Senior councillors have defended a controversial decision to close a Harrogate street to through traffic to encourage people to cycle and walk.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, wrote to residents on February 1 saying it planned to block the junction of Beech Grove and Lancaster Road with planters.

The experimental order will take effect on a six-month trial basis on February 15 as part of a scheme to create a low traffic neighbourhood in the area.

The sudden announcement generated a mixed response on social media, with many people questioning whether it would merely lead to more traffic on nearby streets, such as Cold Bath Road, Victoria Road and Queen’s Road.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, said the order was one of a series of measures the authority had proposed to reduce traffic congestion.

He added views would be taken into account when a decision was taken on whether to extend the closure in six months time.

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Asked whether the changes to Beech Grove would just move traffic elsewhere, Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret:

“That tends to happen, but what we are trying to do is trying to reduce the overall vehicle numbers and encourage people not to use their cars.

“Everyone is being encouraged to travel more actively and this is part of that.”

‘Radical measures needed’

Work to install the signage, bollards and planters will take three days from February 15, weather permitting.

Designated parking bays for ambulances will be installed on Trinity Road.

The changes to Beech Road, along with the forthcoming Otley Road cycle route, could link to create a better connected cycle route into the town centre.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council.

The county council will spend £9,954 of its own funds on the Beech Grove scheme.

Cllr Mackenzie said this was because the council only received about £133,000 – half of the maximum possible available – when it applied to a government fund for active travel.

Cllr Richard Cooper, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council who also represents Harrogate central on the county council, said radical measures were needed to solve traffic congestion.

“I know that some local residents are sceptical about these new sustainable transport measures. I understand that and I respect that view while not agreeing with it.

“The fact of the matter is that we cannot pretend that traffic congestion, poor air quality, a diminishing environment and climate change can be solved without radical changes to our transport infrastructure and our personal travel habits.”

Other proposed county council measures to ease traffic congestion, include a park and ride bus service, Killinghall bypass and traffic calming measures in Bilton. 

The authority was also been awarded £1 million for three cycling schemes in Harrogate, of which one will include £250,000 for cycling measures on Victoria Avenue.

Closure met with mixed response

News of the changes to Beech Grove met with mixed reaction on the Stray Ferret Facebook and Twitter accounts.

One person said:

“So how do you get to Otley Road if you are coming out of Victoria Ave junction with West Park? You’d have to go right up Cold Bath Road to the grammar school – much further.”

Another said:

“So to ease congestion, every car now has to go via Prince of Wales roundabout to Cold Bath Road junction? I’m not an expert but they’ll be the same amount of cars on the roads regardless, so I don’t get how shutting roads anywhere is the answer?”

However, others welcomed the council’s decision and said it would improve the quality of life.

“Excellent idea. Should be just the start of many of the same. Turn the Stray into a true part of the community as opposed to an island surrounded by cars.”

Beech Grove in Harrogate is set to close to through traffic in less than two weeks’ time.

Highways authority North Yorkshire County Council has written to residents in the area saying it wants to create a low traffic neighbourhood in the area.

Planters will be put in place at the junction with Lancaster Road, blocking the street.

The council intends to trial the scheme for six months from February 15 with a view to making it permanent, pending public consultation.

Residents, refuse collections and emergency services will still have access to the area. But motorists will no longer be able to get directly from Otley Road to West Park via Beech Grove.

It is hoped the move will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It will also link to the new Otley Road cycle path, work on which is due to begin in spring.

Low traffic neighbourhoods have been put in place across the country, including in London and Manchester, to prevent drivers from using roads as shortcuts and rat-runs.

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The county council has proposed a series of measures to ease traffic congestion, including a park and ride bus service, Killinghall bypass and traffic calming measures in Bilton. The authority was also handed £1 million for three cycling schemes in Harrogate.

The proposed low traffic neighbourhood.

When the cycle route is completed, cyclists will be able to turn from Otley Road onto Beech Grove, which would be free from traffic and connect with another earmarked cycle route on Victoria Avenue.

The authority’s letter seeks comments from residents ahead of the measure being put in place. It said:

“The county council is seeking feedback on proposals to introduce a low traffic neighbourhood along Beech Grove, with the aim of encouraging more residents to choose active, healthy and sustainable forms of travel, particularly during the current covid pandemic between the western area of Harrogate and the town centre retail and commercial facilities.”

Beech Grove, which has been proposed to be closed off to traffic.

Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, described the measure as “a start” in improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians. He said:

“I think it is a positive step forward.

“We were consulted on a number of options and this is the one that requires the least disruption and makes sense without having to cost a huge amount of money.

“It will certainly help pedestrians and cyclists on that road. At the moment, the parking has been difficult and it has been quite risky to go down.”

The scheme would be implemented through an experimental traffic regulation order and would be reviewed by the council after six months.

Council officers will monitor the effect of the scheme on neighbouring roads, including Victoria Road, Lancaster Road and Queen’s Road.

The authority said it has no plans to alter or remove the current disc parking arrangements in the area.

Police arrested three people after reports of an altercation involving a group of teenagers in central Harrogate last night.

Officers were called to Montpellier Parade at 7.40pm on Monday, with several vehicles rushing to the scene.

A witness told the Stray Ferret that officers pulled over and made arrests on Beech Grove, near its junction with West Park.

Officers stopped on Beech Grove to deal with reports of an altercation involving a group of teenagers

However, after making enquiries at the scene, police released all three suspects. North Yorkshire Police said this morning that enquiries into the incident are continuing.

Information can be reported to the force by calling 101 and using reference 12200166372.