Future of Bewerley Park to be decided in the autumn

North Yorkshire County Council has said the review of its outdoor learning centre at Bewerley Park in Pateley Bridge generated a big response.

There was widespread opposition to an announcement in February this year that the future of the two council-run centres — Bewerley Park and East Barnby near Whitby — were under threat. Both centres experienced a dramatic loss of income due to covid.

As a result, senior county councillors voted to review the outdoor learning service.

The review collected feedback from hundreds of adults, children, stakeholders and organisations and looked at the range of facilities and activities the service offers to schools, children and young people.

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It has also looked at the number of people who use the service and the cost of operating it.

Questionnaires were also sent to members of the public, staff and schools in North Yorkshire.

East Barnaby outdoor learning centre

A report containing a recommendation for the future of the outdoor learning service will now go before the council’s executive in autumn.

Cllr Patrick Mulligan said:

“We have had a very high response to questionnaires and engagement exercises and would like to thank everyone who took the time to give their feedback.

“That information is now being used along with extensive data from both residential sites to come up with the most suitable recommendation for the future of outdoor learning services in North Yorkshire.

“The ultimate goal is to ensure we are making the best use of facilities and opportunities for young people in the county and to ensure this is a sustainable service fit for the future.”

Schools have used the facilities at Bewerley Park and East Barnby this summer for day activities.

While the review continues, both sites will be open to schools for residential visits in the forthcoming academic year.

Another 50 covid cases in Harrogate district

Another 50 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

The district’s weekly rate stands at 333 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 309 and the England average is 328.

According to the latest figures, Harrogate District Hospital is treating nine patients for covid.

Harrogate hospital has recorded no covid deaths in the last 24 hours, according to NHS England statistics.

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It means the death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 stands at 180.

Elsewhere, 123,908 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 111,694 have had a second dose.

Harrogate district records 57 covid cases

Another 57 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to latest Public Health England figures.

Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating nine patients for covid.

Harrogate hospital has recorded no covid deaths in the last 24 hours, according to NHS England statistics.

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It means the death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 stands at 180.

The district’s weekly rate stands at 323 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 306 and the England average is 327.

Elsewhere, 123,906 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 111,605 have had a second dose.

Harrogate district covid rate increases for sixth day in a row

The Harrogate district’s coronavirus infection rate has risen for six days in a row for the first time since last month, latest figures show.

The borough’s weekly rate has now climbed to 346 cases per 100,000 people in the first significant increase since mid-July when it reached record levels of 533.

After peaking at these heights, the rate fell steadily then “plateaued” around the 270 mark before this latest increase.

It comes as Harrogate hospital last week reported the death of a coronavirus patient for the first time in more than four months. 

The death was reported on August 16 and brought the hospital’s toll since the pandemic began up to 180.

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Meanwhile, government guidelines on self-isolating have now changed with people who have been fully vaccinated no longer needing to self-isolate 14 days after their second dose.

Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said: 

“Despite the lifting of some restrictions on self-isolating, we ask that people are still mindful of others and remember the guidance that is still in place.

“This includes self-isolating and getting a PCR test if you have any Covid symptoms – even if you have had both doses of the vaccine – and continuing with basic but important hygiene measures such as hand washing.”

He added: 

“In North Yorkshire, 514,000 people have now had their second dose of the vaccine and 75 per cent of 18 to 29 year olds have had their first dose of the vaccine.

“The vaccination of 16 and 17 year olds has also now begun with 18% in the county already vaccinated with their first dose. This is great progress and we hope to see this number climb even higher as weeks go on.”

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire, Ryedale has the highest weekly infection rate with 377 cases per 100,000 people, while Hambleton has the lowest in the county at 230.

Another 75 covid cases reported in Harrogate district

Another 75 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to latest Public Health England figures.

Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating nine patients for covid.

Harrogate hospital has recorded no covid deaths in the last 24 hours. However, earlier this week it reported its first covid death in four months.

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It means the death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 stands at 180.

The district’s weekly rate has increased to 323 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 296 and the England average is 320.

Elsewhere, 123,810 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 110,396 have had a second dose.

Ninety-nine covid infections reported in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district has reported 99 covid infections, according to latest Public Health England figures.

Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating nine patients for covid.

Health officials in North Yorkshire said earlier this week that a “sharp rise” in the number of patients being treated for covid has been reported at the county’s hospitals.

Yesterday, Harrogate hospital recorded its first covid death in four months.

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It means the death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 stands at 180.

The district’s weekly rate has increased to 314 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 292 and the England average is 315.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Connor with you on this cloudy Thursday morning. The roads have been a little quieter in the last few weeks but make sure to let me know if anything slows you down.

This blog, brought to you by the HACS Group, brings you live travel updates until 9am.

Were you stuck in a jam? Are there some new roadworks on your route? Let’s help everyone have a smoother journey by letting me know so I can add it to the blog.

Please give me a call on 01423 276197 or join our Facebook group ‘Harrogate district traffic and travel’ to give any updates.

9am – Full Update 

Thank you for getting involved this morning. We do have a system to keep an eye on the traffic but it cannot beat local reports. So do keep getting in touch. Leah will be back with you tomorrow from 6.30am. I am heading over to the news desk now.

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning but there are a few areas to look out for across the Harrogate district, mainly around construction works.

Our system is showing heavy traffic here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning but there are a few areas to look out for across the Harrogate district, mainly around construction works.

Our system is showing heavy traffic here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning but there are a few areas to look out for across the Harrogate district, mainly around construction works.

Our system is showing heavy traffic here:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning but there are a few areas to look out for across the Harrogate district, mainly around construction works.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning but there are a few areas to look out for across the Harrogate district, mainly around construction works.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning. Make sure to keep checking in as the morning goes on.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Appeal for information after £1,000 damage to Nidd Gorge car park barrier

The Woodland Trust is trying to track down a white van that caused £1,000 of damage to a barrier at the entrance to the Nidd Gorge car park on Ripley Road in Scotton.

Witnesses say they saw the van hit the height restriction barrier as it attempted to enter the car park on Saturday July 31 at about 10am.

The heavy gauge steel barrier was bent backwards and several visitors in the car park at the time gathered around the van. But the vehicle’s number plate has yet to be identified.

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The Woodland Trust owns the car park and maintains the woods in the gorge, which is a popular location for hikers and dog walkers.

A spokesperson for the Woodland Trust said:

“The Woodland Trust is a charity that protects woodland areas for the public good. It relies on donations to do this. Ideally, we would like to identify the driver or vehicle so we can try to recover the approx £1,000 repair cost and not divert it from other essential woodland protection work.

“We would be grateful if anyone can help us to identify the van or driver, by providing a vehicle number plate for example.”

Anyone with information can contact The Woodland Trust on 0330 3333300 or email: enquiries@woodlandtrust.org.uk . Emails should have the subject heading ‘Nidd Gorge – Height Barrier Damage’.

Eighty-five covid cases reported in Harrogate district today as rate rises

Another 85 covid infections have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to latest Public Health England figures.

Harrogate District Hospital is currently treating seven patients for covid. However, no covid-related deaths have been reported at the hospital for four months.

The last time a death was recorded was on April 11.

It means the death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 remains at 179.

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The district’s weekly rate has increased slightly to 283 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 267 and the England average is 307.

Officials in North Yorkshire warned this week the latest figure was still too high and that the wider health and social care sector faced “exceptional” levels of demand

Elsewhere, 123,672 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 109,333 have had a second dose.

Council could compulsory purchase 90 acres of land for £60m Kex Gill road

North Yorkshire County Council is in discussions with landowners to purchase 90 acres of land earmarked for a major £60 million reroute of the A59 at Kex Gill.

A diversion is planned west of Blubberhouses on the A59 at Kex Gill, which has been blighted by a history of landslides and a recent “instability issue” which cost the council £1.4 million.

The council needs to acquire the land before it can begin construction on the scheme.

Council officials said negotiations were ongoing with landowners to reach an agreement on the price of the land, rather than acquire it by a compulsory purchase order.

The Stray Ferret asked the county council how much money has been set aside for the project.

Barrie Mason, assistant director for highway and transportation at the county council, said:

“The Compulsory Purchase Orders and the Side Roads Order recently published for the A59 Kex Gill are a routine part of the process of delivering the scheme.

“Where the CPO relates to land purchase, this is being carried out alongside negotiations with landowners aimed at reaching an agreed, rather than compulsory, purchase.

“We have estimated the likely cost of land purchase, but as negotiations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to disclose these figures now, as that could prejudice those negotiations. We will, of course, make this information public once negotiations are concluded.”

The council has outlined the 90 acres of land it intends to purchase in internal documents.

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Included in the scheme is land off the A59 at Blubberhouse Moor between North Moor Road and Hall Lane, land at Hall Farm and land to the east at Hall Beck. 

Agricultural land along the A59 up to Church Hill is also outlined in the scheme. Woodland east of Hall Lane and west of the River Washburn would also be acquired.

The existing road also passes through an area designated as Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Most of the land earmarked for purchase is woodland or agricultural land.

The authority said any compulsory purchase would be used as a last resort. But the project could be delayed by a further 15 months if an objection is lodged against a compulsory purchase order.

Such an objection would lead to a public inquiry.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, told a full council meeting last month:

“The compulsory purchase and side roads orders have been published with a formal consultation period until the end of August.

“The project programme without a public inquiry indicates that construction could start this autumn. On the other hand, if a public inquiry is required, the start of works could be delayed by up to 15 months.”