Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Traffic is moving as normal during rush hour this morning, with the usual queues on Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update

Roads

As previously reported, Northern Gas Networks is carrying out the work to replace ageing pipework. Work has started with temporary lights on Cold Bath Road.

Further gas works will see road closures and temporary traffic lights on many of the main routes into town, including Ripon Road and Kings Road just as children return to school.

As part of the work, a lane closure will be introduced on Crescent Road between Montpellier Road and Parliament Street along with four-way lights on Crescent Road, Parliament Street, Ripon Road and Kings Road from Monday September 5 for two weeks

Meanwhile, a road closure is in place on Oakdale in Harrogate until September 5 as Northern Gasworks carries out work in the area.

Temporary lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as the company carries out replacement work to gas pipes.

The lights will remain in place until Monday.

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 no cancellations on its services this morning.

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

Read more

 

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers should expect the usual traffic in the Harrogate district during rush hour this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Traffic is moving as normal during rush hour this morning, with the usual queues on Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road.

However, motorists should be aware of 10 weeks of roadworks in Harrogate which started yesterday.

As previously reported, Northern Gas Networks is carrying out the work to replace ageing pipework. Work has started with temporary lights on Cold Bath Road.

Further gas works will see road closures and temporary traffic lights on many of the main routes into town, including Ripon Road and Kings Road just as children return to school.

A road closure is in place on Oakdale in Harrogate until September 5 as Northern Gasworks carries out work in the area.

Meanwhile, temporary lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as the company carries out replacement work to gas pipes.

The lights will remain in place until Monday.

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 1A, 1B, 1C and 36 services this morning.

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

Read more:

 

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup

Work is due to start today on gas works in the Harrogate area which will cause delays for drivers.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

As previously reported, drivers in the Harrogate area should be aware of planned roadworks which will last for 10 weeks from today (August 30).

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out the work to replace ageing pipework. Work is due to start on Cold Bath Road today.

Further gas works will see road closures and temporary traffic lights on many of the main routes into town, including Ripon Road and Kings Road just as children return to school.

A road closure is in place on Oakdale in Harrogate until September 5 as Northern Gasworks carries out work in the area.

Meanwhile, temporary lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as the company carries out replacement work to gas pipes.

The lights will remain in place until September 5.

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 no cancellations on its services this morning.

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

Read more:

 

Don’t call 999 to report hosepipe ban breaches, say police

Police have urged people not to call 999 to report breaches of the hosepipe ban in the Harrogate district.

Yorkshire Water announced the ban this month following days of dry weather and high temperatures.

It comes into force today and is the first hosepipe ban in the area since 1995.

Now, North Yorkshire Police has urged the public not to report any breaches to the force.

Police said in a statement that any flouting of the ban was a civil matter not a criminal one and any calls would divert handlers away from “real emergencies”.

The force said:

“In other parts of the county, we’ve already seen colleagues receiving hundreds of 999 calls about the hosepipe bans, even before restrictions come into place.

“But the hosepipe ban is a civil matter, not a criminal one, and should not be reported to the police.

“And crucially, every call made to the police about the hosepipe ban is diverting our call handlers away from dealing with real emergencies.”

Police have urged people to follow advice on the Yorkshire Water website if they suspect potential breaches of the ban.

It comes as the Harrogate district is officially in drought following long spells of dry weather this summer.

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The Environment Agency declared the drought status last week. The last drought in Yorkshire was declared in autumn 2018.

On the hosepipe ban, Neil Dewis, director of water at Yorkshire Water, said:

“Parts of Yorkshire have seen the lowest rainfall since our records began more than 130 years ago.

“The hot, dry, weather means that Yorkshire’s rivers are running low and our reservoirs are around 20% lower than we would expect for this time of year.

“We’ve been doing everything we can to avoid putting in restrictions but unfortunately, they’re now necessary as part of our drought planning.”

The hosepipe ban includes:

Watering a garden using a hosepipe
Cleaning vehicles or boats using a hosepipe
Watering plants with a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
Cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe

People can still undertake these activities without using a hosepipe if they use tap water from a bucket or watering can; or use water that is not sourced from taps such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt, or a private borehole, for example.

Businesses will be allowed to use a hosepipe if it is directly related to a commercial purpose.

There are restrictions on using a hosepipe if not for those essential commercial needs – so using a hosepipe to clean a path outside a business property, for example, would not be allowed.

Blue badge holders, those on Yorkshire Water’s Priority Services register or WaterSure tariff for medical reasons, are also excluded from the ban.

More information is available here.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers should be aware of the usual rush hour traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Meanwhile, many motorists in the Harrogate are set to face roadworks for 10 weeks after the bank holiday weekend.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

As previously reported, drivers in the Harrogate area should be aware of planned roadworks which will last for 10 weeks from Tuesday (August 30).

It will see road closures and temporary traffic lights on many of the main routes into town, including Ripon Road, Kings Road and Cold Bath Road just as children return to school.

Meanwhile, a road closure is in place on Oakdale in Harrogate until September 5 as Northern Gasworks carries out work in the area.

Temporary lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as Northern Gas Networks carries out replacement work to gas pipes.

The lights will remain in place until September 5.

Those using the A1(M) towards Wetherby should be aware of traffic due to Leeds Festival at Bramham Park starting this weekend.

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 its 36 service this morning.

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

Read more:

 

Considering divorce? Before you do anything, read this…

This article is sponsored by Harrogate Family Law.

If the prospect of divorce has crossed your mind, you’ll know it’s one of the biggest decisions you could ever make.

Whether you have been married for many years or only a short time, considering ending the relationship can be daunting: from finances to children, there are many aspects which make the situation feel complicated.

Before you make a decision, here are some suggestions which could make the process easier for everyone involved.

Speak to a solicitor

This may feel like a big step, and one which should come much further down the line, but it’s actually something many people do in the early stages – even before speaking to their spouse.

Andrew Meehan, director of Harrogate Family Law, said:

“A lot of people come to us when they haven’t even decided it’s finally over.

“It’s the biggest decision you will ever make in your life, but most people have never been through it before.

“Knowledge is power: people want to know what they are in for and what they would potentially come out with.”

Choose the right law firm

It’s important to do your research and be confident in your choice. Your solicitor will need to know everything about your life, including your finances, so make sure it’s someone you feel comfortable with.

Solicitors are not just there to resolve disputes, but are an essential part of ensuring any agreement is legally sound.

Mr Meehan said:

“Even if you have agreed a settlement with your ex-partner, it still needs to be put into a court order so it’s binding.

“People sometimes think that the introduction of no-fault divorces means they don’t need to have everything done through solicitors, but that’s not the case.

“Whether it’s an amicable settlement or things are more contentious, it is really important to get the right advice to ensure your settlement is fair from the outset and will be fair to you in the future too.”

Do your research

In many divorces, there is an imbalance of assets between the two parties. While one person having a higher income than another can be obvious, it’s often also the case that pensions, trusts, business ownership and other factors need to be considered to ensure the settlement is fair.

Getting all the information together will help your solicitor to ensure you get what is fair and that your needs for the future will be protected.

Mr Meehan said:

“We deal with a lot of cases where there is a family business to consider, or where one partner has focused on their career to earn money for the family while the other has taken a step back to raise the children and look after things at home.

“Not only does that mean their current incomes are vastly different, but it also means their future earning potential, their pension provision and their other assets can be affected quite significantly.

“Knowing all of these details helps us to get the full picture of the finances and ensure they are split fairly, so one partner is not disadvantaged because of the role they played while the family was together.”

Don’t panic

Facing divorce at the outset can be a worrying time, even if it is likely to be amicable.

When you add in potential challenges, such as one partner making the situation more difficult or displaying narcissistic tendencies, it can feel insurmountable.

However, your solicitor should be there to guide you through it and ensure the end result is right for you, said Mr Meehan.

“Our strapline is ‘on your side’ and that’s what a good solicitor should be. They should understand your worries and help to put your mind at ease.

“We know that people are often concerned about the necessities: keeping a roof over their heads, having money to pay bills and cover their legal fees, and managing their finances before the settlement is agreed.

“Having the right solicitor who understands this is absolutely essential for your peace of mind, now and in the future.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Some roadworks in the Harrogate area may cause delays for motorists this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers should be aware of the usual rush hour traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

A road closure remains in place on Station Avenue in Harrogate as North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work.

According to the county council’s roadworks map, the closure will remain until Friday, August 26.

Motorists in Harrogate should also be aware of temporary traffic lights on Wetherby Road, which may cause delays during rush hour.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work near to the Pavilions, which is due to finish on Friday.

The company is also carrying out repairs to a water pipe on North Street in Ripon which means the road is closed.

The closure is due to be in place until Friday.

Meanwhile, a road closure is in place on Oakdale in Harrogate until September 5 as Northern Gasworks carries out work in the area.

Meanwhile, lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as Northern Gas Networks carries out replacement work to gas pipes in the area.

The lights will remain in place until September 5.

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 no cancellations on its services this morning.

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

Read more:

 

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

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

However, temporary lights and road closures in some parts of the district may cause delays this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic roundup.

Roads

A road closure remains in place on Station Avenue in Harrogate as North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work.

According to the county council’s roadworks map, the closure will remain until Friday, August 26.

Motorists in Harrogate should also be aware of temporary traffic lights on Wetherby Road, which may cause delays during rush hour.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work near to the Pavilions, which is due to finish on Friday.

Temporary lights have also been put in place by the company on Hookstone Drive until August 30.

Yorkshire Water is also carrying out repairs to a water pipe on North Street in Ripon which means the road is closed.

The closure is due to be in place until Friday.

Meanwhile, lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as Northern Gas Networks carries out replacement work to gas pipes in the area.

The lights will remain in place until September 5.

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 the 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 7 and the 36 services this morning.

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

Read more:

 

Rise in empty homes adds pressure on Harrogate district housing market

The number of empty homes in the Harrogate district has increased post-covid despite the district’s severe shortage of affordable housing.

Harrogate Borough Council figures show there are currently 801 properties that have stood empty for more than six months – up from 758 in February.

There are also 204 properties that have been empty for over two years, while 30 have been vacant for over a decade.

This comes at a time when housing is in desperate need, with high property prices and a national decline in real wages forcing residents out of Harrogate, which remains as one of the most unaffordable places to live in the UK.

There are also around 1,800 households on the council’s housing register.

The council said it has continued efforts since introducing an empty homes strategy in 2019, although it added much of the responsibility to ensure these properties don’t put pressure on the housing market was on homeowners themselves.

It said in a report: 

“The council has agreed to pursue enforcement action where necessary as part of the empty homes strategy.

“Empty homes represent a wasted housing resource; they also pose other problems for local authorities, owners, neighbours, emergency services and the environment.

“They are often a blemish on an area and can be subject to vandalism and anti-social behaviour.”

The council has carried out enforcement action on several empty properties through compulsory purchase orders which allow it to take ownership without the consent of the owner.

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However, the council’s first step is to always make an offer to buy these buildings.

It has set aside £2.5 million for this and has recently proposed to buy three buildings on Almsford Road, Rawson Street and Hartwith Drive in Harrogate, and one on Kings Road in Knaresborough.

The council said there is “no guarantee” that an empty homeowner will agree to sell and that in order to take enforcement action the authority must demonstrate it has “exhausted all efforts” to return the property to use.

It said:

“This includes enabling the empty homeowner to sell their home voluntarily.

“In cases where an offer is refused this forms the basis of reviewing further enforcement action such as compulsory purchase, enforced sale or an empty dwelling management order.”

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.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers should be aware of temporary traffic lights on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road which may cause delays during rush hour this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

In Harrogate, a road closure is expected to be put in place on Station Avenue as North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work.

According to the county council’s roadworks map, the closure will be in place until Friday, August 26.

Motorists in Harrogate should also be aware of temporary traffic lights on Wetherby Road, which may cause delays during rush hour.

Yorkshire Water is carry out work near to the Pavilions, which is due to finish on Friday.

The company is also carrying out repairs to a burst water pipe on North Street in Ripon which means the road is closed.

The closure is due to be in place until Friday.

Meanwhile, lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as Northern Gas Networks carries out replacement work to gas pipes in the area.

The lights will remain in place until September 5.

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 no cancellations on its services this morning.

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

Read more: