Three people have been arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs after police chased a car through the streets of Harrogate.

The arrests took place on Wednesday afternoon after a vehicle failed to stop for the police on Skipton Road, officers chased the vehicle before it crashed on Cold Bath Road with the driver making a getaway.

Passers-by directed police officers towards him and the 23-year-old man was stopped and was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, acquiring criminal property, dangerous driving and failing to stop.

The police searched a nearby address and found more drugs and cash. They also arrested two more male suspects, 18 and 15, who were arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

They have been released under investigation while police enquiries continue.

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Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Older people’s needs in Harrogate are being ignored

It’s all very well trying to encourage cycles and walking, but what about the aged population in Harrogate? Does no-one care any more about the largest population in Harrogate, who cannot walk everywhere or who are in wheelchairs and need to be as near as they can to what they have struggled to get out to do? And how many use the cycle lanes anyway, bad weather puts everyone under cover in a car?

It all started to go wrong when they made West Park a one way thoroughfare. When Ripon traffic could drive straight through it saved all that mess of having to do a loop through and round the town to get out to Leeds.

Harrogate planning has a lot to answer to, both in this and in housing and the plans they pass.

Lesley Dalton, Harrogate

Pollution on Cold Bath Road

Regarding your story about pollution and Western Primary School, closure of the road during school drop up and pick up times would reduce car pollution at these times which would be beneficial for the children

Richard Blackshaw, Harrogate

Read more:

• Is Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road getting busier?
• Harrogate businesses set for crunch talks on £10.9m Station Gateway

Sheep killed at Pinewoods

Regarding the recent report of sheep being killed on land adjacent to the Pinewoods. Perhaps the temporary signs being put up could also remind dog owners that farmers can legally shoot any dog caught attacking sheep.

Richard Stobbs, Harrogate

A lovely gesture by a bakery

I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Avenue Bakery in Harrogate for making stottie cakes for my elderly father who has dementia.

Dad had been reminiscing about stottie cakes and I popped into Avenue Bakery and asked them if it was something they could make for him. They made him two and gifted them to him .

Such a lovely gesture for an old man and he enjoyed them so much.

Joanne Bolton, Knox

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Police have arrested two men and a teenager following a burglary in Harrogate.

Keys, money and a handbag were stolen from a house on Cold Bath Road in the early hours of October 3.

Officers were called to a street in Leeds as part of their enquiries and a 19-year-old man from Harrogate and a 20-year-old man from Leeds were arrested.

Police also arrested a 15-year-old boy from Harrogate. All were released on bail pending further investigations.

Read more:

• Harrogate man jailed for cashpoint robbery of mother
• Car stolen from Harrogate home in Hanoi-style burglary
• 18 charged with county lines drug dealing in Harrogate

The force called on the support of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service after one suspect fled onto the roof of a property.

North Yorkshire Police said investigations into the burglary were ongoing.

A police statement added:

“Anyone with information on the burglary should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210214088.”

The debate over whether walking and cycling schemes push traffic elsewhere in Harrogate has intensified over the last 12 months.

North Yorkshire County Council has implemented road closures, introduced a low traffic neighbourhood on Beech Grove and started work on a multi-million pound cycle route on Otley Road.

All of this is part of a push to get people out of their cars and on foot or to pick up a bike, the council says.

But some of the measures, such as Beech Grove, have proved contentious and led to petitions calling for them to be removed.

One of the most frequent criticisms of the county council is that these measures push traffic elsewhere.

This week, the Stray Ferret was told that the council’s cycling agenda has led to traffic building up on Cold Bath Road and made it unsafe for schoolchildren.

‘It’s no busier’

The closure of through traffic on Beech Grove is designed to link with the upcoming Otley Road cycle route, which started construction on its first phase this month.

According to the county council’s own figures, around three cyclists an hour use the LTN. However, campaigners argue that it is much more than that.

Some have gone as far as to sit on Beech Grove counting cyclists passing through themselves and reported 17 within an hour.

Valley Drive, which is closed to traffic from Cold Bath Road.

But critics say the by-product of the measure is the shifting of traffic elsewhere, namely onto Cold Bath Road.

The Stray Ferret went out to the road to check if it was busier.

Traffic built up at drop off and pick up times outside Western Primary School, nearby independent businesses and residential areas.

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• Boroughbridge roadworks causing ‘horrendous’ delays for drivers
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Cars pulled into nearby streets as children waited patiently on the corner and other drivers tried to the negotiate the newly closed Valley Drive, which no longer allows entry from Cold Bath Road.

However, one business owner told the Stray Ferret that it was “not busier than usual” and it would have been noticeable had it been.

The sentiment, though, is not echoed by Western Primary School headteacher, Tim Broad.

Tim Broad is the headteacher of Western Primary School.

Mr Broad told the Stray Ferret that the road was busier due to Beech Grove and the Otley Road construction.

He said:

“I don’t feel that our children are as vulnerable now since the covid guidance has changed and we are no longer using our playground gate as an exit. 

“Drop off and collection are safer in that respect but obviously the busier the road, the bigger the threat to children.”

‘No increase’ in traffic, says highways boss

Much of the criticism for the introduction of these schemes comes back to the inbox of Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for highways.

As is the case with politics, someone has to be accountable for proposals which affect peoples’ lives.

Read more:

• Around three cyclists an hour using Harrogate’s new low traffic neighbourhood
• ‘It’s working well’: Campaigner counts cyclists using Harrogate’s Beech Grove
• Beech Grove closure to remain in place, despite petition objecting

Cllr Mackenzie has faced down emails and petitions from residents who no longer want the LTN because they say it makes Harrogate busier for traffic.

We put the concerns to Cllr Mackenzie over the increase in traffic on Cold Bath Road.

But, he said the authority had not seen any issues with traffic as a result of the measures brought in. Cllr Mackenzie said the highways department monitored traffic regularly.

Cllr Mackenzie said:

“Cold Bath Road is a very busy road and there is a lot going on there. We are mounting the traffic levels and we are seeing no increase.”

He added that a report on consultation responses into Beech Grove over the last six months is due to be published “in the coming weeks”.

An organic food shop on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate is to close next week, less than a year after opening its doors for the first time.

Nicola Mawdsley opened Joy In Store as an environmentally-friendly one-stop shop that would change stock with the seasons.

Ms Mawdsley hoped the venture would compete with smaller supermarkets but it has been unable to attract enough customers to make it work so it will close for good on Saturday, August 14.

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Like other businesses, Joy In Store has endured a series of lockdowns since it opened in November.

Although the shop is closing, Ms Mawdsley told the Stray Ferret it might return in a different form:

“There are potentially opportunities down the line. I will keep the online shop that is now ready and I could also do some pop-up shops.

“People loved the idea of organic, sustainable and plastic free shopping. It just seems to take a long time for people to change their habits.

“It is a real shame. Had I known that there would have been more lockdowns down the line I would not have gone ahead with it at that time.”

A sale in the 10 days before closure will see Joy In Store sell off its remaining stock for 25% discounts.

The shop will include not only the food but also the shop fixtures and fittings, including crates, trollies and more.

Police have taken a man into custody after a two-hour rooftop standoff in Harrogate this afternoon.

The incident forced police to close off Belmont Road and nearby Belmont Close and Cold Bath Road while a negotiator talked the man down.

Residents reported a heavy prescence from the emergency services just before 1pm. There were multiple fire engines, police cars and ambulances in the area.

It was around 3pm when officers handcuffed the suspect and took him away in a police van. All three roads are now open again.

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A police spokesperson said:

“The incident in Belmont Road has now been brought to a safe conclusion and the roads have reopened.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding. The man has been taken into police custody.”

An eyewitness on Cold Bath Road told the Stray Ferret:

“I came to pick up my child from school and saw lots of police cars, a few fire engines and ambulances.

“Just then I saw a man being taken into the back of a police van in handcuffs. He was up on the roof.

“So the incident seems to be over now and Cold Bath Road is open to traffic, nice and busy again.”

The incident in pictures:

Police have urged the public to stay away from the Cold Bath Road in Harrogate this afternoon as they deal with an incident.

A heavy police, fire and ambulance presence has been reported. Officers have been diverting people away from the area.

An eye witness reported that officers have closed off Belmont Road and Belmont Close, adjacent to Cold Bath Road.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Emergency services are at the scene of an incident in Belmont Road Harrogate involving a distressed man on the roof of a building.

“It was reported at 12:50pm on 25 June and officers are working to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

“The road has been closed for safety reasons, to protect members of the public and to assist the emergency services while the incident is ongoing.

“We urge members of the public to stay away from the area to assist the emergency response.”

Stray Foodie Lockdown Recipes are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years.

“I’d love to see how you make the recipes your own – let me know by using #StrayFoodie or tagging @thestrayferret in your social media posts.”

Having for years made my own bread domestically, I recently decided that it was taking up too much of my time that could be used more productively elsewhere.  I bought a bread machine, on the recommendation of so many of my friends but found having to poke the paddle out of the centre of the finished loaf exceeding naff and the appearance not good!

With the excitement of our hospitality industry opening up again, Harrogate has been amazing with venue’s like The Fat Badger, The Yorkshire Hotel, William & Vics and many more offering such imaginative and creative outside venue’s in which to consume well established great food and drink.

I came across Tilly Peppers up Cold Bath Road now run by a lady called Jessica and received such a warm and vibrant welcome.  A young creative menu serving imaginative Breakfast and Lunches.  Such as her Cowboy Beans with Pulled Pork and for Lunch her Falafel with Spinach and Mango Chutney.  Her lovely homemade breads are available to take away or eat in.  These breads are different flavours with imaginative fillings.  Quite delicious!

Homemade bread from Tilly Peppers

Across the road is Manna Bakery.   A very efficient looking and commercial shop where I bought a Sourdough Loaf that was perfect in every way, available alongside Croissants and happy looking Preserves.   Who needs a bread machine?

Sourdough from Manna Bakery

At the bottom of Cold Bath Road is Gron, a Scandinavian Café and takeaway, the name meaning quite literally Green.  It is now coming into its’ own unique style as the rules relax further. This is well worth a visit to experience a Beetroot, Avocado and Pickled Cabbage ‘Poke’ Bowl – eat out with a difference!  Or perhaps a Gron Breakfast Bagel with a Vegan Sausage Pate, Avocado, Mozzarella, Spinach and a Cashew Mayo.

These delightful young Cafés seem to be a new way of eating with good fresh ingredients and different breads, which is exciting and hope will soon give Harrogate a whole new culinary reputation.

Gron Kafe, Royal Parade

Western Primary School is already seeing the effects of its new speed signs on Cold Bath Road.

The school’s headteacher, Mr Tim Broad, believes that many drivers are simply unaware that the speed limit is 20mph rather than 30mph.

Mr Broad spent this morning on duty and saw many slowing down when they were prompted by the signs.

One is just outside the school gates and another is a little further down the hill opposite the junction with Freemans Court.

Staff at the school became particularly concerned in September when some people were taking risks crossing the road away from the busy pelican crossing.

As a result, the school feared that a child could be killed crossing the road so lobbied North Yorkshire County Council for action.

Read more:

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• Western Primary School urges council to tackle road fears

The council agreed to cover the £7,000 cost of the signs in early December which went up this week.

Mr Tim Broad told the Stray Ferret:

“I honestly believe that if you were to stop drivers at random on Cold Bath Road that the majority would believe it is a 30mph road.

“There is a lot of traffic that comes down this road. It not only creates a problem for pupils crossing the road but there’s also a pollution problem.

“The signs are working already. When they light up and people see them they slow down.”

A radar in the signs detect vehicles travelling above the 20mph speed limit from at least 50 metres away and this triggers a ‘slow down’ message.

A police officer found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in Harrogate is set to face a gross misconduct inquiry.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it has recommended the inquiry into Detective Constable Quita Passmore after investigating the collision.

North Yorkshire Police had already said an internal investigation would be held, but the IOPC today confirmed its recommendation for a gross misconduct inquiry had been accepted by the force. The organisation had passed its findings to the Crown Prosecution Service, saying DC Passmore had driven through a red light at high speed without stopping, colliding with another car.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle said:

“We recognise that police officers undertake a difficult role within our communities however it is necessary that when undertaking their role they follow the policies, procedures and guidance set by their forces. On this occasion our investigation found that DC Passmore drove dangerously when responding to an emergency call which resulted in two members of the public receiving serious injuries.

“The two women and their families have understandably suffered a great deal of stress and anxiety since the incident and we hope that [this] verdict offers them a degree of closure.

“We believe that DC Passmore has a case to answer for gross misconduct. North Yorkshire Police have accepted our recommendation and a hearing will be scheduled by them in due course.”

DC Passmore was this week handed a 10-month jail sentence suspended for two years after being found guilty at a trial at Bradford Crown Court. She was banned from driving for two years, after which she will have to take an enhanced driving test.

The court heard she was responding to an emergency call and driving through the junction of Otley Road and Cold Bath Road in May 2018. She hit a red Vauxhall Corsa, causing broken bones and a punctured lung to driver Patricia Bulmer and passenger Janet Roberton. DC Passmore was also injured.

Read more:

• Police launch internal investigation into Harrogate officer
• Police officer avoids jail after 50mph red light Harrogate crash