£7.7m upgrade of junction 47 on A1(M) delayed by two months

A £7.7 million project to upgrade junction 47 on the A1(M) at Flaxby has been delayed and is now scheduled to end in December.

Work began at the start of September last year to widen slip roads and install traffic lights to prevent vehicles queueing.

The project, carried out by contractors Farrans Construction on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, also involves upgrading the road network just off the junction.

It was due to end shortly but the completion date has been pushed back two months due to “unforeseen ground conditions”.

Barrie Mason, assistant director highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“Work to upgrade junction 47 on the A1(M) is progressing well and when complete will address congestion, improve road safety and support sustainable development in Harrogate and Knaresborough, as well as supporting the county council’s objective of improving east-west connections across North Yorkshire.

“Unforeseen ground conditions have required extra work on the southbound on-slip carriageway and this has delayed the scheme.

“The original planned completion date of late September or early October has been revised to December this year.”

The project is being funded by the county council with £2.47m from the government’s Local Growth Fund along with contributions from Highways England and developer Forward Investment LLP.

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Letter: Extending the Nidderdale Greenway is a ludicrous idea

Your recent article about plans to extend the Nidderdale Greenway fills me with dismay.

The article refers to ambitious plans to extend the Nidderdale Greenway from Ripley to Pateley Bridge and then to Scar House reservoir.

At a time when the world is trying to reduce its carbon footprint, encourage conservation and care of the environment and preserve historic footpaths and bridleways, it seems ludicrous that there should be a suggestion of a Greenway.

We all know it is not a Greenway, it will never be a Greenway but a Blackway as it will result in 19 miles of tarmac being laid over footpaths, bridleways, disused railway lines and virgin land.

It will destroy bridleways, which are used by walkers and horses, it will destroy footpaths that are used by walkers, it will destroy the environment and destroy flora and fauna. It will destroy and displace wildlife, animals, birds and insects from their homes and it will urbanise what is a beautiful rural dale.

I have no objections to cyclists but there is a perfectly adequate road system in Nidderdale for them to use which in part requires some physical fitness.

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The first cycle route from Knaresborough to Harrogate and Ripley is an urban route that people can access easily by cycle or on foot from the town. The proposed Blackway is not an urban route. It would require people to drive to it and then walk and cycle part of it. That in itself will cause congestion and increase our carbon footprint. The villages do not have adequate parking for an influx of vehicles.

Having viewed the Knaresborough to Ripley cycle route I see there has been a great deal of encroachment on to adjoining countryside and I am appalled to think of the amount of encroachment that would happen on any proposed extension.

I have yet to speak to a landowner who is in favour. I have yet to speak to a resident who is in favour, but I have spoken to many people who enjoy walking and riding on the existing footpaths and bridleways, and they are not in favour.

Instead of this constant misplaced enthusiasm that our local authorities show for cycling it would be better if they tried to spend taxpayers’ money on improving the town centre and its attractions. North Yorkshire has many challenges to deal with and a proposed tarmac track up Nidderdale should not be high on its priority list.

Richard Rusby, Burnt Yates

Knaresborough man turns passion for DJing into radio succcess

During the first lockdown one Knaresborough man and his cousin set up a new radio station to share their passion for DJing.

Andy Bolton from Knaresborough and Alex Render from Hull set up Locked Down Radio on Facebook in April 2020. Over the last 18 months they have moved to streaming on Mixcloud and hit 10,000 listeners in a week.

The pair had previously just played to family or put videos on Facebook but set up the radio station whilst they were stuck at home.

In the daytime Mr Bolton works as a high school teacher and Mr Render as a plumber but at night they stream live to hundreds of listeners as Rebs and Rendez.

The pair have now pulled together a rota with 30 international DJs. There are dance and house sets as well as themed nights such as Rock night.

Mr Bolton said:

“It was my cousin who set up the Facebook page after saying I should put my DJ videos out there. We got family involved at first then wanted to be a little more professional.

“We want to keep growing. We have loved everything we have done so far and are extremely proud of what we have achieved, we still don’t even know where this will take us, but we have some big ideas!”

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The pair said setting up Locked Down Radio has become a passion project for them and a way to bring the family together with a promotion team now on board the men are hoping to keep growing.

Their first live event will go ahead in Hull this weekend.

A website has now been launched with hopes of developing this to broadcast live on the site.

‘Dispose batteries safely’ warning after bin wagon catches fire in Knaresborough

Harrogate Borough Council has warned people to be careful disposing their household waste after a bin wagon caught fire in Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue responded to reports of smoke coming from the refuse collection vehicle on Manse Lane at 9.24am yesterday.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough rushed to the scene where they worked with the binmen to tip out the waste in a safe location and extinguish the fire. Nobody is believed to have been hurt.

An investigation by the fire crews determined the cause was likely to be a chemical reaction.

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A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“Our crew responded effectively to the event and our thanks go to them and the fire crews for their quick actions to ensure the fire was safely contained.

“Can we remind businesses and residents to think carefully about what they are disposing of in their general waste.

“Please ensure substances and in particular batteries are disposed of safely, not in with their general waste.”

Council blames covid for barring group from Knaresborough House

Harrogate Borough Council has blamed government advice on coronavirus for preventing a community group from meeting at Knaresborough House.

Knaresborough & District Men’s Forum has used Knaresborough House since 1970, so members consider it to be their home.

However, with just under a month to go until they plan to meet again the group has nowhere to go.

Even though the government dropped all legal social distancing measures in July, the council still considers coronavirus restrictions as part of its risk assessment.

With such restrictions in place the Knaresborough & District Men’s Forum, which attracts around 80 people, would not be able to use the council-owned Knaresborough House.

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The forum offers entertainment and company during winter for retired and semi-retired men in the Knaresborough area.

It usually meets every Tuesday morning and hosts speakers on all kinds of subjects except politics and religion. The £2 entry fee includes a hot drink and a biscuit.

Peter Cresswell, press officer for the forum, told the Stray Ferret:

“If we have to adhere by social distancing measures then we would not be able to use Knaresborough House.

“We do not want to find a new place to meet. The forum has met there every year for the past 50 years.

“It is just hard to understand when thousands of people can mix in football stadiums and at music festivals.”

Knaresborough House is the home of the group. Photo: Habiloid/Geograph

A council spokesman said:

“Whilst we appreciate the law governing social distancing may have changed, our risk assessment still contains certain measures in line with government advice.”

The guidance the council refers to states people “should limit the close contact with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually.”

The council spokesman added:

“The virus is still in circulation, and with public meetings often involving a number of different people who don’t normally come into contact with each other, particularly as it’s indoors, we’re continuing to apply a degree of caution to help keep everyone safe.

“To be clear on the social distancing point, we recognise that two metres isn’t always possible so have advised “one metre plus mitigating measures” under those circumstances.

“This is our current position, but we will of course continue to review our risk assessment and make changes as and when we deem it necessary.”

Knaresborough’s Picnic in the Park cancelled due to heavy rain

Organisers have cancelled today’s Picnic in the Park in Knaresborough due to the forecasted heavy rain and possible thunderstorms.

The free event in the gardens of Knaresborough House was set to start at 12pm and be part of the popular FEVA arts festival that is celebrating its 25th year.

Musicians that had been booked to play, including DJ Trev and Hot Sauce, will instead perform inside as part of the Knaresborough Lions Beer Festival at Knaresborough House that starts at 12pm.

See information about other FEVA events that are taking place this weekend here.

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Boulders installed to stop illegal traveller site in Knaresborough

Harrogate Borough Council has said large boulders will be installed at the site on Hay-A-Park Lane to try and prevent future illegal encampments.

The council has said the boulders are a temporary measure.

At the beginning of the month a large number of caravans arrived on Knaresborough’s rugby fields off Hay-A-Park Lane. The travellers were given an eviction notice by the council and left a week later.

A large amount of rubbish and human excrement was left at the site. Local residents called for volunteers to help with the clear-up but they were met by the police and told to stay away because of the threat to human health.

A council spokesperson said the site was cleaned by a group of council staff over “a couple of days” and added:

“There was numerous items of rubbish including furniture and white goods.

“A temporary solution of large boulders will be installed to prevent illegal encampments.”

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The council has not confirmed where the boulders will be placed but it is likely they will be put in the gap between the hedges in front of the gravelled entrance.

No further information was given on permanent measures.

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage in Knaresborough tonight

Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate, will be in Knaresborough tonight for one of the highlights of the town’s Feva festival.

Almost 200 tickets have been sold for An Evening With Simon Armitage, which takes place at Holy Trinity Church at 8pm. Just a few seats remain.

Armitage, who is from Marsden in West Yorkshire, was appointed Poet Laureate by the queen in 2019. he is also professor of poetry at the University of Leeds

He will read his poetry and answer questions from the audience before signing books.

Feva started last weekend and continues until this weekend.

Picnic in the Park, the last major event, takes place on Saturday afternoon in Knaresborough House. Entry is free.

Street entertainers will round off the festival on Sunday.

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Stray Views: Let’s do more to help travellers

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.

Let’s do more to help travellers

What a good idea for districts to provide stops for travellers en route to Appleby Horse Fair.

Having lived in the area for 80 years, I see the slight inconvenience of a couple of nights encampment en route or return as no problem.

Travellers have always stayed in the district. In my youth we had the fair at Boroughbridge. Traffic slowed to let the horses and caravans go along their slow and steady way. We have seen the steady decline in public houses over the years (a very English tradition) and we are in danger of losing our identity.

Yes, hold the travellers to account over how they leave the site and make arrangements for them to pay for a clear up, or block their exit if it is not done, I am sure they would comply as a safe stopover is better for all if put into place. Councils should think twice about costly court orders and put common sense into the mix.

Sandra Theobald, Harrogate

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We need new blood on our councils

Councillor Carl Les talks about fairness but what people want to know is: by how much their bills are going to reduce and what economies he is going to introduce?

There is no mention of this and no plan so until he can produce this, it’s not convincing. We also need new blood in our councillors, not just a reshuffle.

Harrogate people also want to know that their payments are actually spent in the town and not elsewhere in the region e.g. our roads are bad and North Yorkshire County Council’s highways department has consistently dragged its feet about traffic improvements whilst locals have told them how to improve matters.

What we really need, is for Harrogate to become a city and control its own affairs — we are certainly getting to this size.

Until we do, our cash can be siphoned elsewhere with little or no say about it.

John Holder, Harrogate

Harrogate Christmas Market is tacky!

I’m glad the Harrogate Christmas Market has been declined permission.
Harrogate is supposed to be posh but the market, along with the Christmas decorations, make it really tacky.
Susan Monk, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Knaresborough Beer Festival is making a comeback next weekend

Knaresborough Lions’ Charity Beer Festival is back this year after a year away with members eager to raise as much as they can for charity.

Coronavirus cancelled the 2020 festival but this year the Lions are back with their charity beer festival next weekend, Friday August 20 to August 22.

In previous years the festival has raised up to £4,000, with 80% of the funds staying locally. The Lions distribute the funds to numerous community and charity causes as well as to individuals and families identified by social services as in need of extra support.

The pandemic meant a number of the group’s usual events, including the Bed Race and Christmas Market, couldn’t go ahead so they’re hoping to make up for it this year.

The beer festival will be held in the assembly rooms inside Knaresborough House. Numbers will be regulated indoors so there is no overcrowding.

Mike Pyle, president of Knaresborough Lions said:

“There will be a running barbecue operated by Andy from McQueens, with separate vegan and street food on the Friday evening and all day on Saturday. Sunday, as ever, is pot luck day to see what’s left.

“The town feels like it is ready for a party and in conjunction with feva we are delighted to bring our beer festival back.”

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The Saturday afternoon section of the festival will run alongside the feva festival‘s Picnic in the Park.

Organisers promise there will be something for everyone with beers like Bad Kitty, Ay Up, Pale Rider, Screech Owl and Strength in Numbers as well as prosecco, wine, soft drinks and ciders.

Entertainment will be provided by Chorus Crew and Paul Watson on Friday. Saturday afternoon will be devoted to feva’s line-up in the gardens, with Paul Mirfin and Paul Watson playing later.

Sunday afternoon visitors will be entertained by the Tewit Youth Band.

The beer festival runs across the weekend; 7-11pm on Friday, 12-11pm on Saturday and Sunday from midday.