Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge is to move permanently from its traditional Monday slot to a Sunday.

The show, which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year, was forced to change dates last month when the Queen’s funeral was arranged on the same day on Monday, September 19.

The event, which attracts about 13,000 people, was hastily brought forward by 24 hours to a Sunday.

Bewerley Park. Credit: Jemison Photographer

The weekend date proved popular and the show committee has now decided the event will be held on a Sunday annually, with September 24 scheduled for next year.

Show press officer Alex Smith said the weekend was more attractive to families and would make it easier to find stewards and judges.

She added:

“Pretty much everybody was in favour of changing it to a Sunday.

“Many people said if they had known it would be on a Sunday this year they would have entered an exhibit.

“The children’s horse riding classes had low entries — many categories will benefit if the show takes place on a Sunday because more children and families will attend.”

Nidderdale Agricultural Committee stages the event at Bewerley Park.

Read more:

• Nidderdale Show moved after date of Queen’s funeral announced
• Pateley woman, 65, completes Nidderdale triathlon alone after cancellation

Drivers should be aware of temporary traffic lights on Wetherby Road which have caused delays during rush hour.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Temporary lights on Wetherby Road have been put in place by Yorkshire Water and are causing delays in both directions during rush hour traffic.

The lights are set to remain until October 21.

Meanwhile, temporary traffic lights on the A61 near Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall are also expected to cause disruption this morning.

The lights have been put in place by Yorkshire Water and will remain until October 20.

Northern Gas Networks is still carrying out work on the A661 Harrogate Road near Spofforth.

Traffic light signals are also in place in the area, which may cause delays heading towards Wetherby and Harrogate.

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 have started 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. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

Details of the scheme are here.

Trains and buses

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

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1C, 7 and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Read more:

• Nidderdale road to be repaired — nearly three years after storm damage
• Could Harrogate’s ‘little temple’ be moved to ‘neglected’ Starbeck?

The three Conservative MPs whose constituencies include the Harrogate district have declined to comment on today’s emergency statement.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt reversed almost all of Prime Minister Liz Truss’s tax cuts, which were announced in the government’s mini-budget three weeks ago.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, welcomed last month’s growth plan, saying on his Community News website:

“There are a huge number of measures, many focused on our productivity and investment which are the platforms for future growth. So, plenty to be positive about here in Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

Today we asked Mr Jones, along with Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, and Nigel Adams, who represents Selby and Ainsty, to comment on today’s announcement by Mr Hunt.

We also asked them whether the Prime Minister should resign, after three Conservative MPs called for her to do so.

Neither Mr Jones nor Mr Smith had replied by the time of publication.

Read more:

• Andrew Jones MP launches ‘non-political’ fact-checking service
• Harrogate business chief: government’s economic credentials ‘in tatters’

Mr Smith was critical of the tax cutting agenda in last month’s mini-budget. He said at the time:

“In a statement with many positive enterprise measures this huge tax cut for the very rich at a time of national crisis and real fear and anxiety amongst low income workers and citizens is wrong.”

Maire Crosse, Mr Adams’ senior parliamentary assistant, did reply but only to say:

“Nigel is away today and not contactable. Therefore, he will not be providing a comment.”

Call for Harrogate district to be connected to West Yorkshire mass transit system

A senior Harrogate councillor has called on the government to consider connecting the district with West Yorkshire’s proposed mass transit system.

Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said in a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport that the district should be considered as part of the £2 billion plans because of its “strong linkages” with Leeds and other parts of the neighbouring county.

He also said improved connections would compliment the £11.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway project, which is centred around the town’s train station, with cash coming from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

The Conservative councillor for Harrogate Duchy said: 

“We welcome the commitment to build a mass transit system for Leeds and West Yorkshire and think there could be strong linkages to improve connectivity between West Yorkshire and Harrogate/North Yorkshire.

“Integration of the mass transit system with the transport system in Harrogate would also further build on the excellent linkages being designed as part of the Transforming Cities Fund proposals.”

The mass transit system has been in the planning stages for years, and upgrades are proposed for routes which connect Leeds, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax and Bradford, but not Harrogate which historically was part of the West Riding of Yorkshire.

It is not known exactly what type of transport will run across the route yet, with the likes of tram trains and electric buses both under consideration.

It has also been suggested that driverless vehicles could be incorporated into the project, which is due to be completed by 2040.

Read more:

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Cllr Swift, who is also cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, highlighted opportunities for the York-Harrogate-Leeds rail line where he expressed disappointment over recent cuts to morning services from operator Northern Rail.

He also signalled his support for the long called for electrification of the rail line as he warned that Harrogate’s “constrained” transport network was one of the main barriers preventing the growth of higher paid jobs.

Cllr Swift added that other proposals to improve signalling between Harrogate and York were of particular importance given the huge housing plans for a new settlement of between 3,000 and 4,000 homes centred around Cattal train station.

He said the village to be named Maltkiln will provide “a fantastic opportunity for further investment on the line and a boost to patronage levels”.

Harrogate Borough Council has also described the development as a place “where people are not dependent on a car,” adding that it will have “safe and attractive walking and cycling routes which connect people, places and facilities, including nearby villages; while bus and train links enable longer journeys”.

A latest consultation on the housing plans is currently underway and residents have until 14 November to comment online here.

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

However, some roadworks are set to begin on main routes in the district next week.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

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.

Meanwhile, motorists should be aware of temporary lights on Cold Bath Road from Monday (October 18).

The lights are part of gasworks being carried out by Northern Gas Networks and are expected to cause delays.

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

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

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

Read more:

• Gasworks on Cold Bath Road rescheduled until Monday
• Pateley woman, 65, completes Nidderdale triathlon alone after cancellation

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• ‘Deeply alarming’: Harrogate council uses CCTV from Chinese Communist Party controlled firm
• Harrogate council charge police over £110,000 for CCTV since 2016

Work is scheduled to begin on Monday to reconstruct a road near Pateley Bridge — two-and-a-half years after it was damaged by storms.

The section of the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, suffered a landslip when storms in February 2020 caused the land below the roads to subside.

Since then, the road has been kept open because of the introduction of a weight limit and temporary traffic lights.

Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation,  said:

“Following extensive ground investigations and negotiations with the private landowner, we are now able to undertake this work to stabilise the land, reconstruct the carriageway and improve the drainage of the road and the land supporting it.

“When this is complete, we will be able to remove the temporary traffic lights and the weight limit.”

The £480,000 scheme will involve stabilising the top of the slope next to the road, reconstructing the carriageway, repairing the highway drainage and stabilising, drainage and landscaping work on the slope below the carriageway.

The work is expected to take nine weeks, with a planned completion date of Friday, December 16.

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.

Cllr Andrew Murday, county councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, said:

“We have been waiting for these repairs to be done for a long time. The closure will be very inconvenient for people, but the work needs to be done and when it is complete people will feel the benefit.”

Read more:

• Gasworks on Cold Bath Road rescheduled until Monday
• Pateley woman, 65, completes Nidderdale triathlon alone after cancellation

The main routes into Harrogate, such as Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road, appear to be flowing normally in the approach to rush hour.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers heading towards Wetherby should be aware of temporary traffic lights 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 now due to last until October 18.

Elsewhere in Harrogate, 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.

Montpellier Road remains closed until tomorrow as Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work.

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

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

Looking ahead, work is 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.

Trains and buses

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

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

Read more:

• Gasworks on Cold Bath Road rescheduled until Monday
• Harrogate district businesses ask police for help tackling anti-social behaviour

Council tax bills for a Band D property in Harrogate are set to fall by £23.47 for the next two years as part of the transition to the new North Yorkshire Council.

Harrogate Borough Council currently charges the highest council tax of the seven district councils in North Yorkshire.

An average band D property in the district is currently £1,723.27, compared with £1,586.83 in Hambleton, which has the lowest level of council tax in the county.

The seven councils will be abolished on April 1 as part of the government’s devolution agenda and North Yorkshire County Council is to meet next week to discuss ways to harmonise the level of payment across the county.

Under plans being drawn up, Band D bills in the Harrogate district would fall by £23.47 a year for two years while Hambleton’s bills would increase by £89.49.

However, the rises and falls due to harmonisation do not take into account the annual increase in council tax bills, which is set to be approved by county councillors in February. The figures also relate to just the precept for county and district authorities, and do not include money for North Yorkshire Police, the county’s fire brigade and parish or town councils.

If a Harrogate town council is formed, the precept for people living in the town council area would increase.

Decision on Tuesday

The advent of a new council covering the whole of the county in April means there is a legal requirement to ensure all council taxpayers in North Yorkshire are charged the same amount.

The proposals to phase this in over the next two years will be considered by members of North Yorkshire County Council’s decision-making executive when they meet on Tuesday next week. They are based on recommendations by a cross-party working group of councillors.

The working group, which was established by the county council’s executive in June, considered a range of proposals, including harmonising council tax bills over a period of up to eight years.

Read more:

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North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for finance, Cllr Gareth Dadd, who is also the authority’s deputy leader, said:

“The challenge to harmonise council tax bills across the county is obviously a significant one, but it is an issue we have to address before the new North Yorkshire Council is launched in April next year.

“We are acutely aware of the financial pressures which everyone is under not just in North Yorkshire, but across the whole country, as we see inflation rising and the cost of energy soar along with the price of food and drink and other essential items.

“A great deal of work has gone into the proposed scheme to harmonise council tax bills across all seven districts, and we believe that the plan that has been drawn up to introduce the changes over the two years represents the fairest way forward for everyone involved.”

There would be huge variations in the amount of funding generated if the decision was taken to opt for moving council tax levels to the lowest amount seen in Hambleton or choosing to adopt the highest level in Harrogate.

If council tax bills were brought in line with Hambleton, there would be an annual reduction of funding in the region of £21 million, falling from the current level of £401.8 million to £380.4 million.

By comparison, an extra £11.3 million would be generated by increasing council tax bills to the level currently paid in the Harrogate district, with the average across North Yorkshire for owners of a Band D property paying £1,723.27 instead of £1,676.32.

Funding from council tax is used to finance services ranging from waste collection and recycling to highways maintenance and adult social care.

While traffic is moving as normal, drivers should expect the usual queues on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road during rush hour this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers heading towards Wetherby should be aware of temporary traffic lights still in place on the A661 Harrogate Road near Spofforth.

The lights are in place while Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work until October 13.

Elsewhere in Harrogate, 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.

Montpellier Road remains closed until tomorrow as Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work.

Trains and buses

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

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on its 1, 1C, 7 and 36 services this morning.

You can find out more on the disruption to services here.

Read more:

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