Fees for street parties in the Harrogate district to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III will be waived.
North Yorkshire County Council today confirmed the move, which will encourage celebrations to mark the coronation of the first monarch in 70 years.
The council is waiving the £300 standard street closure fee on residential streets from Saturday, May 6, to Monday, May 8.
Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6, at Westminster Abbey in London, where he will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.
Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor of highways at the council, said:
“The coronation of King Charles III will be a momentous event in history, and we recognise that communities across North Yorkshire will want to plan their own celebrations.
“Street parties are always a popular way for people to get together, whether that’s for games or a royal lunch. By waiving the fees, we hope many residents will apply to ensure they have a safe open space to use.”
Anybody wishing to host a street party must apply before March 10. For more information on how to apply, visit the county council website here.
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Confirmed: second phase of Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle route scrapped
The second phase of Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle way has been scrapped, North Yorkshire County Council confirmed today.
The council, which is the highways authority, also revealed it would not be bringing back restrictions for motorists on nearby Beech Grove.
Instead it will propose new measures to tackle speed in the streets surrounding Otley Road, improved crossings for cyclists, better signage for cycle routes and improvements to bus infrastructure.
Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, hinted last month the second of three proposed phases for Otley Road would not proceed after none of three options put forward proved popular with cyclists, walkers or motorists.
Today the council issued a statement saying “an alternative package of measures for Otley Road will be outlined and presented to the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee this summer”.
The area constituency committee advises North Yorkshire County Council on local issues although its powers are expected to be beefed-up when North Yorkshire Council comes into existence on April 1.
The statement said:
“After listening to public concerns, it is proposed that construction of phase two of Otley Road cycle way is not advanced, and the Beech Grove restrictions are not made permanent.
“Instead, it is proposed that the remaining funding of up to £500,000 in the National Productivity Investment Fund package is used for other measures to encourage active travel, support growth and address safety concerns along the Otley Road corridor.”
Otley Road cycle path
Phase one of the Otley Road cycle way, which was completed in January last year, links Harrogate Grammar School, residential areas and Cardale Park. It has been widely criticised for its design.
The proposed phase two would link Arthurs Avenue to the town centre, and phase three Harlow Moor Road to Cardale Park.
The experimental traffic restrictions on Beech Grove and Lancaster Road, which prevented non-residential through traffic, ran from April 2021 to August last year.
‘Listening to feedback’
Cllr Duncan said today:
“Our proposal to consider an alternative package of sustainable transport measures demonstrates how we are listening to public feedback. Halting construction of phase two allows us the opportunity to prepare new measures with local input and support.
“The constraints of Otley Road meant it was always going to be difficult to meet government cycle infrastructure design standards without infringing on the Stray, widening the road or removing trees.
“We consulted on a number of options, but these were not fully compliant and attracted criticism. Cyclists have expressed concerns that the proposed cycle way would not encourage more cycling due to its design, while pedestrians said they were concerned about their safety.
“Given the concerns, it is right that we think again and explore alternative measures to promote walking, cycling and use of public transport.”
Concerns were expressed about possible conflict between cyclists and pedestrians because an entirely segregated cycle way could not be created due to constraints such as protected trees, Stray land and carriageway width.
The next steps will be considered at a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s business and environmental services corporate director and executive member on Friday.
Pateley Bridge road finally reopens after landslip repairs
A landslip-hit road in Pateley Bridge which has undergone lengthy repairs has finally reopened.
Temporary traffic lights were installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, after storms caused a landslip in February 2020.
The route then closed to traffic in October last year when North Yorkshire County Council began a £480,000 scheme to stabilise the road, which is on the steep slope out of Pateley to Greenhow Hill.
The road was initially due to reopen on December 16 but the date was then pushed back to January 18 and then to today.
The council has now reopened the road to traffic with temporary lights in place for a further two weeks.
Chris Hawkesworth, a local resident who lives near the road, said it was a relief for those in the area.
He said:
“Everybody on the hill is much relieved.
“It was a 20-mile round trip for what would ordinarily a one mile trip.”
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The authority said the £480,000 scheme had taken longer than anticipated as workers needed to “increase the depth and length of the excavation to lay the foundations” for the repairs.
The county council hired Cumbria-based Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd to undertake the work at a cost of £232,040 – though it said it had to factor in any contingencies into the final cost.
The Stray Ferret asked the county council whether the delays in completing the scheme would lead to any further incurred costs.
Melissa Burnham, highways area manager for the council, said:
Landslip-hit Pateley Bridge road finally set to reopen on Friday“In the design process for every scheme we must account for contingencies in the final cost.
“At Greenhow Hill we are carrying out drainage works and stabilising the slope below the road and new structure. In this instance the contractor valuation came in lower than anticipated and although the scheme is still ongoing it is likely to stay under budget.”
A Pateley Bridge road affected by a landslip three years ago is finally set to reopen on Friday.
Temporary traffic lights were installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley after storms caused a landslip in February 2020.
The route then closed to traffic in October last year when North Yorkshire County Council began a £480,000 scheme to stabilise the road, which is on the steep slope out of Pateley to Greenhow Hill.
The road was initially due to reopen on December 16 but the date was then pushed back to January 18.
Numerous local residents, including former Pateley town councillor Chris Hawkesworth, have contacted the Stray Ferret expressing frustration over the length of the works and lack of information about when it will reopen. Many face lengthy detours to get in and out of Pateley Bridge.
This week Ken Easton, who lives in Wilsill but drives to work in Grassington, said the detour was costing him an extra £150 a week in fuel.
Mr Easton also said his vehicle suffered a burst tyre and cracked wheel this week when he hit a pothole on the Two Stoops route to Grassington.
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- Talks to save 24 bus from Pateley to Harrogate as cull looms
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Andrew Murday, the Liberal Democrat county councillor for Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale, told the Stray Ferret earlier this month he could understand people’s frustration but the project was “geologically difficult” and progress was subject to weather conditions.
North Yorkshire County Council’s highways area manager, Melisa Burnham, previously said:
“Work has taken longer than anticipated as it became clear that we needed to increase the depth and length of the excavation to lay the foundations. Final works involve reconstructing the surface of the road.”
A North Yorkshire County Council spokeswoman said yesterday:
Sharow roads earmarked for £200k resurfacing“The recent wet weather has caused a delay and the reopening is now planned for Friday, January 27.”
Two roads in Sharow are set to undergo a £200,000 resurfacing scheme.
North Yorkshire County Council has added the projects to its highways forward programme.
It will see New Road and Sharow Lane in the village resurfaced and reconstructed.
The county council is expected to start the schemes in the 2024/25 financial year.
It comes as the council faced criticism in December after it was revealed repairs to Sharow’s roads were not included in next year’s capital schemes.
Residents in the area have previously told the Stray Ferret that The ‘shocking state’ of roads in the village is preventing motorists from going green.
James Thornborough, who lives in the village, said:
“The road surfaces are in such a shocking state, that it is not safe to drive on them in smaller vehicles that use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.”
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- ‘Shocking state’ of Sharow roads prevents motorists from going green
- No end in sight to Sharow’s pothole plight
Roadworks bring traffic ‘chaos’ to Harrogate district villages
Roadworks on the A658 Harrogate Road have diverted a large volume of traffic through two Harrogate district villages.
Five days of roadworks began today between Gravelly Hill Lane and Hall Green Lane on the busy Harrogate Road.
It is causing delays for vehicles travelling in both directions. But it has also brought problems to locals because traffic is being diverted along Crag Lane, The Sleights and Gravelly Hill Lane through North Rigton and Huby while work takes place.
Villagers have expressed concerns about the speed and volume of traffic passing through the villages as well as the effectiveness of the diversion signs.
One makeshift cardboard sign (see below) appeared in Huby this morning to help drivers navigate the diversion.
Work is being carried out to resurface the Harrogate Road.
A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said it wasn’t aware of any issues. She said:
“Works on the A658 are taking place from October 31 to November 4. The closure runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm daily. A signed diversion is in place.”
Overspend on junction 47 upgrade remains unknown
The full extent of the multi-million pound overspend on the junction 47 upgrade on the A1(M) remains unknown — six months after the project ended.
The scheme near Flaxby, which was originally budgeted to cost £7.7m, finished in April, seven months later than planned.
North Yorkshire County Council revealed more than a year ago that costs had increased to £10m and has not given an updated figure since.
The Stray Ferret asked the council this week when a figure would be published.
Richard Binks, head of major projects and infrastructure at the council, said:
“We are continuing discussions with our contractor over the final account agreement.
“The project was completed in summer, since then remedial and road safety audit work has been undertaken, so we are only a few months beyond substantial completion of the project.
“It is usual for final accounts to take several months to be brought to a conclusion. We are confident of reaching a conclusion shortly.”
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Scheme ‘unlocks growth around Harrogate’
The scheme involved widening three of the four slip roads onto and off the roundabout to increase capacity, as well as a number of junction improvements.
Traffic signals were installed on the roundabout to improve traffic flow and added to the T-junction between the A168 and the A59, a short distance from junction 47 on the York side to benefit drivers turning onto the A59 and to improve safety.
To the west of junction 47, between the A1 and the Flaxby roundabout, a lane was added for traffic travelling east, so there are now two lanes in each direction between those two roundabouts.
Officials celebrate the completion of works.
Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways, previously said the project had reduced congestion and improved road safety, adding:
“The scheme unlocks future growth in and around Harrogate, with the changes helping to manage significant residential and commercial development anticipated along the A59 corridor.”
Nidderdale road to be repaired – nearly three years after storm damage
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.”
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Artificial intelligence to be used to improve winter travel on Harrogate district roads
Artificial intelligence is to be employed on Harrogate district roads this winter to keep traffic moving during severe weather.
North Yorkshire County Council revealed yesterday it was working with Finnish weather technology firm Vaisala to improve monitoring of its network of 5,800 miles of road.
Vaisala will use a combination of artificial intelligence, computer modelling and live data to survey road conditions more quickly.
A council news release said:
“As highways officers drive the network, the video technology automatically surveys the roads and identifies defects. It processes the data within a few hours.
“This gives the highways team a visual snapshot of the whole network, capturing useful data about the road condition and road signs very quickly and enabling them to target resources most efficiently.”
The authority is trialling Vaisala Wx Horizon, which uses real-time weather information, historic weather and road condition data alongside computer modelling to help identify required winter treatments.
It is also investigating Internet of Things sensors to provide feedback on road surface temperatures and moisture levels.
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Last year the council spent £500,000 on measures including installing 27 weather stations across the county to provide up-to-date information to help the council make decisions about when and where to grit roads.
The B6265 at Greenhow near Pateley Bridge and the B6267 Low Burton near Masham are among the areas with weather stations.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, the former executive councillor for highways at North Yorkshire County Council, pictured at a weather station last year.
The stations include solar-powered cameras that relay live images of road conditions to the county council’s website, where they help people plan their journeys.
‘Vital to everyday lives’
Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said:
“North Yorkshire’s extensive highways network, which includes many rural roads, is vital to the everyday lives of the county’s residents, its businesses, tourism industry and wider economic prosperity.
“That’s why we have a strong track record in putting ourselves at the forefront of technological advances that enable us to make quick, well-informed decisions to help to keep our roads open and people on the move during winter weather.
“These latest developments with Vaisala continue that long-standing approach and demonstrate our commitment to ongoing improvement to enable our dedicated teams to support residents, businesses and visitors across the county.”
Jarkko Sairanen, Vaisala’s executive vice president for weather and the environment, said:
“I am convinced the county and its people will benefit from the latest advances in mobile and Internet of Things technologies to help keep the road network safe and accessible, while minimising the cost and carbon footprint of efficient winter maintenance operations.”
The Stray Ferret has asked the council how much the new measures cost but has yet to receive a figure.
Picture: At one of North Yorkshire’s weather stations are (from left): Mike Francis of NY Highways; Erik Sucksdorff, sales director at Vaisala; Jo Wright, sales manager at Vaisala; Richard Marr, highway area manager at North Yorkshire County Council; Nigel Smith, head of highway operations at NYCC; Barrie Mason, assistant director, highways and transportation at NYCC; Jarkko Sairanen, Vaisala’s executive vice president for weather and the environment; and Alan Palfreyman, technical officer at NYCC
Fresh concerns over Knaresborough’s ‘most dangerous junction’
Concerns have again been raised about the safety of pedestrian crossings at what has been described as Knaresborough’s “most dangerous junction”.
Former town councillor James Monaghan first raised the issue of drivers ignoring red lights at the four-way junction where York Place, High Street, Gracious Street and Park Row meet in 2017 – and he now says the problem is “as bad as ever”.
He said:
“On a daily basis cars and vans drive through the green man when pedestrians should be able to cross safely.
“This is dangerous enough, but on a crossing used by hundreds of school children daily it is an accident waiting to happen.
“With all the new houses that have been built across the district and the associated cars, congestion has only got worse and it needs to be addressed for everyone’s safety and convenience.”
Mr Monaghan said the problem has not been tackled by North Yorkshire County Council, which changed the traffic lights four years ago to allow more time for the junction to clear before pedestrians are invited to cross.
The county council said the detection system failed “a few months ago,” but has now been fixed with works being completed last week.
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Melisa Burnham, highways area manager at the county council, said:
“We know of the concerns around the pedestrian stage of the signal cycle at the junction of High Street and Gracious Street.
“The signals team will continue to monitor the effective operation of the signal equipment and timing.”
Ms Burnham also said it was the responsibility of motorists to ensure they follow the rules of the road. She said:
“We do all we can to ensure this junction operates as effectively as possible, but we also ask drivers who use this junction to respect all road users and the traffic light systems in place, ensuring they are driving safely in accordance with the local conditions.”