Yorkshire Council has backed a proposal to designate bathing water status to the River Nidd.

The motion was brought by Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, which called on the authority to support the campaign.

If designation is successful, government agencies would be obliged to take action to improve water quality at Knaresborough Lido. This would also improve water quality on a much wider stretch of the river.

The campaign comes after reports of numerous bathers falling ill last summer.

Cllr Haslam said:

“Knaresborough and the Nidd are one of the many jewels that North Yorkshire is blessed with.

“Knaresborough relies on the river to contribute to the local economy and wellbeing of the population in the form of riverside cafes, recreation on the river with regular bathing at the Lido.”

He added:

“It’s important that people can swim and enjoy the river without risks to their health.”

Councillors voted to support the proposal at a meeting in Northallerton yesterday.

Nidd Action Group and Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, are leading the campaign.

Following the vote, Mr Jones said he welcomed the support from the council.

He said:

“I am grateful to North Yorkshire councillors for backing this campaign. Bids to designate areas as official bathing water are substantially strengthened by having the support of the local authority.

“I know some seek to make party political points about this issue. I hope that this overwhelming cross-party support brings an end to this. Positive action is what is needed and I am working with local residents, businesses, community organisations and the Nidd Action Group on the bid.

“Success is never a guarantee but I am optimistic and this support from North Yorkshire Council is an important milestone.”

Harrogate heavyweights out in force at Selby by-election

The by-election may have been in Selby and Ainsty, but the battleground at the count extended to Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Several local political heavyweights were at Selby Leisure Centre in the early hours of this morning, whispering to colleagues in huddles while circling their political enemies.

With Labour expected to win, the political chat was as much about the race to become the first mayor of York and North Yorkshire next year and the Conservatives’ efforts to maintain control of North Yorkshire Council.

Shortly before 1am BBC News interviewed Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who said Rishi Sunak’s five pledges had chimed with people in his constituency despite these being tough times.

Asked whether the Tories could hold the seat won by Nigel Adams with a 20,000 majority in 2019, he said he travelled hopefully, deftly avoiding a prediction.

The count in full swing at Selby Leisure Centre.

Shortly afterwards Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat who will try to stop Mr Jones making it five in a row at the next general election made an appearance on Sky News.

Kirk Hammerton’s Nick Palmer, one of three Independent candidates standing yesterday, cursed the ‘London media’ for failing to reply to any of their requests for coverage. He told the Stray Ferret:

“They give us wall to wall coverage of Nigel Farage and Huw Edwards and nobody up here gives a damn about that.”

Fellow independent Andrew Gray, from Harrogate, was too unwell to attend. Pateley Bridge man Keith Tordoff, who is standing as an independent at next year’s mayoral election, represented him.

Acting returning officer Richard Flinton announces the turnout was 45%.

The Official Monster Raving Loony party contingent included a dummy but even their humour was beginning to wear thin as the night wore on.

Finally, at just after 4am, Clare Granger, the Birstwith-based North Yorkshire high sheriff rose to announce the result. Neither Labour candidate Keir Mather nor Conservative hopeful Claire Holmes made an appearance until just before that moment.

Clare Granger

Ms Granger had half-joked earlier that she couldn’t fluff her lines because any error announcing the results could only be remedied through the courts.

The unexpected Tory triumph in Uxbridge and South Ruislip led to speculation that the Tories could pull off a second win. But in the end Mr Mather, 25, won comfortably with 16,456 votes compared with Ms Holmes’ 12,295.

Green candidate Arnold Warneken, looking dapper with flowers grown in Little Ouseburn on his jacket, was third, overcoming Lib Dem Matt Walker.

By the time it was all over, the sun was coming up but the shadows had lengthened over the Conservatives in the run-up to the next general election.

Matt Walker

Knaresborough’s ex-crime commissioner launches victims’ charity

Knaresborough’s former crime commissioner Philip Allott is leading a new national charity that will support victims of crimes committed by emergency service staff.

Blue Light Whistle Blowers is in the process of being registered as a charitable incorporated organisation by the Charity Commission.

It will support victims of crimes committed by staff in policing, ambulance trusts and fire and rescue services and advise them on pursuing whistleblowing allegations but will not investigate claims itself.

The organisation, which is seeking a chief executive, aims to generate £100,000 a year to fund its work.

Mr Allott, who resigned as the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in 2021 following comments about the murder of Sarah Everard, said he decided to get involved because emergency services crimes were under-reported.

A telephone hotline and online portal will be set up this year to enable victims to confidentially report wrongdoing.

The organisation said in a statement:

“The charity aims to be the voice of victims and their families and won’t hesitate where necessary to challenge the status quo.

“The charity aim is to hold chief constables, chief fire officers and ambulance trusts to account for these crimes and will produce league tables highlighting the best and worst affected services within the country.”

The service is due to go live in the autumn, initially based on a number of areas including London before it is rolled out nationally.

Bob Blackman (left) and Philip Allott

Mr Allott, chair of the organisation, said:

“Blue Light Whistle Blowers has been set up to be the voice of the voiceless and the silenced. Whistleblowers will support the victims and give them a voice, as for too long they have received little if any support.”

Those involved met MPs and peers, including Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones and Lord Harrogate Timothy Kirkhope at the House of Commons last month, at an event sponsored by Bob Blackman MP, the Conservative MP for Harrow East.

The main picture shows the trustees with Andrew Jones MP. They are (left to right) Tim Cook, Kathy Cox, Guy Phoenix, Philip Allott, Andrew Jones and Adele Winkley.

Harrogate survives mass cull of train station ticket offices

Harrogate has been spared in today’s announcement that hundreds of train station ticket offices in England will close.

The Rail Delivery Group, the industry body which represents train companies, proposed the closures of almost 1,000 ticket offices, saying it would move staff to “more face-to-face support for customers”.

Northern plans to shut 131 ticket offices — but Harrogate, plus others including Blackburn, Blackpool, Leeds and Skipton, will remain open on amended hours.

Harrogate ticket office will be open from 6am until 6pm Monday to Saturday, as opposed to its current hours of 6.15am until 7pm, and from 9am until 5pm on Sundays.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said the “traditional ticket office is no longer required at most staffed Northern stations” as only one on six journeys were paid for through a ticket office.

She added:

“We need to modernise to meet the changing needs of our customers and we are seeking views from the public on these proposals.”

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the decision to retain Harrogate ticket office “will be welcome news to passengers who value the ability to buy tickets face-to-face”. He added:

“Rail companies are looking at this as the numbers of people purchasing tickets in person has plummeted with the rise of online booking and user-friendly electronic terminals at stations. All the plans are subject to consultation.”

Consultation on today’s recommendations runs from today until July 28. You can have your say here.

Brian Dunsby, of the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, said:

“The closure of ticket offices is inevitable.

“It’s the way the world is going, but Harrogate has largely been spared.”

Of the stations between York and Leeds on the Harrogate line, Horsforth is earmarked by Northern to have its ticket office closed.

Knaresborough Train Station

Other stations, such as Knaresborough, do not have offices and instead have machines for passengers to buy tickets.

The decision to close ticket offices elsewhere in the country was condemned by trade unions.

Mick Lynch, general secretary at the RMT, described it as “a savage attack on railway workers, their families and the travelling public”, adding:

“Travellers will be forced to rely on apps and remote mobile teams to be available to assist them rather than having trained staff on stations.

“This is catastrophic for elderly, disabled and vulnerable passengers trying to access the rail network.”

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Lib Dem leader criticises ‘outrageous’ decision

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Nidd campaign

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