Bilton Archives - Page 7 of 24

Free chicks bring Easter magic to Bilton

Free chicks are once again appearing in Bilton over Holy Week to bring some Easter magic to children.

Members of Bilton Grange United Reformed Church knit the chicks and leave them on the hedge outside the building each morning.

They will be appearing every day this week until Easter Sunday.

Children are welcome to take them for free.

The volunteers have run similar initiatives during other Christian festivals. For instance, they put out angels at Christmas and doves at Whitsun to spread joy.

The chicks are laid on the hedge at the junction of Skipton Road and Woodfield Road every morning until Easter Sunday.

Bilton Grange United Reformed Church free chicks

Members of Bilton Grange United Reformed Church pictured giving away the chicks last year.

Two men arrested in Harrogate after car break-ins

Two men have been arrested after reports of cars being broken into in Harrogate.

The men, both from Bradford and aged in their 50s, were arrested in the early hours of this morning.

North Yorkshire Police acted after a resident in Bilton saw a man trying car door handles on their doorbell camera.

As a result, officers arrested two men on suspicion of vehicle interference and going equipped for theft.

Both are currently being questioned in custody.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with theft from a vehicle following an incident on Yew Tree Lane on March 26.

He was due to appear before York Magistrates Court today.

Two arrests after bogus police seize boy’s scooter in Bilton

Police have made two arrests after reports of bogus police officers seizing a boy’s electric scooter in Bilton.

North Yorkshire Police issued a statement last night saying it was investigating a “disturbing incident” which happened at 7.20pm on Saturday (March 18).

It involved the suspects mounting the pavement in an unmarked car before seizing the scooter from the teenager.

Police said patrols in the area had “been stepped while the investigation continues”.

In an update this afternoon, the force said it had arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

It said in a statement:

“We are still urging people to come forward if you can help the current investigation, including relevant dash-cam, doorbell or CCTV footage.

“We’d also would like to speak to anyone who has experienced anything of a similar nature.”

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Cimestoppers on 0800 555111 or by making an online report.

Quote reference number 12230049556.

Bogus police seize boy’s electric scooter in Bilton

Two bogus police officers mounted a pavement in an unmarked car before seizing a boy’s electric scooter in Bilton yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement this evening it was investigating the “disturbing incident”, which happened at 7.20pm last night as the teenager was pushing the scooter.

The statement added”

“It has caused a great deal of distress and anger both to him and his family.

“Despite extensive enquiries including a trawl of CCTV in the area, the suspects have yet to be tracked down.

“Checks are being carried out with neighbouring police forces in case the offenders have travelled into North Yorkshire.”

Both suspects are described as white, medium build, with tattooed arms, and wearing black police-style clothing including combat trousers.

The are believed to have been driving either a black Ford Mondeo or Ford Focus.

Police said patrols in the area “have been stepped while the investigation continues”.

They appealed to anyone with information, dash-cam, doorbell or CCTV footage to report it urgently on the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, option 1.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Cimestoppers on 0800 555111 or by making an online report.

Quote reference number 12230049556.

Break-in forces closure of One Stop in Bilton

The One Stop shop on Crab Lane in Bilton was forced to close this morning after a break-in.

Store manager Adam Crawford said would-be thieves smashed the front door at about 2am but left empty-handed after activating security fog designed to disorientate intruders.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret at 11.30am, Mr Crawford said crime scene detectives had just left and he expected the store to reopen in about an hour. The door has been boarded up.

The convenience store, which includes a post office, serves a wide range of customers in Bilton and Knox.

One Stop, which is part of Tesco, has over 1,000 stores in the UK.

Kingsley anger reaches ‘boiling point’ as another 162 homes set for approval

The beeping sound of lorries and diggers reversing fills the air. Mud covers the street. Planning application notices hang like baubles from lamp posts.

Welcome to Kingsley Road, a once quiet rural area on the edge of Harrogate that has become a permanent building site.

Some 600 homes are at various stages of construction in the nearby area. Work started years ago and shows no sign of ending.

On Tuesday, Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee is expected to approve a sixth development – Persimmon’s application for 162 homes in a field on Kingsley Drive. Some locals plan to demonstrate at the council offices in the hope of persuading the Conservative-controlled planning committee to reject the scheme.

Gary Tremble, pictured where more development is due to take place.

Gary Tremble, who lives on Kingsley Road, is at the forefront of local resistance. He is a member of Kingsley Ward Action Group, which was set up in 2019 because “we soon realised we needed to work together”.

By his own admission, Mr Tremble is a “pain in the arse campaigner” who bombards councillors of all political colours with emails complaining about uncovered lorries, the state of the roads, road safety and anything else that concerns people who live in the area. He says some Greens and Liberal Democrats “have been helpful” but the bulldozers keep coming. He says:

“There’s a lot of anger on this street and it will get worse if people keep ignoring us.

“I have to take time off otherwise I get angry all the time. But then you walk out the door and see another truck going past at 40mph.”

The proposed road closure leading to Bogs Lane

The homes are being built in a residential area off the already-congested Knaresborough Road. North Yorkshire County Council has now applied to block the through-route on to Bogs Lane, which some welcome on the grounds it will reduce local traffic. Others say it will just drive more vehicles on to Knaresborough Road.

All you can see in the Kingsley area is houses.

Mr Tremble says:

“The main issue is there is no infrastructure. You can’t build several hundred homes with no community centre, dentist or shop.”

He says if the Persimmon development is approved and more green land between Starbeck and Bilton is concreted over, many people will have had enough and look to move.

Other local people feel equally strongly. Darren Long says:

“It literally feels like we’re given more bad news on a daily basis. It’s now seven years since construction started on the first Barratt’s development and it shows no signs of stopping. It’s so sad that this has been allowed to happen.

“We were so excited to move here in 2017. It’s miserable living here now. Living with the constant construction traffic, proposed road closures, one way systems and the horrific traffic.”

Kingsley Park

Peter Nolan, who has lived in the Kingsley area for 49 years, says Harrogate Borough Council “should be ashamed of the state they have let this once quiet area get into”. He adds:

“I’ve never ever in all my years had to queue half way along Kingsley Road in a morning but now I quite often spend 20 minutes trying to get out onto Knaresborough Road.”

Resident Dee Downton added:

“I am more concerned about the effect of the normal day-to-day basics that impact the everyday person getting to their destinations or commute to work, the impact on air quality because it’s just one constant traffic jam, the impact when ambulances can’t get through, the danger to pedestrians crossing because a gap in the traffic is seen and a vehicle acts quickly but fails to see someone crossing the road.”

Developers have targeted Kingsley because the land is allocated for development on the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place,

They say the schemes bring much-needed housing to Harrogate.

Kingsley Road

But those living in the area are less enthusiastic. Anonymous posters appeared on the street recently urging locals to legally double park on the pavement to prevent developers’ lorries from passing.

Mr Tremble says such anger is understandable because feelings are reaching “boiling point”.

Andrew Hart, a postmaster in nearby Starbeck, sympathises and says the action group is “doing their best to right a massive wrong”, adding:

“I am appalled with the never ending chaos created by the developments and road closures along Kingsley. The whole infrastructure was never designed for this number of houses.

“We have ended up with serious health and safety issues, lack of local resources and a gridlocked Knaresborough Road and Starbeck.”

Tuesday’s planning committee can be watched live on Harrogate Borough Council’s YouTube page here.

Bus route changes ‘necessary’ in face of growing Harrogate congestion

The company behind planned changes to bus routes around Harrogate has said they are vital to protect services in the face of worsening congestion.

The Harrogate Bus Company – part of Transdev – said its concessionary passenger numbers had fallen, while roads have become more congested, meaning it has to use extra resources to maintain current service levels.

It follows complaints from customers that changes to the number 6 route in Harlow Hill, and combining the 2A and 2B in Bilton, could leave vulnerable people more isolated.

The Harrogate Bus Company’s General Manager Steve Otley said:

“We are currently carrying only 70% of concessionary customers compared with 2019, prior to the pandemic. Meanwhile, worsening road congestion in Harrogate, which has no bus priority measures, means extra resources are needed to maintain service levels.

“We published our intentions in December to give our customers chance to understand the changes well in advance.”

Residents and social groups had contacted the Stray Ferret with concerns that the streamlined route of the number 6, skipping out Harlow Avenue and the stop outside the Green Hut community centre, could mean elderly and disabled people were unable to access the service.

While the nearest stops on the new route are just a few hundred metres away, they said this distance could be prohibitive for people with mobility problems.

In Bilton, combining the two routes will mean residents on Woodfield Road and Dene Park will be unable to access shops and services around King Edward’s Drive without going into town and catching the next bus back out again.

The concerns have been backed by local representatives, including Paul Haslam, Conservative councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, who said he was hoping to negotiate with North Yorkshire County Council and the bus company to find a solution.

Cllr Mike Schofield, who represents the Harlow and St George’s division for the Liberal Democrats, said:

“Whilst I accept how finances work within business, I feel that there is surely an option for an hourly bus to ensure the elderly and those with physical restrictions still have a means to get out and have their independence.

“Are we not supposed to be supporting active travel for all?”

However, Mr Otley said the proposed changes, coming into effect from Sunday, February 19, were the best compromise between route and frequency of service.

He said the decisions had been made based on current use of stops along the route, adding:

“We have managed to protect the frequency of route 6 at every 30 minutes with a slightly quicker route, so the Green Hut stop is no longer used. On average, eight customers per day catch a bus from there, six of whom use concessionary passes – and the majority travel between 9am and 11am, suggesting they’re not Green Hut users.

“On the 2, we’ll be delivering more frequent services for the majority of our Bilton customers with a new timetable for route 2. As with the Green Hut stop on the 6, the stops we will no longer serve carry a small number of customers each day.

“On the current 2A and 2B, 98% of customers travel to/from the town centre, the small number of local trips are to/from King Edward Drive Top which will still be possible on the new route. Customers can also change buses at King Edward Drive Top.

“While we appreciate that a small number of residents will be inconvenienced, this change protects the timetable and speeds up journeys for the vast majority, protecting the busier stops along the route.”

Bus route changes ‘could leave vulnerable more isolated’ in Harrogate

Some of the most vulnerable members of the community could be left isolated if planned changes to bus routes come into effect later this month, according to opponents.

The number 6 on Harlow Hill and the 2a and 2b in Bilton are both being changed by operator The Harrogate Bus Company, part of Transdev, from Sunday, February 19.

Residents on Harlow Hill said they have been told their nearest bus stop will be just a three-minute walk away – but they say that is not true for the many elderly and disabled people who rely on the service.

At the weekly Music and Movement group, which meets at the Green Hut on Harlow Avenue, there is serious concern about the impact of changes.

As the 20 members enjoyed tea and biscuits at the end of the session, volunteer Margaret Willis told the Stray Ferret:

“The ladies who come here are very able and capable, but they are also vulnerable. Many of them live on their own.

“They need to come out and socialise and exercise otherwise they are at risk of becoming isolated.”

The route changes will see the number 6 no longer serving Harlow Avenue or stops down Otley Road between its junctions with Beckwith Road and Pannal Ash Road.

Instead, it will travel up Otley Road, along Beckwith Road and straight back down Pannal Ash Road to join Otley Road.

The existing route of the 6, left, and the planned new route.

Crucially, the stop immediately outside the Green Hut will no longer be in use. Many of the Music and Movement group’s members arrive and depart by bus, and some are unable to reach the bus stops that will be on the new route.

The closest stops are 280m away on Beckwith Road up a slight incline, 500m away on Otley Road, and 450m away on Pannal Ash Road along a route that is partially uphill, which many group members said they could not manage.

Members of the Music and Movement group

One 92-year-old with mobility problems said she timed the supposed three-minute walk to the bus stop and it took her 20 minutes, even without carrying any bags.

Not only could the changes stop people getting to the Green Hut – putting some of its events at risk – but they could also affect people living on Harlow Hill travelling to medical and other appointments.

Volunteer Charlotte South added:

“I can’t tell you the upset this has caused.

“We want someone from Transdev to come and walk the route with our group and see what the changes really mean for people.”

The members of Music and Movement said they would be happy for an hourly bus, instead of half-hourly, if it meant the route was kept as it is now. They also said they would be happy to pay towards their journeys in order to make the service viable.

Bilton buses

In Bilton, the 2A and 2B buses will be combined to make a single service, which some people have said will prevent them from accessing local shops and services on King Edward’s Drive.

The current 2A loop allows people living on Dene Park and Woodfield Road to use the bus to visit the chemist, Post Office or doctor’s surgery, and catch it back from the opposite side of the road.

When the changes come into effect, they will have to take the bus into town, and catch the next bus back out towards Bilton in order to get to King Edward’s Drive.

The current 2A and 2B routes, left, and the proposed single route of the 2 around Bilton and Woodfield.

Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents the Bilton and Nidd Gorge division on North Yorkshire County Council, said he has been contacted by a number of residents very concerned about the impact of the changes.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“My view is that it’s not ideal. I’m trying to change it back to keep it as it is – even if the service isn’t as frequent, at least it would still exist.

“One of the challenges is that Transdev are saying the numbers aren’t there. I understand their challenge which is why I’ve gone to North Yorkshire as well.”

He said he had been given hope by the news that the 24 bus through Nidderdale had been saved by funding from the county council when Transdev said it would have to drastically reduce the service.

“I would ideally like to see that route maintained. I think it’s important and I’m doing everything I can to try and keep it.”

The shops on King Edward’s Drive

However, for one business owner, the changes are welcome.

Andrew Hart, who runs the Red Box gift shop and Post Office on King Edward’s Drive, said:

“My view is controversial because that bus stop outside is a hub for anti-social behaviour, which we catch on CCTV.

“I’m quite happy that the bus stop and the bus route will be going. The buses that go around those two routes are far too big anyway and very rarely more than a quarter or a third full.

“I think the reduction of the route is a very sensible move. People will soon get used to the idea. Quite often, the buses don’t turn up, so most of [the customers] will walk through.”

The Stray Ferret approached Transdev about the concerns over the proposed changes, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Information published when the route changes were announced last month said the company was prioritising “the busiest stops” and leaving out those used less frequently in order to “speed up journey times”.

Men in Oatlands live 13 years longer than in Bilton Woodfield, says report

A report has laid bare the stark health inequalities that separate men and women living in different parts of the Harrogate district.

Councillors in the Harrogate borough met this week to discuss an annual health report written by North Yorkshire County Council’s director of public health, Louise Wallace.

The report draws on government public health data that breaks down average life expectancy levels by council ward boundary.

These figures show that men in Bilton Woodfield live, on average, until 74 whereas just a few miles away in Oatlands they live to 87.

Bilton Woodfield is the most deprived ward in Harrogate whereas the Oatlands ward includes some of the most expensive streets in Yorkshire, including Fulwith Mill Lane.

Ms Wallace said there is a higher prevalence of factors such as smoking in more deprived areas and that employment types and education can contribute to the differences in life expectancy.

The data also reveals that women live to 91 in Claro, which includes villages north of Knaresborough. However, in Knaresborough Eastfield the average life expectancy for females is far lower at 78.

The average life expectancy for men in England is 79 and for women it’s 83.

Improving lifestyles

The report also said the number of higher risk drinkers in England has increased since the pandemic, with the heaviest drinkers and those in lower socioeconomic groups increasing their consumption the most.

John Mann, Conservative councillor for Pannal, asked Ms Wallace what the council is doing to help people stop drinking and drug-taking in the Harrogate district.

He said:

“I’m interested in reducing excessive drinking, I mean we all like a drink, but some people go to excess which is not good for you.

“Drinking at home or socially is a bit addictive and does affect family life and career progression and health.”

Ms Wallace said the council is currently drafting a new alcohol strategy to replace the previous document from 2014-2019.

She added:

“When people need support around alcohol we have a commissioned service with Horizons but we need to get some whole population messages out there.

“You’re absolutely right for the potential of excessive drinking and what that might mean. We’re seeing an increase in alcohol-related admissions or illnesses as a result of excessive alcohol use.”

‘No suspicious circumstances’ in sudden death in Harrogate, police say

North Yorkshire Police has said there were “no suspicious circumstances” in the sudden death of a 77-year-old woman in Bilton this week.

The woman, who has not been named, died in a flat at Dene Park on Monday afternoon.

A 76-year-old man was arrested and later released under investigation.

Police were present at the scene from Monday afternoon until last night.

Police were at the scene until last night.

In an update this afternoon, police said:

“The investigation into the sudden death of a 77-year-old woman at a flat on Dene Park in Harrogate on Monday afternoon has confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

“The 76-year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation has been released without charge with no further action to be taken.

“The scene has been stood down at the address and a report has been sent to the coroner.”

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