Harrogate district single bus fares to be capped at £2

Bus tickets in the Harrogate district are set to be capped at £2 for three months as part of a government scheme.

The Get Around initiative is funded by the Department for Transport and will run from January 1 to March 31 next year.

It will see single tickets on services capped for 130 bus companies across England.

Both Harrogate Bus Company and Connexions Buses will be taking part in the scheme.

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1604777134941167620

 

Buses Minister Richard Holden said:

“Brits love buses. They’re the most popular form of public transport in England, making up half of all journeys. So we’re investing £60 million to cap single bus fares at £2 to help families, students and commuters and help get people back on the bus.

“The scheme will also take two million car journeys off the road and it’s fantastic to see so many bus operators signing up.”

The scheme forms part of the government’s Help for Households campaign, which provides help with the cost of living increase.

Ministers said the move will help the bus industry continue to recover from the covid pandemic.

North Yorkshire bus services face ‘grave situation’

It comes as concern has been raised over the future of bus services in the Harrogate district.

Last month, Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said the county’s bus network was “facing a really grave situation”.

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Cllr Duncan said bus services in the county were facing unprecedented pressure due to higher costs and passenger numbers.

He added:

“The message across the county is use it or lose it. We need people to support these services.”

Liberal Democrat councillor for Pateley Bridge, Andrew Murday, said residents of his division faced having just two services a day to Harrogate.

He said:

“We just have to do something about bus services, and encourage more people onto buses. We need to know how we are going to go about discouraging people from driving and encouraging people on to buses, so bus services can thrive.”

Burst water main traffic problems set to continue in Nidderdale

Update: Yorkshire Water emailed on the morning of Friday, December 16 to say: The repair is complete and our teams will be reinstating and reopening to road as soon as possible. 

Traffic problems caused by a burst water main in Dacre are expected to continue until next week. 

Buses, including school services, were diverted again this morning due to the problem. 

A spokesman for The Harrogate Bus Company said: 

“A burst water main at Dacre is leading to diversions affecting route 24 and school service 620H.

“Currently Yorkshire Water advise that the affected section of road will remain closed until Monday (19 December): if that date is brought forward, we will of course advise customers. 

“In the meantime and until Yorkshire Water’s repairs are completed, buses are unable to serve stops between Fountains Bents and Dacre Banks. 

 He added:

“The 620H is serving the top section of Dacre from Summerbridge. Students waiting at the Providence Chapel bus stop can walk a short distance to board the 620H, which enables the bus to turn around at Dacre Lane before going back past Summerbridge towards Clint Bank, then continuing via Birstwith to resume its normal route at Elton Lane. 

“Early contact was made with all schools involved yesterday (Wednesday) and a regular driver is allocated to the 620H which also helps with communication.”

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The spokesman said the delay to today’s 10am route 24 departure from Harrogate was caused by “mechanical issues with the bus”, adding:

“Our engineer was able to carry out roadside repairs: however this, plus the diversion at Dacre, led to this journey being delayed. Our apologies to customers for this delay.” 

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said:

“Our teams are aware of a leak on a water main in Dacre. We are working to repair this as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”  

Business Breakfast: Knaresborough marketing agency makes three new appointments

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Knaresborough marketing and PR agency has announced three new appointments amid continued growth.

Allott and Associates, which has offices at Claro Chambers, has made the recruitment after securing new accounts from both UK and international companies.

Emily Evans has joined as an account manager, Beth Hamby as a PR executive and Josie Bridson as a marketing assistant.

Emily said:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Allotts team. 

“Despite these challenging times the company is going from strength to strength. I love the can-do philosophy that helps clients get the best results.”

Director Carol Rees said: 

“I’m so pleased to be welcoming Emily, Beth and Josie to Allotts and I’m confident that they will make valuable contributions to the continuing success of the agency.

“Despite the challenges both at home and abroad, we continue to invest in all aspects of the business to deliver effective and fully integrated PR and marketing campaigns, which are enabling our clients to continue winning new work in multiple market sectors.”

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Harrogate Bus Company to mark remembrance

Harrogate Bus Company has announced that its buses will adorn commemorative poppies to mark this year’s Remembrance Day.

The poppies will be prominently displayed on the front of buses on routes covering hundreds of miles every day across the Harrogate district and into West Yorkshire.

ictured from left are: Terry Wood, President, Royal British Legion; veterans Brian Whittaker and John Mainland; and Transdev engineers Patrick Mclaughlin and Stephen Buckley.

Pictured from left are: Terry Wood, President, Royal British Legion; veterans Brian Whittaker and John Mainland; and Transdev engineers Patrick Mclaughlin and Stephen Buckley.

The company will also provide free travel on Remembrance Day this Friday (November 11) and Remembrance Sunday (November 13) to all current service personnel with forces ID, and to veterans in uniform or with their medal.

CEO of parent firm Transdev, Alex Hornby said:

“With financial challenges currently affecting many veterans and their families in the communities we serve, it’s more important than ever that we continue our support for the excellent work done by the Royal British Legion.

“We hope that by prominently showing our support for the Poppy Appeal on our buses, many of our customers will join us in contributing to this excellent cause.

“We want to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, and to support those living with the impact of conflict today. All our teams at our depots across the North are fully behind this.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough, which have been causing delays this month, are due to remain in place until November 11.

Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

In Harrogate, roadworks on the notorious Wetherby Road in Harrogate have been causing delays all week.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until Friday.

The map also indicates a slew of traffic lights this week on nearby Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Roadworks on the notorious Wetherby Road in Harrogate have been causing delays all week.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until Friday.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

The road is closed and a diversion is in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Trains and buses

Rail operator Northern is not reporting any problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning. The live departure and arrival board for Harrogate doesn’t currently show any delays.

The Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems. You can get updates here.

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Roadworks lead to long queues on A59 near Knaresborough

Queues of more than an hour have been reported as motorists try to navigate roadworks on the edge of Knaresborough.

Four-way traffic lights are in place to allow Yorkshire Water to carry out work on the A59 near the junction with the A658.

However, they have been leading to long tailbacks, especially at peak times. Drivers have reported queues all the way back to the junction of the A1M and beyond.

Harrogate Bus Company said its 21 service between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge has also been caught up in the delays.

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1584480023918309381

Works in the area began at the start of October, but recently moved to the roundabout.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said the queues had eased today, adding:

“Our teams are on site laying a new water main for a new housing development.

“To allow the work to be completed safely, two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place this week.

“These will be manually controlled from 7am to 7pm to minimise disruption as much as possible during busier periods of the day.”

The works in the area are scheduled to continue until November 11.

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

No new issues today on the main routes into Harrogate, such as Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road, but traffic on Wetherby Road has been particularly bad in recent days.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Temporary traffic lights are still in place on the A661 Harrogate Road near Spofforth. The lights are in place while Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work and are due to last until October 18.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Stop go boards are due to be in place on John Street today and on Harcourt Drive.

Roadworks on the Boroughbridge Road at Scriven are likely to cause delays for motorists travelling between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.

Looking ahead, roadworks are due to begin o Cold Bath Road on Monday. Work is also scheduled to begin on Monday to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, which suffered a landslip during storms in  February 2020.

The scheme requires the road to be closed from October 17 to December 9. A diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley on Monday. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 an a weight limit has been in pace since.

Details of the scheme are here.

Trains and buses

Train operator Northern has issued this today:

“Due to significant IT issues this morning, Northern currently do not have access to update any customer information systems. This means that live departure board screens at Northern managed stations may not show the most recent updates and PA systems can not be used.”

The Harrogate Bus Company is not currently reporting any cancellations but you can get updates here.

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Traffic and Travel: Harrogate district updates

Roads

Temporary traffic lights were due to arrive last week on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road, according to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map. The work, due to last for five weeks by Northern Gas Networks, did not begin, but it is likely to do so this week.

Traffic control in the form of stop / go boards is due to be active for two days at the junction of Skipton Road and Regent Parade.

Roadworks remain in place on Montpellier Road in Harrogate, as well as on Crescent Road. The latter works mean motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Resurfacing work at Abbey Road in Knaresborough are due to be in place until October 21 so resurfacing can take place. A road closure and signed diversion will be in place during the works.

The Fellbeck bridge closure, which involves a diversion, is scheduled to last until November 12.

Trains and buses

No reported problems on Northern trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning after Saturday’s rail strikes.

Good news for rail passengers on Harrogate’s LNER services after major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail caused disruption to services for almost two weeks. However, the 7.44am York to London service has been cancelled.

The Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems this morning after police closed the A61 between Ripley and Ripon last night.

You can check bus service updates here.

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Another day of strikes on the rail network means no trains on the Harrogate and Knaresborough line.

Roadworks are affecting several key routes in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough. The wet condition are also likely to cause problems.

Roads

Delays are likely due to roadworks at York Place in Harrogate. according to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map.

Roadworks are also scheduled for Duchy Road and the lane closure remains in place at Crescent Road.

The roadworks on Dragon Road are due to be in place until Friday.

Delays are also expected due to work outside the Curious Cow pub, where Otley Road meets Skipton Road.

The A59 York Road, between Station Road and the A658 at Goldsborough, remains closed overnight until October 6. A diversion will be in place.

The closure will be in place while North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work. The council website says the work will be  carried out between 8pm and 5am but one reader told us yesterday it was until 6am.

At Blossomgate in Ripon, work is due to take place to replace and reset the kerb and improve the road.

Trains and buses

There are no Northern trains today due to a rail strike.

The company is not operating trains today and says there will be “a very limited service on Saturday and customers are advised not to travel” when another strike is planned.

Services are also expected to be affected on Sunday, especially in the morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company has produced a guide to alternative travel on strike days. You can read it here.

 

 

Pateley Bridge mum’s fear over £660 sixth form bus cost

A mother in Pateley Bridge has raised concerns about the cost of getting children to sixth form on the bus.

Sariah Broadhead’s son attends St. Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate.

Nidderdale High School, the only secondary school in Pateley Bridge, does not have a sixth form so her son has to travel for his education.

Ms Broadhead has to pay £660 a year for a bus ticket — something she has had to do for her three other children in the past.

The price of the ticket has become an increasing concern as the cost of living crisis bites. She said:

“With everything going up, with the price, everything is really high.”

Children up to Year 11 are entitled to free travel to their nearest school if they live more than a three-mile walk away.

Pupils can use commercial buses or special services provided by North Yorkshire County Council.

However, although the age for leaving education has increased to 18, no provision has been made for free school transport for over 16s.

Parents can buy a yearly ticket from the county council but this also costs £650 for the year.

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Sariah Broadhead - a Pateley Bridge mum whose son's bus pass cost £660

Sariah Broadhead has to pay £660 for her son’s bus pass (photo: Sariah Broadhead).

This has proved to be a problem in Nidderdale because there are no school buses into Harrogate.

Instead, Ms Broadhead’s son has to take the Harrogate Bus Company’s 24 service.

The company does not provide annual tickets for the route, forcing her to buy a pass which covers the whole of the north of England.

Mrs Broadhead believes the situation has left her “in a catch-22”. She added:

“This is the only option we have. Things are getting tighter.”

In response, a Harrogate Bus Company spokesman said:

“We welcome customer feedback on our ticket range, and fully understand justifiable concerns about the cost of living and financial pressures being experienced across the country.

“The annual version of our Gold pass for under-19s and students represents very good value, especially as it gives unlimited travel throughout our entire network from Manchester and Preston to Scarborough and Whitby, for the equivalent of less than £12.70 a week.”

Search for missing Harrogate woman focuses on North Rigton

The search for missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday is once again focusing on North Rigton after a possible sighting on a bus to Ripon was ruled out.

Judith, 73, was last seen on Saturday, August 27, when she left her care home in Harrogate and walked to the bus station and Library Gardens.

A further sighting the same day in North Rigton has been confirmed by North Yorkshire Police.

Another sighting was reported on September 1 by a passenger on a bus to Ripon but this was ruled out today.

Judith Holliday

Judith Holliday

Judith’s family had been anxiously awaiting CCTV footage from the Harrogate Bus Company to confirm whether or not it was her.

Lucinda Edwards, Judith’s niece, appealed to the company on social media over the weekend to speed up the process of checking the CCTV images.

Lucinda told the Stray Ferret it was frustrating to have to wait until after the weekend for the footage to be assessed.

Ms Edwards, a charity fundraiser from Harrogate, said:

“There’s a vulnerable woman out there. I just feel let down that it’s taken days and days to check the footage.

“We are not looking for a stuffed bunny that’s been lost on a bus, we are looking for a 73-year-old lady and it’s not good enough.”

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A spokesman for the Harrogate Bus Company said:

“We are co-operating fully with the police investigation, as we have done throughout, including provision of CCTV footage.”

Pub sighting

Lucinda, who has been back in North Rigton today searching, said Judith was spotted at the Square and Compass pub in the village early in the afternoon on the day of her disappearance.

She appealed to anyone who may have seen her, or who may have offered her a lift, to come forward.

Relatives spent the weekend giving out flyers in Otley, Ilkley, North Rigton and Wetherby.

In addition, hundreds of posters have gone up across the Harrogate district appealing for information.

Judith Holliday

Posters have gone up across the district.

Judith is described as being of thin build, approximately 5ft in height with medium length grey hair.

She has a condition which presents like vascular dementia, meaning she can get a bit confused, but often comes across as being as sharp as a tack.

Lucinda said:

“The kindness of people helping us to find her has been astonishing.”

North Yorkshire Police said anyone with any information that could assist with the search should call 101 and quote reference number 12220153505.

Any immediate sightings should be reported via 999.