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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

Here is this morning’s update on traffic and travel across the Harrogate district.

Spotted anything else? Email us the details and we’ll add it below to help others get around this morning.

Harrogate

The long-term gas works on Crescent Road In Harrogate town centre are due to be paused this week.

Motorists are still unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction and traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right but by next week the restrictions should have ended.

Roadworks near the Harrogate Town ground on Wetherby Road in Harrogate are due to end today.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, two sets of traffic lights will be active on Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.

The top of Woodfield Road is also closed to traffic leaving Skipton Road, though open to vehicles leaving Woodfield onto Skipton Road. Those works are scheduled to end today.

Kingsley Drive remains closed between Birstwith Road and Rydal Road until November 6. There are also temporary traffic lights on Kingsley Road while work continues to create an access road to the new housing development.

Knaresborough

Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.

Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

Kirkgate Road in central Knaresborough is closed today for works to the kerbs.

Several sets of two-way traffic lights are in place along the A6055 Boroughbridge Road between Knaresborough and Minskip.

Branton Lane in Great Ouseburn is closed until next Friday while Yorkshire Water lays a new main.

Ripon and Nidderdale

In Ripon, roadworks are due to conclude on Heckler Lane and New Road today.

Stumps Lane in Darley is closed for another week for a sewer to be connected.

Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

The road is closed and a diversion is 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.

Fell Beck Bridge remains closed for works until November 6, with a diversion in place via Burnt Yates and Summerbridge.

Trains and buses

Rail operator Northern is not reporting any significant problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning but the live departure and arrival board for Harrogate shows the 7.09am Northern service to York is currently running seven minutes late.

The Harrogate Bus Company is not currently reporting any cancellations or significant delays on its services. You can get updates here.

An early warning for you: there are some changes to bus timetables on the horizon, taking effect from Sunday, November 6. Most of these are minor, but in a more significant change, the 36 will no longer offer ‘neighbourhood journeys’ from Bilton and Jennyfield to Leeds.

The bus company said this is down to low passenger numbers. Passengers can still get tickets through to Leeds if they start their journeys on the 2A, 2B or 3.

Check the full details on the Harrogate Bus Company website.

Council to explore ‘alternative educational uses’ for Woodfield school

North Yorkshire County Council has said it will consider “alternative educational uses” for Woodfield Community Primary School‘s buildings after it closes.

Councillors confirmed this week the 56-year-old Bilton school will close on December 31.

The council claims it has “exhausted all options” to keep the school open after years of falling pupil numbers and an inadequate rating by Ofsted.

But the move has angered local families who do not understand why the school, in a densely populated area of Harrogate, needs to close.

Following this week’s decision, the Stray Ferret asked the council about the future of the site, which includes substantial playing fields as well as the school building.

We asked what discussions have taken place about the use of the school site, what the options are and what the timescale for a decision is likely to be. We also asked whether the council had ruled out using the site for housing.

The council replied in a statement:

“No discussions have taken place on the future use of the site, ahead of a decision being made on the school’s future this week.

“The site is owned by the county council and also houses Bilton and Woodfield Community Library, Harrogate Bilton Children and Family Hub and Oak Beck House. All of these services remain open and unaffected by the school closure.

“The county council will be exploring whether there are alternative educational uses for the school buildings. There are controls around the reuse or redevelopment of school sites, and any alternative uses that are proposed will be the subject of consultation.”

No further details have been released.

Housing developer ‘doesn’t anticipate’ Kingsley road closure will last six months

A housing developer has said it “doesn’t anticipate” a controversial road closure in the Kingsley area of Harrogate will last six months.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday that pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists face a 1.4-mile detour when Kingsley Road is completely sealed off beyond the junction with Kingsley Drive up to the bridge leading to Bogs Lane.

The affected route is popular among people looking to access the shared cycle route and footpath to Bilton.

North Yorkshire County Council issued a temporary prohibition of traffic order, from November 7, lasting for up to 12 months, to enable Redrow to carry out work at its 133-home Kingsley Manor development.

David Faraday, technical director for Redrow (Yorkshire), said:

“The road closure will be in place while works to create a new junction, access road and associated services for the development are completed. This includes extensive excavation works to connect the sewers and installation of a new three-way traffic light system.

“We don’t anticipate the works will take the full six months to complete and the closure allows for a period of contingency.”

Hundreds of homes are being built in the Kingsley area.

Chris Aldred, a Liberal Democrat who represents High Harrogate and Kingsley on North Yorkshire County Council, said yesterday he planned to ask Redrow if access for walkers and cyclists could be maintained for some periods while work is carried out.

Asked if this was something Redrow would consider, Mr Faraday responded:

“The road will be closed to ensure the safety of local residents and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience they may experience over the coming months.

“If it is possible to create a safe through route for pedestrians temporarily while more minor works are underway we will endeavour to do so, but a full closure will be in place while all major works are undertaken, as advised by our contractor.”

Asked what consultation had been carried out, he said:

“We notified local residents of the works and road closure via letter on October 19. Formal notification of road closures is the statutory responsibility of the local authority.”

An artist’s impression of how the Redrow development will look.

Mr Faraday said the two, three and four-bedroom homes would “provide a huge boost to local housing supply for a wide market” and the development “will be characterised by areas of natural green space, mature trees and varied planting, and will also feature two play areas”.

He added:

“We are making significant contributions to the local community as part of the planning agreement, including more than £540,000 towards local education, £190,000 towards open space provision, £44,600 towards traffic signals and £5,000 for a local travel plan.”

Rainbows design road safety banner for Saltergate School

Rainbows have designed a Stop, Look and Listen banner to display on the gates of Saltergate School.

It was one of a series of activities undertaken by members of 5th Harrogate Rainbows to help them learn about road safety.

As part of the initiative, Lauren Doherty, who lives in Knaresborough and uses her own experience of a traffic accident to educate people about road safety, gave a talk to the group.

The banner was the Rainbows’ final assignment and will encourage others to take road safety more seriously.

Samantha Suttle, leader of 5th Harrogate Rainbows, said”

“We hope this will help all children and adults stay safe when crossing the road. Well done Rainbows!”

Harrogate roadworks ‘paused’ until New Year

Northern Gas Networks has paused its “slower than anticipated” gas mains replacement works in Harrogate town centre.

The company said yesterday the scheme had proved “challenging” and would be temporarily halted to avoid Christmas disruption.

It means five weeks of traffic lights on Cold Bath Road, which were initially due to take place in September, won’t happen until at least January.

Northern Gas Networks, which transports gas to 2.7 million homes in northern England through a network of underground pipes, also said it had finished long-term work at Crescent Road, near the tourist information centre.

But it added it still needed to “make good” the area before traffic and pedestrian restrictions were lifted — hopefully this week.

Scott Kitchingman, business operations lead for Northern Gas Networks said:

“Our gas mains replacement works in Harrogate town centre have progressed well, but it has been a challenging project to undertake due to the location of the main.

“The complexity of the engineering involved means the pace of the works has been slower than anticipated and that has extended their overall duration.

“We want to minimise disruption for Harrogate residents and motorists as much as possible, so rather than impact customers during the busy festive period by continuing the works now, we’ve temporarily paused the project and will return to complete it in the new year.”

Mr Kitchingman added the company’s customer care officers would keep residents and businesses updated with new dates “as soon as they are agreed with North Yorkshire County Council’s highways team”, adding:

“We sincerely apologise in the meantime for any inconvenience customers have experienced.”

Uncertain future for Harrogate Tea Rooms due to ‘nightmare’ energy bills

The owner of The Harrogate Tea Rooms has said energy bills that have risen “five-fold” are having a major impact on his business.

Tony and Carrie Wilkinson have owned the tea rooms in Westminster Arcade for 10 years.

Mr Wilkinson described the price hike as a “nightmare” and said a cloud of uncertainty was hanging over the cafe’s future as a result.

He said his business was currently running at a loss and he couldn’t rule out closure if more government support was not provided. He added:

“Even with the government incentive, our energy bills have gone up five-fold.

“Last month my wife was trying to energy save and she managed to reduce the bills by 22 per cent just by not having the lights on as much and doing baking in the morning. But the bills are still five times higher than they were.

“We are having to change the menu so we are not offering things that take a long time to cook. It’s a real problem.”

It comes after a turbulent period for the hospitality industry, which is still recovering in the wake of the pandemic.

Last month Ainsty Farm Shop closed due to soaring energy bills and many other businesses are struggling to cope.

Mr Wilkinson said:

“It’s a nightmare really.

“At least with covid we knew where we were and what we were doing. With this, we don’t know what’s coming tomorrow.

“We can’t pass on the costs to the customer. We are effectively running at a loss and for how long I don’t know. It has made a massive difference to us.”

‘Closure is a possibility’

Mr Wilkinson said footfall had also taken a hit due to people cutting down on spending amid the cost of living crisis.

He said:

“Visitor numbers are down. We are just going to have to see what happens and hopefully the shows at the Harrogate Convention Centre and the Royal Hall will help things to pick up.

“It’s a difficult time for anyone in the industry.

“Closure is a possibility if we don’t get more help and support.

“But we battle on. We offer a good service and home-cooked food. We get support from our regular customers. We just need more visitors. We hope things are going to pick up.”

Little Bird spreads its wings with markets across the Harrogate district and further afield

This story is sponsored by Little Bird Made.

Jackie Crozier’s ambition is to make the Harrogate district and neighbouring areas a Mecca for artisan markets, where local traders can showcase and sell their hand-crafted goods and customers can find those extra special and unique items.

In the four years since she hatched a plan to hold an inaugural market in her home city of Ripon, Jackie’s Little Bird Made venture has spread its wings and now has more than ten venues in North and West Yorkshire where its events are regularly held.

Pictures above and below, from the bustling artisan markets held by Little Bird in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens last Christmas

The latest exciting addition to a fast-growing list of attractive and historic locations is Harewood House, where the talented and hard-working Little Bird team will curate a four-day Artisan Winter Market from Thursday November 3 until Sunday November 6.

Little Bird founder and managing director Jackie, said:

“This will be the largest event that we have ever staged, with more than 100 stalls each day located on the North Park Walk facing onto the magnificent 18th century country house.”

She added:

“It’s a fabulous setting for a pre-Christmas market and there will be a wonderful atmosphere for visitors and our community of traders.

“In addition to the wide-range of handmade goods and food and drink items on sale, there will be demonstrations of artisan crafts and a special letterbox where children can post a letter to Santa.”

Entry to the winter market is £5 and includes access to the grounds, but there will be no charge for Harewood members. Tickets can be booked by clicking here.

The market will be open daily from 10am until 4pm.

Chese stall

Jackie, who was born and bred in Ripon, launched Little Bird after being away from the city for more than 20 years, working as the Director of the Manchester Pride Festival and later as an events manager working on a number of high-profile events including the London 2012 Olympics.

The expertise that she gained in working with stakeholders including local councils, community groups, performers and suppliers, has been put to good use in developing the Little Bird business and ethos.

She said:

“Our aim is to create added value events that bring increased footfall to the marvellous market towns that we have in the Harrogate district and further afield.

“Visitors who come to our markets often stay to look around local attractions and spend money in shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs, before they go home.”

Jackie, added:

“We are planning to add to our list of locations next year and believe that there will be further economic, and community benefits all round if we can make this area a Mecca for artisan markets.

“We are also always looking for local artisans who would like to join us and share in the Little Bird experience.”

Upcoming Little Bird Christmas markets

Following the Winter Market at Harewood House, Little Bird will, for the second year running, be holding Christmas Markets with 75 stalls in the Sun Colonnade at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on December 3,4,10 and 11.

Between November 12 and December 18, one day markets with up to 60 artisan traders present, will be held in Easingwold, Boroughbridge, Wetherby, Richmond, Thirsk, Leyburn, Harrogate Horticultural Nursery, Ripon, Driffield and Northallerton.

Click here to see the full list of Little Bird Made events coming soon.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

The long-term gas works on Crescent Road In Harrogate town centre are due to be paused this week.

Roadworks near the Harrogate Town ground on Wetherby Road in Harrogate are due to end tomorrow.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, two sets of traffic lights will be active on Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.

Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.

Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.

In Ripon, roadworks are due to be active on Heckler Lane and New Road today and tomorrow.

Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.

The road is closed and a diversion is 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

Rail operator Northern is not reporting any problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning but the live departure and arrival board for Harrogate shows the 7.37am LNER service to London is cancelled.

The Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on the 36 bus, the 9am and 10.55am Harrogate to Leeds services are cancelled, as are the Leeds to Harrogate 7.40am, 9.55am, 11.55am services and the Starbeck to Leeds 6.23am bus.

You can get updates here.

Harrogate road closure means 1.4-mile detour for walkers and cyclists

A section of a busy Harrogate road is to be closed for up to a year to allow work to begin on a 133-home housing scheme.

Kingsley Road will be completely sealed off beyond the junction with Kingsley Drive up to the bridge leading to Bogs Lane.

It means people travelling along Kingsley Road will be unable to get to Bogs Lane without a lengthy 1.4-mile detour on to the main A59 Knaresborough Road.

Pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists, who use the route to get to the bridge going down to the shared off-road walking and cycling route to Bilton, will also be affected.

The bridge leading down to the pedestrian and cycle route.

Jenny Mills, who lives in the area, said

“It will now mean when I take my two little boys for a bike ride or a dog walk I will now have to walk the entire way around Starbeck to get to the cycle track, which is less then 50 metres from my front door.

“The sad part is I meet so many elderly and disabled people on the cycle path for whom the path is a lifeline, basically. Without it they don’t have access to a safe and level walk in the fresh air or to a safe place to walk their dog.

“There’s no way these people will be able to walk the huge distance to get to the cycle path which then leaves them limited options to walk their dogs safely.”

North Yorkshire County Council has issued a temporary prohibition of traffic order, which says the closure will come into force on November 7.

The order says “it is envisaged” to last until May 8 next year, but the maximum duration is 12 months.

A map showing the Kingsley Road detour.

Councillor seeks solution

Harrogate Borough Council granted final approval in July for Redrow to build 133 homes on Kingsley Road, in what will be the latest development in the Kingsley area.

Chris Aldred, a Liberal Democrat who represents High Harrogate and Kingsley on North Yorkshire County Council, said he planned to hold talks with Redrow to see if access for walkers and cyclists could be maintained for some periods while work is carried out.

Cllr Aldred said the road closure would stop the route being used as a “rat run” by motorists trying to avoid the A59 Knaresborough Road and there were long-term plans to close it permanently to through traffic.

But he said those plans involved maintaining non-vehicular access and he couldn’t see why this couldn’t also be achieved now.

“They won’t be digging for all six months so I would have thought there might be option where pedestrians and cyclists can go up there for maybe five months out of six.”

Harrogate BID appoints Simon Kent as interim manager

Simon Kent, who helped to establish Harrogate Business Improvement District in 2018, has been appointed interim manager for a second time.

The news was confirmed today after current manager Matthew Chapman announced he was leaving in November to take up a new position at North Yorkshire Council.

Businesses within Harrogate’s town centre pay the BID 1.5 per cent of their rateable value a year on top of their usual business rates.

Matthew Chapman

This generates around £500,000, which the BID spends on projects to improve the town and increase the number of visitors.

Mr Kent, a former director of the Harrogate Convention Centre, was previously appointed interim manager in April 2020.

Harrogate BID chair Sara Ferguson said:

“Whilst we continue the process of seeking a new BID manager, we have appointed Simon Kent in an interim role.

“Simon was instrumental in helping to launch Harrogate BID back in 2018, and in April 2020 we asked him to take on the role of interim manager, which he did until May the following year.

“Simon’s experience and knowledge of Harrogate BID are second to none, and I’m delighted that he has agreed to come back in a part-time-basis until a successor to outgoing BID manager, Matthew Chapman, is found.

“I look forward to rekindling my working relationship with Simon, particularly as we head towards the festive season, which with the BID’s involvement will see Harrogate once again become ‘Destination Christmas’.”

Harrogate

Knaresborough

Ripon and Nidderdale

Trains and buses

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‘Closure is a possibility’

Click here to see the full list of Little Bird Made events coming soon.

Trains and buses

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Councillor seeks solution