Business rates to reduce for majority of Harrogate firms, says BID

A Harrogate business organisation has said a new business rates valuation will see the majority of local firms pay less.

Following a government review, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt decided to progress with new valuations of properties as part of his autumn statement.

An online service is available to show firms whether their rates will increase from April 1, 2023.

Sara Ferguson, chair of the Harrogate Business Improvement District, said she welcomed the review by government.

She added that while some businesses will see their rateable value rise, they will still receive support from government.

Ms Ferguson said:

“For a number of years, Harrogate BID has been asking the government to review business rates, and I’m really pleased this has now happened.

“Looking at the website, it appears that the majority of the business have seen their business rates reduced, which will be a relief to many, particularly with the rise in fuel, raw materials and energy costs.

“And for those that have seen their rate rise, those at the lower end of the scale will still benefit from rate relief, with plenty of small business not paying anything at all.”

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Last week, Mr Hunt announced £13.6 billion worth of business rates relief targeted at businesses that may see their rates increase.

Mr Hunt said the move would help to “soften the blow” for businesses with new valuations.

Business owners can check their valuations on the government website here.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Some planned roadworks remain in place across the district, which may cause delays for drivers during rush hour this morning.

North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map shows planned temporary lights are due to be put in place on both Hookstone Drive and Leeds Road near Crimple food hall at Pannal.

Both sets of work are being carried out by the county council and are due to remain in place until November 23.

Drivers should be also aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

However, commuters should be aware of planned industrial action on the railways this Saturday (November 26) as the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLF) plan to walkout.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 36 service this morning. You can get updates here.

However, the bus company has announced that the 21 at Goldsborough will be diverted from today due to electrical works on Station Road in the village until December 16.

The service will miss stops towards Knaresborough at Princess Mead, War Memorial and Greystone Farm.

It will also miss stops towards Boroughbridge at Princess Mead, Midgely Land and Nr Roundabout.

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Traffic is moving as normal in the Harrogate district this morning.

However, drivers should expect planned roadworks to start on some routes in the district.

Roads

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map shows planned temporary lights are due to be put in place on both Hookstone Drive and Leeds Road near Crimple food hall at Pannal.

Both sets of work are being carried out by the county council and are due to remain in place until November 23.

Drivers should be also aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

However, the bus company has announced that the 21 at Goldsborough will be diverted from today due to electrical works on Station Road in the village until December 16.

The service will miss stops towards Knaresborough at Princess Mead, War Memorial and Greystone Farm.

It will also miss stop towards Boroughbridge at Princess Mead, Midgely Land and Nr Roundabout

Council could sell garage sites in Ripon and Knaresborough for housing

Affordable housing will be on the agenda at a Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) meeting next week, as two sites in Ripon and Knaresborough are recommended for redevelopment. 

The sites, both rows of lock-up garages, are currently owned by HBC, but a report due to be discussed next Tuesday said they are underused.

According to the report by the cabinet member for housing and safer communities, they could provide much-needed revenue for the council as well as helping to address the shortage of low-cost accommodation in the district. 

The council is recommending that one of the sites, at Park Row in Knaresborough, is sold to Newcastle-based developer Karbon at market value to provide two affordable homes in partnership with Knaresborough Community Land Trust (KCLT). Currently consisting of seven brick-built garages, six of them empty, it has planning permission for two one-bed bungalows. 

The report says the disposal of the Knaresborough site “will deliver two affordable homes at nil cost to the council and in the short to medium term”. 

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HBC is recommending that the Ripon site, a row of brick-built garages between North Road and Bridge View Road, be offered for sale at market value for residential development. 

There is existing planning permission for conversion of the garages to create a three-bed bungalow, but this cannot be implemented as the existing foundations have been deemed unsuitable for the change of use. The underlying geology is high in gypsum, a highly soluble rock prone to forming sinkholes, and ground investigation works will be needed to ensure the site can support a brand-new building. 

The garages between North Road and Bridge View Road in Ripon could be sold for affordable housingThe garages on North Road in Ripon

The council intends to prioritise the sale of the North Road site to one of its registered providers, but if none shows any interest, it may sell the site for self-build. 

Two alternative options for both sites – developing the homes in-house or retaining the properties in their existing form as under-used garage sites – will be recommended for rejection at the housing meeting. 

The report said “disposal of both sites is considered the best way to meet the council’s wider objectives for housing provision” and noted “it is important that sales be progressed swiftly before the market slows”. 

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Commuters travelling to London King’s Cross from Harrogate will need to travel to Leeds to board the service due to train repairs.

Roads

Drivers should be also aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Commuters travelling to London King’s Cross on the 11.36 service will need to travel to Leeds to board the service.

LNER has announced that due to more trains than usual needing repairs, the service will start from Leeds Station.

⚠️#LNERUpdate Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time the 11:36 #Harrogate to #KingsCross due 14:31 will be started from #Leeds
Customers from Harrogate should use Northern services between Harrogate and Leeds and change for the next available LNER service

— London North Eastern Railway (@LNER) November 18, 2022

Passengers will need to use a Northern service on the Harrogate line to get to the station.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

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Met Office issues weather warning for rain in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district is braced for heavy rain today as a weather warning has been issued.

The Met Office has put a yellow warning in place for rain across much of northern England until midnight.

It says that the adverse weather may affect public transport and possibly cause flooding.

The warning says:

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.

“Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

“Should flooding occur, delays or cancellations to train and bus services are likely.”

The warning covers much of the district including Harrogate, Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Heavy rain and a moderate breeze is forecast throughout the day in the district.

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Drivers are urged to take care on the roads this morning as a yellow weather warning for rain is in place.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across the Harrogate district this morning.

It means that adverse weather may affect driving conditions and could cause flooding in areas.

Motorists are urged to take care on the roads during the morning commute.

Meanwhile, drivers should be aware Northern Powergrid is carrying out work on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

The company is undertaking emergency maintenance work near to the football ground.

Drivers should be also aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Drivers heading from Ripon down the A61 should be aware of roadworks in the area which may cause delays.

Long term works on the A658 near Knaresborough are also continuing.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Motorists heading from Ripon towards Ripley and Harrogate could face delays due to temporary lights at Wormald Green.

OpenReach is carrying out work in the area, which includes temporary lights.

The lights are expected to remain until tomorrow (November 16).

Meanwhile, drivers should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road.

Drivers should be aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

Read more:

 

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Drivers are urged to take care this morning due to misty weather in the Harrogate district.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road.

Roadworks on the A61 Ripon Road near Kent Road have ended and temporary lights have been removed.

However, temporary lights are expected to be put in place by CityFibre on Skipton Road near to the Curious Cow.

Drivers should be aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

Read more:

 

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Drivers should be aware of some ongoing roadworks on main routes throughout the Harrogate district this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers should be aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

As reported by the Stray Ferret, three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists this week.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning

Meanwhile, temporary lights are also in place on Otley Road near Killinghall.

The lights are in place as a new entrance for a housing estate is created. The measure is due to end today.

This morning, motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Drivers should also be aware of temporary lights on the A61 Ripon Road near Kent Road. City Fibre is carrying out work until November 13.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

Read more: