Harrogate’s Victoria Road scheme delayed due to bin wagon concerns

A scheme to stop vehicles in Harrogate turning from Victoria Road onto Otley Road has been delayed because bin wagons will find it difficult to turn.

North Yorkshire County Council was due to introduce the initiative before the end of September as an 18-month trial to improve safety for cyclists using the forthcoming Otley Road cycle route.

A barrier would have been placed at the junction, and one-way only and no entry signs installed.

However, the scheme has been delayed while the council draws up a new design that accommodates turning bin wagons. The council does not know when the project will now be introduced.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager at the council, said:

“The original design needs to be amended to accommodate the safe turning and manoeuvring of bin wagons and making sure the proposed one-way filter lane doesn’t have any other impacts on waste services.

“We anticipated this design stage to be concluded by the end of September.

“We are currently working with Harrogate Borough Council to agree a revised design before the introduction of the 18-month trial of a one-way filter lane on Victoria Road.

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The council wants the Victoria Road scheme to join up with other active travel schemes in the town, including the nearby Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood, the scheduled new cycle path on Victoria Avenue, and the Harrogate Station Gateway project.

Construction on the much-delayed Otley Road cycle route began last month.

There are still uncertainties over when the project will be completed due to negotiations with the government and the Duchy of Lancaster – the landowners of the Stray – over the use of grass verges protected by law.

Derelict workshop near Harrogate Asda to be converted to flats

A derelict former workshop opposite Harrogate’s Asda supermarket will be converted into six flats.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved an application this week from TRG Developments to convert the building on Back Dragon Parade, which is visible as you drive into the supermarket from Bower Road.

The flats will provide rental accommodation for care staff working for Vida Healthcare, which the applicant is associated with.

The building was previously used by ironmongers Beardmore Dobson and Sons, which ceased trading in 2017 after 82 years.

In 2015, the council approved an application to demolish several commercial buildings on Back Dragon Parade and convert them into 14 flats.

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Boroughbridge pub fears energy bills could increase seven-fold

A pub landlord in Boroughbridge has said he fears his energy costs could increase seven-fold overnight amid concerns over the future of Harrogate-based energy firm CNG Group.

The Stray Ferret reported this morning that CNG is to stop supplying gas to energy customers, amid record wholesale gas prices.

It has also been reported that there is a deadline of tomorrow for organisations to submit bids to buy CNG’s small and medium-sized enterprises arm, which directly supplies gas and electricity to more than 40,000 SMEs.

One of those is the Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge. Owner Simon Wade told the Stray Ferret the move would have a major impact on his business.

Mr Wade is three years into a five-year contract with CNG, which provides gas to heat the pub at a rate of 5p a unit.

However, if the company collapses, he has been told by his energy broker that he will be placed on an emergency tariff that could be as much as seven times higher than what he currently pays.

He said:

“I’m facing a massive hike and it’s nothing to do with us. It’s a major concern”

“We’re completely shackled and it’s put us in a bad position”.

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Mr Wade said the pub had a good reputation and has been busy since reopening after lockdown but he was concerned that sky-high energy bills would eat into his takings.

He urged businesses to check their contracts or get in touch with their energy brokers to see if they are with CNG and, if so, make contingency plans, such as moving towards renewable energy.

He added:

“If you have an old building that relies on gas it eats into your budget.

“We’re backed into a corner, but we’re small fry.

“A lot of people will suffer and it’s not any of our doing.”

The Stray Ferret asked CNG for details of its current situation but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

‘Irreplaceable’ Harrogate Theatre pantomime director Phil Lowe dies

Phil Lowe, who directed and co-wrote Harrogate Theatre‘s hugely popular pantomime, has died unexpectedly.

Mr Lowe, who had been instrumental in the success of the pantomime since he took charge in 2007, died yesterday.

He was an associate director, pantomime director and co-director at the theatre.

The theatre issued a statement today saying it was “devastated” by the news but that this year’s production of Cinderella will continue in his honour.

The statement said:

“Phil was an integral part of what makes Harrogate Theatre special, both to work at and visit.

“Our pantomime has truly sparkled since he came to the helm in 2007. He is irreplaceable.

“In his memory Cinderella will continue this Christmas. No one wanted to bring the party back to Harrogate Theatre more than him.

“Our thoughts are with Phil’s wife, Caroline, their beloved boys, family and friends.”

Harrogate Theatre has set up a Just Giving page on Mr Lowe’s behalf with a £1,000 target. All of the money raised will go towards Harrogate District Hospital and its cardiac care unit.

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Harrogate firm CNG to stop supplying energy companies

Harrogate-based energy supplier CNG Group is to stop supplying gas to energy companies, amid spiraling gas prices that have caused several companies to close.

CNG, which is based on Victoria Avenue, was set up 27 years ago and is one of Harrogate’s major employers with around 180 staff.

It supplies about 15 to 20 retail energy companies through its wholesale business arm. It also has about 50,000 business customers.

However, an email from chief executive Paul Stanley to customers, seen by the Stray Ferret, said the current energy crisis had caused “significant financial damage to CNG” and it was exiting the wholesale market.

The email urged customers to find alternative suppliers.

It said:

“The past few weeks in the energy market have been unprecedented. Market volatility has caused many suppliers to exit the market in a short space of time, causing a significant amount of financial damage to CNG.

“We expect more suppliers to fail in the coming weeks, further compounding the issue. We have been exploring options to sustain CNG’s shipping services, but it is with regret that I have to inform you that we do not have any further option but to exit CNG’s wholesale business.

“This means CNG will no longer be able to provide gas shipping services. We advise you to seek alternative shipping arrangements through other known gas shippers in the market.”

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Mr Stanley hailed the company’s return to profit in the latest annual report, published in June. This was in part due to improvements in its now stricken wholesale division.

But since June, the energy crisis has deepened and the future of the company appears uncertain.

Sources told Sky News that CNG was preparing its wholesale business for insolvency. Sky News also reported yesterday that the company has a Friday deadline for bidders for its small and medium-sized enterprises arm, which directly supplies more than 40,000 SMEs.

CNG was formerly the main sponsor of Harrogate Town’s stadium on Wetherby Road, which was called the CNG Stadium.

The Stray Ferret has asked CNG for a statement and if it expects to make any job losses but we had not received a response by the time of publication.

Climate activists to march through Harrogate

Climate change activists marching from Spain to the COP26 summit in Glasgow will pass through Harrogate on Saturday.

The group, which calls itself Marcha a Glasgow and has support from Extinction Rebellion Harrogate, set off from Bilbao last month and is stopping all the way up the UK during its 1,000-kilometre march.

It is due to arrive in Harrogate at about 6pm on Saturday.

The group wants to raise awareness of the effects of climate change and put pressure on governments to sign up to ambitious environmental commitments at COP26.

Nine Spanish activists are walking some 30 km a day but people can join them for sections by emailing here.

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The majority of the march will take place alongside roads because the group wants to make sure it is seen by as many people as possible.

A spokesperson for Marcha a Glasgow said:

“We are surprised and very thankful for the warm welcomes we have received along our way in England so far. We need to take note of what the science is clearly saying and take responsibility.
“This means changing our economic model, which is dependant on ever-growing CO2 emissions. We need to learn to find prosperity without abusing the natural world. There is much to be done!”
New ‘immersive soundscape’ art celebrates Harrogate’s spa history

A new art installation will celebrate the 450th anniversary of William Slingsby’s discovery of spring waters at Tewit Well in Harrogate.

Sound and light artists Dan Fox and James Bawn will bring the history to life on Crown Place, which is the cobbled street between the Crown Hotel and the Royal Pump Room Museum.

Called ‘1571 The Waters That Made Us’, the artwork will consist of recordings of water sounds, from deep underground noises to the well and the tap water sounds at the pump room museum.

Mr Fox said:

“This is an immersive soundscape played through speakers along the length of Crown Place.”

The temporary exhibit will be in place from October 17 until October 23. You can visit for free between 2pm and 9pm daily.

It will form part of the build up to the four-day Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, which takes place from October 21 to 24.

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Speakers at the festival, which takes place at The Crown Hotel, include Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and historian Melanie King, who will talk about the history of Harrogate’s mineral springs.

Pictured from left are Deborah Boylan, from Raworths, and Marcus Black and Clare Gibson from Slingsby Gin.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“2021 has been momentous for a lot of things, few of them being celebratory.

“So it felt only right we lead on a new, temporary attraction for Harrogate to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the discovery of our spa waters.

“The event industry was particularly hard hit by covid, and commissioning new artistic work, and a new tourism attraction, in the midst of the pandemic was a risk.

“However, as an arts organisation, it was one we were determined to take as we firmly believe that keeping artists in work is key.

“It’s also a superb opportunity to celebrate the rich history of Harrogate.”

Information about this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, and the visiting guest writers, can be found on Harrogate International Festivals’ website.

Interested in Harrogate’s history? Join celebrated local historian Malcolm Neesam on two guided audio walks by clicking or tapping here.

Two arrested after police seize drugs and zombie knife in Harrogate

Police arrested two men in Harrogate after stopping their car and finding a large quantity of drugs and a zombie knife.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police‘s county lines drugs team pulled over a Volkswagen Passat on Victoria Road last week.

They searched the men and found two bags containing around 100 wraps of suspected class A drugs and the knife.

The men, aged 18 and 31 and from the Bradford area, were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon.

Both suspects have been released by the police on conditional bail for further investigation.

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The officers were from North Yorkshire Police’s proactive county lines drugs team Operation Expedite team,

County lines refers to when dealers travel to smaller towns to sell drugs that they have advertised online.

Police revealed details of the incident today. A spokesperson said:

“We urge anyone with information about drug dealing or if they believe a vulnerable neighbour is being targeted by drug dealers to contact us or Crimestoppers.”

Anyone with concerns about county lines can speak to the police on 101 or call 999 in an emergency.

If you’d rather stay anonymous you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Harrogate businesses call for meeting to discuss £10.9m Station Gateway

Business representatives in Harrogate have called for face-to-face meetings to be held to discuss the latest plans for the £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

North Yorkshire County Council announced yesterday that people will be able to hear more about the plans and ask questions at two hour-long online events on October 21 and 28.

People will also have the chance to fill in a consultation survey.

But businesses say such a key decision, which could have a major long-term impact on the town by pedestrianising James Street and reducing traffic on Station Parade to single lane, requires a large scale physical meeting everyone can attend.

Richard Norman, owner of town centre jewellers Fogal and Barnes, said:

“It’s vitally important for the whole town that people can get together and have a proper adult conversation and decide what’s best.

“This scheme is not just about environmental issues — there are challenges around jobs too.”

Richard and Mona Norman

Mr Norman is also managing director of marketing organisation Brand Yorkshire, which held a conference last week in Harrogate. He said:

“Everyone said it was far better meeting face-to-face. All the online meetings I’ve seen have been too clinical. You can’t read body language.”

“Having an actual meeting is the correct thing to do for such a big issue.

“I can’t tell what impact this will have on my business until I see the full proposal. My concern is they will try to railroad it through, which is why we should have an actual meeting.”

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David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, agreed and said it would invite Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, to its November meeting to discuss the proposals with businesses.

Mr Simister said:

“It’s important that our elected members hear what businesses have to say about it.”

Project team to meet in Harrogate

Asked to respond to the lack of notice of physical meetings, a North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said there would be opportunities to discuss concerns directly with the project team in a unit in the Victoria Shopping Centre.

“Online events enable as many people as possible to attend and ensure covid safety.

“However, during the consultation there will be opportunities for members of the public and businesses to speak to the project team face-to-face at a dedicated unit within the Victoria Shopping Centre.

“These will take place on Wednesday 27 October, the morning of Friday 29 October, Monday 1 November (for businesses only) and Friday 5 November.

“Businesses in the area will be contacted with details of how to book a slot for 1 November. In addition, the project team will be speaking to businesses at an open chamber of trade event on 8 November.”

New plans yet to be revealed

Cllr Mackenzie said yesterday the council had listened to feedback from previous consultations on the initial plans and “taken that response into account in the further development of the designs”.

But details of the changes are not yet available.

Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret:

“The exact details of the proposals and designs for all three gateway schemes, which are going forward for public consultation from next Monday, will be published online in the next few days.

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby paid for by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

Details of the online consultation, which runs until November 12, will be available from Monday at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/northyorkshire

Following this consultation, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes.

It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by mid-2022 and be completed by March 2023.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and a happy Wednesday to you. It’s Connor returning to the traffic and travel desk once again to help with your commute.

There are a few road closures and temporary lights in place across the district, make sure you check our lists in case you need to leave a few minutes earlier.

Give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media if you spot anything on the roads or are waiting for a delayed bus or train.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. I will be back tomorrow bright and early from 6.30am with all your traffic and travel news. Have a good day.

Roads

The roads in the Harrogate district are starting to look busy this morning, particularly around those areas where there are construction works in place.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads in the Harrogate district are starting to look busy this morning, particularly around those areas where there are construction works in place.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads in the Harrogate district are starting to look busy this morning, particularly around those areas where there are construction works in place.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads in the Harrogate district are starting to look busy this morning, particularly around those areas where there are construction works in place.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses