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 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.
Read more:
- Otley Road cycle path could be re-routed with new traffic restrictions
- New plans to tackle traffic on Harrogate’s A61
Hairdresser’s spooktacular display wins Knaresborough Halloween contest
The spooktacular display at Claro Hair Stylists in Knaresborough has been crowned the winner of the town’s Halloween window competition.
The impressive window on the High Street includes potion bottles, cauldrons and spell books, which have been created by owner Sue Orr.
The competition, organised by Knaresborough Business Collective, is being run alongside the Halloween scarecrow trail.
Annie Wilkinson-Gill, from The Crystal Buddha, who launched the not-for-profit business group with Natalie Horner, from Sid Horner and Son said:
“Sue was thrilled to have won.
“This is our third window competition through the business collective and the turnout has been great. Lots of businesses decorated their windows in the run up to Halloween. It really creates a buzz in town and people love looking at all the displays.
They all looked spectacular, especially alongside the scarecrow trail, which has done so well and brought a lot of people into Knaresborough. We’ve sold hundreds of maps for the trail. We did have some vandalism on the first night, but since then it’s more than made up for it.”
Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough, which have been causing delays this month, 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 Harrogate, roadworks on the notorious Wetherby Road in Harrogate have been causing delays all week.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until Friday.
The map also indicates a slew of traffic lights this week on nearby Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.
In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
Roadworks on the notorious Wetherby Road in Harrogate have been causing delays all week.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until Friday.
In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
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. The live departure and arrival board for Harrogate doesn’t currently show any delays.
The Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems. You can get updates here.
Read more:
- Otley Road cycle path could be re-routed with new traffic restrictions
- New plans to tackle traffic on Harrogate’s A61
Poppies to adorn Knaresborough castle again
Knitted poppies will be put on Knaresborough castle on Friday as the town prepares for Remembrance Sunday.
Decorating the castle with poppies has become an annual occurrence since it was first done to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice.
Brenda Pitchfork, a member of the town’s branch of the Royal British Legion, has been at the forefront of efforts.
Ms Pitchfork’s work was recognised recently when she received Knaresborough Town Council‘s 2022 community award on behalf of the Legion from outgoing town mayor Christine Willoughby.
The Knaresborough branch of Royal British Legion with their community award.
This year’s Poppy Appeal will begin in the town on Monday and there will be a fundraising stall at Knaresborough market on November 2.
David Houlgate, vice-chair of the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion, said this year’s appeal aimed to exceed the £31,000 raised last year.
Volunteer collectors are still needed for the three main collection points at Lidl, Aldi and M&S Food. If you can help, call 07984700429.
Read more:
- Knitted poppies start to be put up around Harrogate’s war memorial
- Firefighters put up poppies as Ripon prepares for services of Remembrance
Volunteers step in to run Conyngham Hall leisure facilities
Facilities at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough are set to reopen after community volunteers stepped in.
Chain Lane Community Hub is set to run the kiosk, 18-hole pitch and putt, tennis courts and crazy golf as part of an agreement with Harrogate Borough Council.
The borough council has offered the management of the facilities to volunteers as part of a peppercorn lease.
It will see the kiosk and other attractions open every day of the October half term holidays from 10am until 3.30pm.
Sue Vasey of Chain Lane Community Hub said:
“This is such a positive step for Knaresborough and we are delighted with the support we are receiving from all parts of the community.
“We have already recruited 12 volunteers who are working alongside the Chain Lane team to make this happen. We are still looking for more, so please get in touch if you would like to be involved.
“Over half term, as well as the usual facilities, there will be autumn themed family craft activities which includes a nature trail with small prizes for the children.
“The kiosk will be providing light refreshments at reasonable prices – an opportunity for families to come together in a fun and affordable environment.
“Equipment for the golf and tennis facilities will be available for a donation towards the upkeep and future development of the facilities and supporting our local community sector.
“We hope as many people as possible will come along and support us and we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone.”
Read more:
The move has been backed by Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, Knaresborough Connectors, local businesses, North Yorkshire County Council and Knaresborough Town Council.
The leisure facilities at Conyngham Hall were forced to close due to staffing shortages in June.
Cllr Sam Gibbs, Harrogate Borough Council cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:
Roadworks lead to long queues on A59 near Knaresborough“We are delighted that the community has stepped forward to bring the Games in the Park at Conyngham Hall back into use.
“It demonstrates what can be done when local authorities and community groups work together with one vision”
Queues of more than an hour have been reported as motorists try to navigate roadworks on the edge of Knaresborough.
Four-way traffic lights are in place to allow Yorkshire Water to carry out work on the A59 near the junction with the A658.
However, they have been leading to long tailbacks, especially at peak times. Drivers have reported queues all the way back to the junction of the A1M and beyond.
Harrogate Bus Company said its 21 service between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge has also been caught up in the delays.
https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1584480023918309381
Works in the area began at the start of October, but recently moved to the roundabout.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said the queues had eased today, adding:
“Our teams are on site laying a new water main for a new housing development.
“To allow the work to be completed safely, two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place this week.
“These will be manually controlled from 7am to 7pm to minimise disruption as much as possible during busier periods of the day.”
The works in the area are scheduled to continue until November 11.
Read more:
- Otley Road cycle path could be re-routed with new traffic restrictions
- New plans to tackle traffic on Harrogate’s A61
Malt Shovel reopens today under new owners
The Malt Shovel at Brearton is due to reopen today under new ownership.
The 16th century venue near Knaresborough forged a good reputation for traditional pub food under previous owners Charlotte and Les Mitchell.
But they decided to sell after 28 years, having leased the pub for the last 18 years before retiring to Cumbria in 2015.
The Malt Shovel
It has been taken over by Ignition Pub Management on a three-month trial, and will be managed by partners Laura Davis and James Campbell.
Both worked at the pub previously: Mr Campbell, who was a sous chef, will run the kitchen and Ms Davis, who has 15 years experience in hospitality, will be in charge of front of house.
The couple held a pre-opening for villagers and regulars last night but will open to everyone from noon today. Ms Davis said:
“I want to reassure people that we are very much keeping it the same. We don’t want to change things too much.
“It’s a great opportunity and we are very excited.”
The dining area
Ms Davis said the menu would be “very similar” although there were plans for a lower priced lunchtime menu featuring sandwiches and they were also considering introducing afternoon teas.
She added the couple also hoped to eventually spruce up the outside space.
Read more:
- Malt Shovel pub near Knaresborough up for sale
- New plans to promote cycling in Harrogate to be revealed on Monday
Business Breakfast: Experts to discuss Knaresborough’s economic potential
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Knaresborough’s potential for economic development will be the subject of a business meeting on November 9.
Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce has invited two senior regional business experts to the event at Knaresborough Rugby Club on Hay-A-Park Lane from 530pm to 7pm.
They are James Farrar, chief operating officer of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Alan Reiss, director of strategy for West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Delegates will have first sight of data about Knaresborough’s economic future, which has been compiled by Leeds not-for-profit organisation Open Innovations, which was commissioned by Knaresborough Connectors to provide insights and intelligence.
Peter Lacey, chamber executive member and owner of a nationwide consulting firm based in Knaresborough, said:
“Economic development is crucial for a town like Knaresborough, bringing together all the skills and opportunities across the town and local district.
“We’ve got some great companies based here, but to date there’s been little joined-up thinking about how we can all add to the wellbeing of local residents, the community and how we see the future of the town as a thriving centre of innovation and growth.”
Further details of the event, which the chamber has organised in association with Knaresborough Voice and Knaresborough Connectors. are available here.
Success for Harrogate solicitor
The crime department at McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate has extended its ability to assist people who are interviewed under caution with the admittance of criminal law executive Kate Develly as an accredited police station representative.
It means Ms Develly can assist not only those interviewed by police but also by other bodies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, HMRC or the Environment Agency.
The accreditation scheme covers publicly funded criminal defence work and accredited representatives are usually called to a police station to advise and assist people who would otherwise have no legal representation.
Head of the crime department Peter Minnikin said:
“Kate’s accreditation brings the total number of the team who can act in legally-aided police station visits to seven and comes at a time when we have been exceptionally busy so is very welcome.”
Ms Develly joined the criminal team last year.
McCormicks was the only Harrogate firm to be ranked for general crime and fraud in the latest edition of the UK Legal 500, a leading guide to the legal profession.
Two excavators stolen from Knaresborough building site
Two excavators have been stolen from a building site just off the A59 at Knaresborough.
The machines were taken last night from Swallowtail Way, which is near the Trinity Fields development and Aldi supermarket.
North Yorkshire Police today appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
The machines are both yellow — one is five tonnes and the other is nine tonnes.
A police statement said:
“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In particular, we are appealing for sightings of any suspicion people or vehicles in the vicinity of this location, or any sightings of the stolen excavators following the offence.”
Anyone with information can email Hazel.Simms-Williamson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Hazel Simms.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220185371.
Read more:
- Police say Harrogate town centre ‘is safe’ despite highest anti-social behaviour rate in county
- Tandem stolen from Knaresborough garage
Harrogate district MPs silent on emergency statement
The three Conservative MPs whose constituencies include the Harrogate district have declined to comment on today’s emergency statement.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt reversed almost all of Prime Minister Liz Truss’s tax cuts, which were announced in the government’s mini-budget three weeks ago.
Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, welcomed last month’s growth plan, saying on his Community News website:
“There are a huge number of measures, many focused on our productivity and investment which are the platforms for future growth. So, plenty to be positive about here in Harrogate and Knaresborough.”
Today we asked Mr Jones, along with Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, and Nigel Adams, who represents Selby and Ainsty, to comment on today’s announcement by Mr Hunt.
We also asked them whether the Prime Minister should resign, after three Conservative MPs called for her to do so.
Neither Mr Jones nor Mr Smith had replied by the time of publication.
Read more:
- Andrew Jones MP launches ‘non-political’ fact-checking service
- Harrogate business chief: government’s economic credentials ‘in tatters’
Mr Smith was critical of the tax cutting agenda in last month’s mini-budget. He said at the time:
“In a statement with many positive enterprise measures this huge tax cut for the very rich at a time of national crisis and real fear and anxiety amongst low income workers and citizens is wrong.”
Maire Crosse, Mr Adams’ senior parliamentary assistant, did reply but only to say:
“Nigel is away today and not contactable. Therefore, he will not be providing a comment.”