Campaigners meet to find way forward in fight against Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion plansEnd of an era as Harrogate residents’ group foldsHarrogate residents’ group faces closure unless volunteers come forwardBus 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.

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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.”

New choir to offer therapy to people with Parkinson’s in Harrogate district

A new choir will offer a fun yet effective form of speech therapy for people with Parkinson’s in the Harrogate district.

It will be led by musician Rhiannon Gayle, supported by staff from speech therapy at Harrogate District Hospital.

Each session will offer gentle exercises and fun songs, as well as time to socialise, at the Green Hut on Harlow Avenue, Harrogate, each Monday afternoon.

Research has shown singing helps to improve breathing and voice control in people with Parkinson’s, and group singing is also known to improve mental health and wellbeing.

John Sheepy, chairman of the Harrogate and district branch of Parkinson’s UK, said he is keen to hear from more people with Parkinson’s who could benefit from the choir and the other activities on offer.

“We have 160 members in the branch, but the hospital have 750 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s on their records.

“We’re always trying to find the other mossing 600 – not from our own point of view, but from theirs, because Parkinson’s is a horrible thing to face without support.”

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As well as its monthly meetings, the Harrogate group offers numerous opportunities for members to stay active, from table tennis to crown green bowls, and even boxing.

It also organises talks from experts in fields relevant to Parkinson’s patients. On September 27, three leading speakers will look at advances in research, treatments and technology in a research projects discussion forum held by the branch.

The event takes place at the Masonic Lodge from 7pm, with a meal also available from 6pm at £10 per person.

For more information about the choir or other upcoming events, visit the Harrogate and district Parkinson’s website.