Council silent on claims it ignored safety warnings on collapsed Knaresborough wall

North Yorkshire Council has failed to respond to claims it ignored warnings about the state of a wall that collapsed in Knaresborough.

The stone wall on Briggate fell onto the highway on September 14 this year.

Fortunately, nobody was injured on what is one of the town’s busiest routes for pedestrians and motorists — but traffic lights have caused delays and disruption ever since.

Several residents and councillors have told the Stray Ferret they contacted the council about the wall before it fell. We were also told the council had a safety report on the wall.

Nearly three months on, the council has yet to respond to these claims.

The wall collapsed in September.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough East on North Yorkshire Council, alerted the council in an email on June 16 last year.

Her message, seen by the Stray Ferret, said several old stone walls in Knaresborough needed “investigating and possibly monitoring for safety”, with Briggate top of the list.

It added:

“I am unsure who owns each wall but in each case they would either impact a road or path if they were to break down, and could potentially be a risk to life and also their repair could cause significant congestion in the town.”

 

 

 

 

Cllr Gostlow (pictured), who is also the current Knaresborough mayor, told the Stray Ferret:

“This issue was widely known about by residents and councillors.”

After the wall collapsed, Briggate resident Catherine Rogerson told the Stray Ferret she had reported the structure to North Yorkshire Council the previous month because it appeared to be buckling. She added:

“I said it was an emergency and could collapse, causing a nasty accident.

“Several other local people have also contacted them about it. We all stressed it was in a dangerous state.”

Failed to act

When the wall came down, we asked the council to respond to Ms Rogerson’s claims.

Melisa Burnham, the council’s highways area manager, said traffic lights would remain in place until repairs to the wall are carried out and “we are liaising with residents of nearby properties and are in discussions with contractors to ensure the work is completed as quickly as possible”.

We replied to the council’s media office, which handles all media enquiries, to say Ms Burnham’s response did not address the claims the council had failed to act on warnings.

However, we did not receive a response so we subsequently submitted a freedom of information request asking how many people had complained about the state of the wall in the previous two years and what action the council had taken. We also asked to be sent the council safety report.

Public bodies are supposed to respond to freedom of information requests within 20 working days.

After six weeks without a response, we pursued the matter with the council this week. It said the delay was “due to the request initially being under the incorrect service area” and a response would be sent “as soon as possible”.

Cllr Matt Walker who represents Knaresborough West said the council’s response since the wall collapsed has been wholly inadequate. He said:

“The council have avoided answering questions including providing a safety report that was done days before the wall fell. I wonder why?

“A full investigation needs to be done to understand why it happened in the first place and lessons learned. Residents have lost faith in the highways team to do anything and so have I.”

Cllr Walker also said he had received several reassurances work would start at the beginning of November but it only began on November 27, causing weeks of traffic lights around the unattended rubble.

At one point there were reports on social media of fed-up residents attempting to remove the rubble themselves.

That never happened and now the rubble is off the highway, but traffic lights remain.

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director for environment, said on November 22 the “works are now more complex than first anticipated” because of residents’ concerns about the cellars that were impacted by the collapsed wall”.

Roadworks are usually prohibited during Knaresborough’s annual Christmas Market Weekend, which begins today.

But the ongoing saga of the wall means they will continue to operate on Briggate, and are likely to do so for many weeks to come.

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Knaresborough set for Christmas Market Weekend

Knaresborough will begin two days of festive fun when its Christmas Market Weekend gets underway tomorrow.

The Christmas market, which takes place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, is the centrepiece of a host of activities around the town.

The market will feature about 65 stalls, food and free entertainment, including Morris dancers, music and singing.

Many Knaresborough traders are staying open until 7pm for late night shopping on Saturday.

Elsewhere, more than 70 decorated Christmas trees will be on display in St John’s Church for the annual Great Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival. The festival, which is free to enter, begins tomorrow and runs until December 23.

Photo of Christmas trees in the aisles of St John's Church in Knaresborough, at the Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival in 2022.

The Christmas tree festival

Holy Trinity Church on Briggate is running a Christmas fair tomorrow and Sunday.

The weekend will close with a 10-minute firework finale, set against the backdrop of Knaresborough viaduct and the Nidd Gorge, at 4.30pm on Sunday.

Event co-sponsor 1858 Bar & Restaurant will hold an after-party following the firework finale.

Parking in Knaresborough is limited. A free park and ride service will operate from the GSPK car park on Manse Lane (postcode HG5 8LF) to the town centre from 8am to 5.30pm both days.

The new banking hub on Kirkgate will open for counter services between 9am to 5pm both days, which will enable people to withdraw cash.

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Knaresborough Heritage Centre to open next year

A Knaresborough Heritage Centre will open on the town’s High Street next year.

The centre will include a shop selling Knaresborough books, gifts and cards, an information centre for visitors and a multi-purpose gallery for exhibitions, talks and workshops.

Located in the former Printzone premises, it is hoped the building will be open to visitors at least four days a week from spring.

Knaresborough Town Museum Group was set up in 2019 to campaign for a museum. It was renamed Knaresborough Museum Association and registered as a charity in 2021.

The association had a small gallery and office space in a converted house at 8 York Place, which has now closed to visitors.

Kathy Allday, chair of Knaresborough Museum Association

A planned move to the former Castle girls’ school fell through after protracted negotiations with Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April.

Kathy Allday, chair of the association, has now announced the organisation has received the keys to the former Printzone premises opposite the bus station.

Ms Allday said:

“York Place has been great but this will enable us to do more activities.

“We will be stepping-up in a lot of different areas.”

It is hoped the new site, which needs refurbishing, will be ready to open by spring.

The association organised the first Knaresborough archaeological festival in October, which attracted more than 1,000 people over two weekends.

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Free warm spaces offered in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Temperatures have plummeted this week across the Harrogate district as winter begins to bite.

The cold weather, which has in some areas dropped to -3 degrees, has left many worried about how to keep warm.

Netmakers, a movement of churches formerly known as Harrogate Hub, has provided a list of churches and community organisations offering support during the cold weather.

The list includes organisations in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Starbeck offering space Monday to Friday.

You can find the list below.

Resurrected Bites and Harrogate District Food Bank are also offering space amid the freezing temperatures.

If you know of any others in these places or in Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham let us know and we will add them. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Further information on warm spaces can also be found on the Harrogate and District Community Action website here.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales pub in Starbeck has also invited people to use the pub as a free place of warmth this winter.

Landlady Alison Griffiths told the Stray Ferret previously that “inflation has caused everything to go up – I just hope to save some people money”.

People don’t have to declare they’re using the service, she added, but instead can just take a seat, chat and enjoy themselves for as long as they like.

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Knaresborough business group folds

Knaresborough Business Collective, which was set up to encourage more people to visit the town, has folded.

The group, which was established in the wake of the vote not to create a Knaresborough Business Improvement District, announced the news on social media today.

Founders Natalie Horner and Annie Wilkinson-Gill said “the time has come to say enough is enough”.

The duo organised numerous initiatives for the town including Christmas trees for traders, a scarecrow festival and business awards.

Their decision followed the theft of 20 Christmas trees last week, which Ms Horner described as “absolutely sickening”. Her own printing business Sid Horner and Sons was burgled six days earlier.

It prompted numerous messages of support from people saying how grateful they were for all that the two women have done for the town.

Peter Lacey, from Knaresborough Chamber, thanked the group for all its “hard work for the town”.

The collective’s demise may reignite calls for another ballot on whether to establish a BID.

Ms Horner and Ms Wilkinson-Gill said on social media:

“This was not an easy decision, and one not taken lightly by either of us. We have powered through adversity, harassment, theft, abuse, criticism, vandalism, complaints, slander, all of which has crossed the line to personal attacks on our own businesses and characters.

“We did what we did because we love Knaresborough, it’s businesses, it’s community, it’s residents, but we could only handle so much when we are doing every part of it voluntarily. We have neglected our businesses, our families, our homes and our health, both mental and physical, and the time has come to say enough is enough.

“We have achieved so much over the last few years, and while we loved it, every single thing we have done has been met with some form of negativity or been destroyed. We both have strong shoulders and thick skin but it is too much for two people to take. We have six young children between us and five businesses. It feels as though what turned from people being grateful soon became what people just expected.”

The post said Ms Horner, who runs printing firm Sid Horner and Sons, had lost lost thousands of pounds by printing items for free and Ms Wilkinson-Gill had paid her own staff to work at events.

It added the two women will still do things for town on a personal level, including the Knaresborough Business Awards.

Knaresborough Business Awards

Knaresborough Business Awards. Pic Brian King

They will also spend funds accrued on CCTV cameras for traders “as our parting gifts for town”, with any money left being split between local charities.

The post concluded:

“Thank you to everybody who has helped us, thanked us, supported us and volunteered, we are so grateful and think Knaresborough really is the best place, not just all the wonderful businesses but the people who make it what it is.

“We are proud of what we have achieved in just a few years and hope if anything comes of this it is that everybody supports each other and their businesses.”

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New tailoring and alterations shop to open in Harrogate

A tailoring and alterations company is set to open on Cheltenham Parade in Harrogate.

Monsieur K Bespoke Tailoring will take over the unit formerly occupied by Adage Dance, which announced it would move to an online-only service in May.

The company, which opened its first store on Knaresborough High Street in 2016, offers tailoring and alteration services for all types of clothing, as well as custom-made clothing.

Owner and tailor, Robin Katiksiz, told the Stray Ferret customers will be able to order bespoke items which will be made in-house.

He added:

“All our garments are manufactured in-house using high-quality materials, fabrics, linings, buttons, etc. In addition, customers will be able to bring their clothes for precise alterations and repairs.

“This principle applies to all types of clothing, guaranteeing a perfect fit and quality work. In our new store, our primary goal, as always, is to provide quality craftsmanship and top-notch customer service.”

The current Knaresborough unit.

Mr Katiksiz also said he has a “deep attachment” to Harrogate and the idea of opening another store in the town has “always attracted” him.

He hopes the Harrogate store will be open shortly before Christmas, but if construction work is not completed by then, Mr Katiksiz said it would open on January 4 next year.

It will be located opposite another alterations company, Golden Stitches, which opened more than 10 years ago.

Monsieur K Bespoke Tailoring will be open every day, 10am – 2pm.

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Council defends putting EV charge points in Knaresborough car park after furore

North Yorkshire Council has defended the controversial installation of electric vehicle charge points in a Knaresborough car park after traders claimed it was putting shoppers off visiting the town.

Ten of the 56 regular parking bays in the town centre Chapel Street car park were turned into electric vehicle-only spaces with charge points at the end of 2022 by the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council.

Since then, however, there have been reports of the spaces reserved for EVs laying empty, which has angered traders particularly on busy market days when it is hard to park.

A petition set up by hairdresser Kelly Teggin against the move has been signed by over 500 people. In September, Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors made several requests to North Yorkshire Council regarding the car park.

Requests included asking the council to renegotiate the contact with the charge point provider, so it can roll out the infrastructure in a more “phased” manner to enable people in non-EV cars to park in some of the bays.

Keisha Moore, senior transport planning officer at the council, responded to the petition and the requests at a meeting of Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors on Thursday.

Ms Moore referred to a report that was published ahead of the meeting but said the council’s approach to the charge points would not be changing.

The report warned any changes would “undermine” the council’s EV infrastructure roll out strategy, which aims to encourage the uptake of EVs and contribute to the council’s decarbonisation goals.

The council received a grant to install the charge points and Ms Moore added that any changes could lead to the government asking for its money back.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough West, Matt Walker, expressed disappointment that there has been “no action” on the charge points and called on North Yorkshire Council to offer improved signage so residents better understand why they’ve been put there.

He said:

“The people of Knaresborough are crying out for a can-do council and the report goes short of understanding the issues. There’s no clear action on how we can make improvements to the parking and active travel for the town.”

Cllr Peter Lacey, who represents Harrogate Coppice Valley and Duchy for the Lib Dems and is also a member of the Knaresborough Chamber, said the council was “getting it wrong” by putting groups of charge points in the car park, rather than spreading them out across the town to encourage uptake.

The Chapel Street scheme was a pilot for the council and Ms Moore said the approach for installing charge points will differ across North Yorkshire.

She added:

“In order to get to a fair and equitable rollout across the county I don’t think we need to be putting 12 [charge points] in each and every car park.”

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GALLERY: Knaresborough’s Christmas lights switch-on

Hundreds of people filled Knaresborough Market Place last night for Bright Friday.

The community event began with a light parade from Knaresborough Castle to the Market Place, where there was festive music and entertainment.

At 6.30pm, Father Christmas appeared and at the end of a countdown the Christmas tree lights were switched on, marking the start of the festive period in Knaresborough.

Bright Friday began several years ago. It always takes place on the same day as Black Friday but rather than being about shopping and money, it is a free community event that brings people together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

Here are some photos from last night.

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The light parade was led by torchlight.

Hundreds of people wait for the lights to be switched on.

Town crier Mark Hunter and his consort.

Mayor Hannah Gostlow paves the way for Santa.

 

Bright Friday to begin Christmas season in Knaresborough tonight

The Christmas season will get underway in Knaresborough tonight with Bright Friday.

The event — billed as the antidote to Black Friday — is a free community occasion that includes the Christmas tree lights switch on, a parade to music, mulled wine, Father Christmas and a school choir.

Organised by Knaresborough Town Council, it begins with a performance by Meadowside Academy Choir in the Market Place.

At 6pm, the light parade sets off from the war memorial in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle and at 6.30pm the Christmas tree lights are switched on.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, the Mayor of Knaresborough, said the event is always held on the same day as shopping extravaganza Black Friday.

She added:

“It’s an antidote to Black Friday because it’s all about community and doing something positive — the true spirit of Christmas.”

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‘Absolutely sickening’: 20 Christmas trees stolen in Knaresborough

A trader who runs a business group in Knaresborough has said she is “absolutely sickened” after about 20 Christmas trees were stolen.

Natalie Horner, co-founder of Knaresborough Business Collective, organises the annual distribution of Christmas trees to shops in Knaresborough. The trees make the town more festive and any left over are given to charity.

The trees had been delivered and were in the process of being sent out this week when burglars struck last night.

In a social media post this morning Ms Horner, whose own commercial printing business Sid Horner and Son was burgled six days earlier, said:

“I cannot believe I’m posting this six days after my shop was burgled. Last night two men came and robbed around 20 trees.

“We are going to do our best to get as many shops done as possible but it means we will be short now and will have to refund some businesses.

“The saddest part is any trees left over every year we donate to charities and people who can’t afford a tree.”

The post said the criminals had also broken festoon lights, adding:

“I’m absolutely sickened somebody would do this and it’s just a constant battle at the moment and we are done in.

“If anybody hears of trees for sale or sees them in somebody’s garden today please message us. Also please check CCTV If you are on the High Street as we believe they left via the bottom end of the High Street.”

It’s not the first time one of the collective, which organises initiatives that boost the town centre, has suffered criminal damage.

Several scarecrows that formed part of a half-term trail for children to enjoy last month were vandalised.

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