Harrogate district reports three more covid cases

Three further covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district.

According to latest Public Health England figures, it takes the total number of cases since last March to 7,754.

The daily number of cases reported is based on PCR and lateral flow tests returning positive results.

However, if someone with a positive lateral flow test later has a negative result with a PCR test, the earlier result will be removed.

Read more:

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

According to NHS England figures, the most recent death of a patient who tested positive for covid was recorded on April 11.

It means the death toll at the hospital since last March remains at 179.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 13 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 13 and the England rate is 25.

Five further covid cases in Harrogate district

Five further covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district.

According to latest Public Health England figures, it takes the total number of cases since last March to 7,751.

The daily number of cases reported is based on PCR and lateral flow tests returning positive results.

However, if someone with a positive lateral flow test later has a negative result with a PCR test, the earlier result will be removed.

Read more:

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

According to NHS England figures, the last death from a patient who tested positive for covid was recorded on April 11.

It means the death toll at the hospital since last March remains at 179.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 13 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 12 and the England rate is 25.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcomes back. It’s Connor here this morning with 15-minute updates on the road and rail links near you.

There are a number of continuing temporary traffic lights this morning worth keeping an eye on.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are to keep you updated as the district’s roads get busier.

If you see anything please get in touch, if it is safe to do so, on 01423 276197 or via social media.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

That is all from me today, I am heading over to the news desk now. Leah will be back with you from 6.30am tomorrow. The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking okay so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

  • Oakdale near Oakdale Golf Club
  • Skipton Road near Roberts Crescent, near ESSO petrol station
  • Otley Road from Cold Bath Road to Harlow Moor Road
  • Follifoot Road both ways from the turning at the Pannal traffic lights
  • Hollins Lane, between West Lane and Brookfield, near Hampsthwaite
  • Wetherby Road, B6164, near Spofforth Lane at Little Ribston
  • Clotherholme Road at the junction for Lark Lane, Ripon
  • Knaresborough Road towards Knaresborough
  • Boroughbridge Road near Ferrensby

Trains

  • Trains appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations

Buses

  • Buses also appear to be running well in the Harrogate district with no delays or cancellations
First covid vaccine tally in Harrogate district soars to 105,000

More than 105,000 first doses of a covid vaccine have now been given in the Harrogate district, according to Public Health England.

A total of 105,518 first and 68,854 second vaccines have been administered in the district.

It means the take-up rate in the district stands at 74% for a first dose and 48% for a second dose.

in other covid news today, two more cases of the infection have been reported in the Harrogate district.

According to Public Health England, 7,746 cases have been recorded since the start of the pandemic.

The daily number of cases reported is based on PCR and lateral flow tests returning positive results.

However, if someone with a positive lateral flow test later has a negative result with a PCR test, the earlier result will be removed.

Read more:

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

According to NHS England figures, the last death from a patient who tested positive for covid was recorded on April 11.

It means the death toll at the hospital since last March remains at 179.

Calls for greater action on hundreds of empty homes in Harrogate district

There are calls for greater action to reduce the number of homes lying empty across the Harrogate district while thousands of residents remain stuck on the social housing waiting list due to a “desperate” lack of affordable properties.

Official data shows 774 homes have sat empty for more than six months – a figure which has fallen slightly from 838 in 2019 but councillors and campaigners say must come down at a more dramatic rate in order to get to grips with the housing crisis.

About 1,700 households are in the queue for council housing, and with property prices reaching record heights the fear is many may be stuck there for some time unless greater action is taken by Harrogate Borough Council.

The council itself has previously said there is a “desperate” need for more affordable properties but has defended its record on empty homes, with its cabinet member for safer communities and housing, councillor Mike Chambers, saying “every effort” is made to work with landlords and that tougher action is taken whenever necessary.

Councillor Chambers said:

“In the last two years, through this proactive approach, we have seen a 25% reduction of properties empty for more than five years.

“Our dedicated empty homes officer is working hard to identify empty properties, engage with owners and look at what else can be done to increase this reduction.

“It is important that everyone living in Harrogate district has the opportunity of a decent and quality home. We are committed to providing this and have a number of plans in place – such as requiring developers to provide a specific amount of affordable housing as well the aims of our own housing company Bracewell Homes – that will support local people into affordable rented homes or to get on the property ladder.”

Over the last 12 months, the council has carried out just two compulsory purchase orders where efforts to bring empty homes back into use have failed and legal action is taken against landlords as a last resort to force them to sell their properties.

The opposition Liberal Democrat group on the council said a stricter approach on compulsory purchase orders was needed to reduce empty homes, which are “compounding deeply entrenched problems” including high property prices, the lack of affordable homes and long stays in temporary accommodation.

Liberal Democrat leader councillor Pat Marsh said:

“I know there is a cost to compulsory purchase and the refurbishment of properties, but it still must be cheaper than buying on the open market and it means less green space being taken away.

“Alternatively, the council could actively build houses on land it owns, such as at Pannal.

“We cannot stand by and allow people to live in bed and breakfast or hostel accommodation for weeks on end and then the only accommodation we build is temporary on Spa Lane in Starbeck. People need homes on a permanent not temporary basis.

“With 1,700 people on the waiting list we need action now. Relying solely on the delivery of affordable homes from planning permissions for large development is never going to address this issue.

“When will this council start to take the issue of homelessness and lack of affordable housing seriously?”

What is the national picture?

Action on Empty Homes, which is England’s leading campaign group on the issue, has published figures which show numbers hit a record high in 2020 with 268,385 long-term empty homes across the country.

It is calling on the government to launch a national empty homes strategy backed by a £200m fund and new powers to support local authorities.

Through this fund, it wants to see a streamlining of compulsory purchase orders powers and more cash for community-led projects that sustainably refurbish long-term empty homes.

Read more:

Speaking earlier this year, Will McMahon, director of Action on Empty Homes, said:

“In 2020 there was a 20% rise in long term empty homes numbers with increases in nine out of every ten local council areas. That is a national scandal of wasted homes that mirrors our national housing crisis – and that calls into question why these homes are not being brought back to use to help address that.

“That’s why we call for a new programme of government investment and why we back local councils’ calls for better and simpler powers to act where owners and landlords won’t or can’t.”

Why are homes left empty?

There are numerous reasons properties can lie empty. In some instances, landlords cannot afford to renovate their property to sell or rent out.

Properties may also have been inherited and the new owners don’t know what to do with them. Rentals can also fall below safety standards which means they sit vacant until the problems are fixed.

What else can be done? 

As well as carrying out compulsory purchase orders, the government has also given councils powers to charge an additional 100% council tax on properties that have been empty for two years.

Empty Dwelling Management Orders can also be issued for long term empty properties that are attracting vandalism and causing a nuisance to the community.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcomes back. It’s Connor here this morning with 15-minute updates on the road and rail links near you.

There are a number of continuing temporary traffic lights this morning worth keeping an eye on.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are to keep you updated as the district’s roads get busier.

If you see anything please get in touch, if it is safe to do so, on 01423 276197 or via social media.

9am – Full Update 

That’s it from me today, I’ll be back again tomorrow morning. Have a great day.

Roads

Today’s traffic hotspots:

Traffic is building in these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

Today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to get busy this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to get busy this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to get busy this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to get busy this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to get busy this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking ok so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking ok so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking ok so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking ok so far this morning, keep checking in for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Four covid cases reported in Harrogate district

Four positive cases of covid have been reported in the Harrogate district.

According to latest Public Health England figures, the total number of infections since last March stands at 7,737.

The daily number of cases reported is based on PCR and lateral flow tests returning positive results. However, if someone with a positive lateral flow test later has a negative result with a PCR test, the earlier result will be removed.

Read more:

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 11 per 100,000 people.

In North Yorkshire, the average is 13 and the England rate is 22.

One covid case reported in Harrogate district

Just one positive case of covid have been reported in the Harrogate district.

According to latest Public Health England figures, the total number of infections since last March stands at 7,733.

Yesterday, the government has changed the way it records daily cases of coronavirus in England.

The daily number of cases reported is based on PCR and lateral flow tests returning positive results. However, if someone with a positive lateral flow test later has a negative result with a PCR test, the earlier result will be removed.

Meanwhile, no further deaths form patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

Read more:

The death toll at the hospital remains at 179 since last March.

The last reported covid death at the hospital was on April 11.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 12 per 100,000 people.

In North Yorkshire, the average is 13 and the England rate is 22.

Total vaccine doses in Harrogate district near 170,000

Nearly 170,000 covid vaccine doses have been given in the Harrogate district, according to the latest government figures.

Public Health England data show that a total of 168,858 have been given.

The number includes 104,487 first vaccines and 63,371 second jabs.

Figures show that first doses have steadily increased throughout this month, with the latest data showing 1,011 people received a first jab on May 19.

As demonstrated by the graph below, April saw the number of those receiving their first covid vaccine plateau due to a national shortage in supply.

First doses (green) and second doses (blue) of covid vaccines in the Harrogate district since December 2020. Data: Public Health England.

First doses (green) and second doses (blue) of covid vaccines in the Harrogate district since December 2020. Data: Public Health England.

Since then, numbers have gradually increased and those in their 30s are now being invited to book their first appointment.

Read more:

Currently, those aged 32 and over are eligible to come forward for a vaccine.

It comes as two vaccination centres in the Harrogate district are set to close in August.

Both the Great Yorkshire Showground and Ripon Racecourse will close down. The two GP-led sites have administered more than 120,000 jabs so far.

However, the pharmacy sites in Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge will remain open.

Dr Ian Dilley, a GP partner at East Parade Surgery in Harrogate and clinical director of the Mowbray Square Primary Care Network, said earlier this week:

“With the huge number of people now vaccinated in the local area, we feel August is an appropriate end date.

“We need to be mindful of the other pressures that will be placed on doctors’ surgeries as we head towards autumn and winter, and the annual flu vaccine campaigns that GP practices need to provide.

“We also need to enable our kind hosts at the Yorkshire Events Centre and Ripon Racecourse to provide their own events as restrictions continue to be eased and more public events are permitted.”

All Harrogate district social distancing planters and cones up for review

All street planters and cones used to promote social distancing in the Harrogate district are set to be reviewed next month.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has confirmed that the measures will remain in place until the review, which is due to be held at the end of June.

It comes amid growing calls for their removal in the form of a petition and a group of businesses in Knaresborough.

Read more:

Those people believe that Harrogate and Knaresborough need parking spaces more than the social distancing enforcements as the lockdown eases.

The county council closed off parking bays in the towns at the start of the pandemic to give pedestrians more room to spread out.

Under the Government’s roadmap, all social distancing measures are set to be dropped on June 21. That is around the time NYCC will hold its review.

A council spokesperson said:

“We can confirm all social distancing measures will be in place until the review at the end of June.

“We have met regularly with local councillors and representatives from the town council and chamber of trade over the past 12 months to ensure that the social distancing measures in place are appropriate.

“No businesses have sent us a request to remove them.”