Roadworks bring morning ‘chaos’ to Killinghall

Temporary traffic lights in the centre of Killinghall brought “chaos” to the village’s roads this morning.

Northern Powergrid began work today excavating a trench to install cables beneath the pavement outside the Tesco Express, which is being built on Ripon Road in the centre of the village.

Three-way traffic lights have been installed at the junction with Otley Road and buses and lorries have been prevented from turning in and out of Otley Road from Ripon Road while work is carried out.

The area is always busy at peak times because it is the main route between Ripon and Harrogate. But this morning the works led to particularly heavy traffic and delays to the 36 bus run by Harrogate Bus Company.

The situation had calmed down by mid-morning but long delays at rush hour are expected for the next 10 days while work is carried out.

‘Avoid Killinghall at all costs’

One resident in Killinghall described the situation as “chaos” at rush hour.

They told the Stray Ferret:

“Bus stop outside new Tesco shut. Northern Powergrid have three-way traffic lights on junction and the other contractors are here doing the footpath work as well. Avoid Killinghall at all costs.”

Another resident, who was driving between Ripley and Harrogate, said the journey which would normally take a couple of minutes was now “taking more than half an hour” due to the temporary lights and traffic. They said traffic was particularly bad heading into Harrogate.

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Traffic problems caused delays and cancellations to Harrogate Bus Company’s 36 service.

The company said its service would continue to run as normal, but passengers should expect delays at peak times due to the heavy traffic on Ripon Road.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Bus Company said:

“Planned work by Northern Powergrid is taking place in the Otley Road/Ripon Road area of Harrogate, from today. This means our service 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge will be diverted in the Killinghall area, and will be unable to reach stops between Redfearn’s Garage and Grainbeck Lane. This diversion is expected to remain in place until Friday, February 4.
“Full details of alternative arrangements are being advertised to keep our customers informed, including on our Twitter feed ‘@harrogatebus’ and on our free to download Transdev Go mobile app.”

Northern Powergrid wrote to residents last week. It said:

“There will be a certain amount of disruption during the implementation of this work but every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.”

Traffic disruption expected in Killinghall next week

Delays are expected in Killinghall next week when new electricity cables are laid for the village’s forthcoming Tesco Express.

Temporary traffic lights will be installed and buses and lorries will be prevented from turning in and out of Otley Road from Ripon Road.

The measures will allow Northern Powergrid to excavate a trench and install cables beneath the pavement outside the Tesco on Ripon Road.

Northern Powergrid has written to residents saying work is expected to last 10 days. The letter says:

“There will be a certain amount of disruption during the implementation of this work but every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.”

The letter adds the traffic lights will “inevitably lengthen journey times” and buses will be affected.

A barrier and temporary walkway will operate outside the Tesco for pedestrians.

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A spokesman for The Harrogate Bus Company, which is part of the French company Transdev, said:

“This will mean our service 24 will be diverted in the Killinghall area, while journeys on our 36 route may also experience some delays.

“Full details of alternative arrangements are being advertised to keep our customers informed, including on our Twitter feed ‘@harrogatebus’ and on the free to download Transdev Go mobile app.”

The Stray Ferret asked Tesco when the store was due to open. All it would say was “early 2022”.

Old Spring Well to be renamed Curious Cow in luxury revamp

A popular family pub on the outskirts of Harrogate is set to get a luxury makeover.

The Old Spring Well, at Killinghall, will be rebranded as the Curious Cow and will reopen as part of the Revere Pub Company, which is the premium arm of Marston’s.

Marston’s has yet to provide further details of the refurbishment, but a spokeswoman from the pub company confirmed the move.

She said:

“The Curious Cow will be reopening as part of Revere which is the premium arm of Marston’s Pubs.”

A recruitment drive for chefs and bar and waiting staff is currently taking place, with the job advert from Revere stating:

“Our premium food and drink offering is at the heart of each experience with Josper charcoal-cooked steaks, crisp wood fired pizzas and hearty Sunday roasts always being part of the delicious seasonally changing menu.”

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The Foundry Project, in Harrogate, is also part of the Revere group, however the spokeswoman said this obviously operated more like a city centre bar than a pub, despite falling under the same brand.

A licensing application has been submitted to change the operating hours of the pub, which is currently still open, including until 1am on a Friday and Saturday.

The Old Spring Well was built on the site of the Travellers Rest pub, which was demolished about 10 years ago.

Man denies firearm charge at Harrogate gastro pub

A 25-year-old man has appeared in court charged with carrying a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence at a gastro pub in Harrogate. 

Brad Tristan Plummer, from Killinghall, denied the accusation when he appeared at York Crown Court yesterday.

The alleged offence is said to have occurred at the Nelson Inn on Skipton Road, Killinghall, on September 29 last year.

The prosecution claims that Plummer intended to cause a named man fear of violence with a BB gun, which is a type of air gun. He denies this.

Judge Simon Hickey adjourned the case for a trial on July 18 next year. 

Plummer, of Skipton Road, was granted unconditional bail until that date. 

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Killinghall resident looks into ways to reopen village pub

A Killinghall resident is looking to investigate what can be done to re-open the only remaining pub in the heart of the village.

The Greyhounds Inn, a Samuel Smith‘s pub at the junction of Ripon Road and Otley Road, has been closed for several years.

Its loss has been particularly keenly felt since the Three Horseshoes opposite was razed to the ground last year to make way for a new Tesco Express store, which is due to open next year.

It means the rapidly expanding village has gone from having two pubs in its centre to none.

Jonny Smith, who moved to Killinghall five years ago, recently floated the idea on social media of villagers getting together to see what could be done to re-open The Greyhounds.

Mr Smith said:

“I’m trying to understand where we stand, and whether as a collective we can do anything.

“It’s a nice old building with so much potential. It has a lovely old pub feel to it and just needs some TLC. Killinghall has more homes and families than ever so it could do well.”

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Sam Smith’s occasionally posts adverts looking for people to run the pub but it has been closed for about five years. Mr Smith said:

“I know others in the village want to see it re-open. I’m hoping somebody might have an idea on where we go from here but I don’t have a massive amount of hope.”

The Stray Ferret attempted to contact Samuel Smith’s but has not yet received a reply.

Tesco has begun advertising for 15 staff to work at the Express store that is being built on the site of the former Three Horseshoes pub.

The advert initially said the positions were for a Jack’s store, which is Tesco’s budget brand, but a spokesman for the company told the Stray Ferret this was an error and it would be an Express.

The Tesco spokesman also said a planning application for the proposed new full size Tesco store in Harrogate, about a mile from the site of the Killinghall Express, was “imminent”.

 

Two miles of heavy traffic between Harrogate and Ripley

Drivers experienced two miles of bumper to bumper traffic on Ripon Road between Harrogate and Ripley this morning due to construction works.

There are two-way temporary lights near Ripley which came online at 8am but they are due to come down later today at 3pm.

It is unclear what works are taking place but they have been approved by North Yorkshire County Council.

The majority of congestion was heading northbound. At around 9am this morning cars queued from New Park roundabout to Ripley.

Join the Stray Ferret’s “Harrogate district traffic and travel” group for all of the latest transport news.

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Killinghall residents worried about ‘dangerous’ mole traps

Residents in Killinghall believe several poorly signposted mole traps placed around a new housing estate could hurt dogs or children.

Moles are among the UK’s most elusive mammals. They spend most of their lives underground, leaving only molehills as signs of their presence.

About four weeks ago, eight traps appeared on the Cricketers View development after the number of molehills increased.

Some traps were set-up close to footpaths used by families and dog walkers. They were marked with small white sticks, which residents believe are inadequate because they are easy to fall over, making them harder to see.

White sticks have been used to mark the traps.

Modern mole traps are legal and have a spring inside them that crushes and kills the mole when it enters.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said the traps were “dangerous” and could hurt more than just moles.

They said:

“At the moment residents are furious over mole traps that have been left around Cautley Drive in KIllinghall. These are up and down some of the main walking paths and sit close to where some of the kids play football and they’re only marked with a nondescript white stick.”

“Some holes have parts of the traps sticking out of the ground and when they’re set off they look less than safe for dogs and small children.”

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The RSCPA does not recommend the use of traps and says if you have moles in your garden, removing or flattening the molehills will solve any unsightly problems. Frequent lawn mowing, children playing and other noisy activity can also help to deter them.

A spokesperson for First Port, which manages the estate, said:

“We have been in regular contact with residents, as well as our pest control contractor, to resolve the issue of moles at Cricketers View. “We have been assured that the working parts of the traps are buried safely underground, with white sticks visible to indicate their locations. Following feedback from residents, our contractor will also be covering the top part of the traps throughout the remainder of their use, which we hope will provide further reassurance.”

Some residents have approached Harrogate Borough Council with their concerns about the traps.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesman said it was looking into the matter.

Final approval for 135 homes in Killinghall

A plan to build 135 homes in Killinghall has been given final approval.

Harrogate Borough Council has granted permission for the scheme, which was submitted back in 2017.

The homes will be built off Otley Road, before the junction with the A59 Skipton Road.

Approval was given after the council agreed a section 106 with Leeds-based Home Group.

The agreement will see 50 homes classed as affordable built on the site.

Of these, 34 will be made available to rent, including one, two, three and four-bed properties. Another 16 will be offered as part of a shared ownership scheme.

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The remaining homes will be sold on the open market.

The agreement also includes the “ongoing management and maintenance” of public open space at the development.

Following submission of the proposals, Killinghall Parish Council offered no objection to the plan.

However, it raised concern that access to the site from Otley Road would create a “rat run” through to Skipton Road.

A statement put before the council by planning agents Lichfield and Partners on behalf of the developer said the scheme would bring economic benefits to the area.

It said:

“The application proposals would have significant net social, economic and environmental benefits, which clearly outweigh any adverse impacts of the development.”

Some Kilinghall peacocks could be re-homed

Some of Killinghall’s peacocks could be re-homed following longstanding concerns about noise and damage.

The number of peacocks in the village has expanded rapidly in recent years and there are currently believed to be between nine and 16 birds roaming freely.

Some villagers love them but others, particularly those living in the Cautley Drive area where they roost, have complained about noise and damage.

In a social media post today. Killinghall Parish Council clerk Sue Reid said it had contacted Harrogate Borough Council, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs, the RSPCA and a peacock breeding organisation for help.

But because nobody owns the birds, and they wander around, nobody is responsible for their welfare — or any problems they create.

Some people in the village have said they suffer long-term sleep deprivation due to the birds’ loud screeching.

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Ms Reid’s post said:

“We understand that the situation with the peacocks has caused a huge divide in opinion.

“We would urge residents to try to be understanding of each other’s experiences and opinions of these birds.”

‘Difficult situation’

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Ms Reid said depending on the outcome of the RSPCA welfare checks, it was likely some of the birds would be re-homed by a peacock society in southern England.

She added some peacocks would remain in the village.

She also stressed the council was impartial on the issue but was acting in response to numerous complaints by villagers — not only by newcomers but also by people who have lived in Killinghall for years. She said:

“It is a very difficult situation and we are trying to do the best we can.”

Bilton’s resident peacock Peter was recently re-homed following concerns about his health.

 

 

Teens set fire to abandoned farm buildings on Skipton Road

A group of teenagers is believed to have set fire to abandoned farm buildings between Killinghall and Harrogate.

Cow Dyke Farm, on Skipton Road, was targeted on June 20 at about 7.15pm.

It has been the victim of numerous arson attacks in the past.

North Yorkshire Police today issued an appeal to help find the culprits behind the latest incident.

It said in a statement:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for information about any identification of people who were in that area at the time.”

You can call the police on 101, select option two and ask for Joshua Harrison. The officer can also be contacted on Joshua.Harrison@northyorkshire.police.uk.

The police reference number is 12210143681.

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