Harrogate and Knaresborough trains to trial leaf-busting jetsTrains passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough will be fitted with water jets this autumn to blast leaves off the line.
Fallen leaves frequently cause delays this time of year by sticking to rails and reducing trains’ grip.
Rail operator Northern said the trials on five trains operating on the line between Leeds and York, which runs through Harrogate and Knaresborough, could prevent this.
The trial, which will also take place on routes between Liverpool, Wigan and Manchester, is being funding by Network Rail’s performance innovation fund.
The technology, called Water-Trak, is based on the discovery that leaf-coated rails only become slippery if damp, noting that trains still stop safely in heavy rain.
Water-Trak creates rainy-day conditions on the rail surface by spraying a small amount of water from the train onto the track when a slippery rail is detected. This cleans the rail and makes the conditions better for braking.
Rob Cummings, seasonal performance improvement manager at Northern, said he hoped it would lead to a more reliable service.
By next autumn, a further 11 trains will have the Water-Trak system fitted.
John Cooke, co-founder at Water-Trak, said:
“Slippery rails are a massive problem for the rail industry, and we hope to play a big part in resolving this issue.
“We’re hoping that by working with Northern we can make autumn disruption a thing of the past.”
Read more:
Reduction of Harrogate fire engines based on faulty data, commissioner admitsThe decision to reduce Harrogate’s number of nighttime fire engines was based on faulty information, it has been revealed.
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe controversially reduced the number of appliances from two to one in her recent three-year fire service blueprint for North Yorkshire.
One of the main concerns during consultation was that if a second fire engine was required to come from Knaresborough in an emergency, it could get held up at Starbeck level crossing.
At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting in September last year, Ms Metcalfe allayed fears by saying firefighters knew the train times and could ring ahead to Network Rail if they needed to cross urgently.
Ms Metcalfe addresses Harrogate Borough Council in September last year.
But in response to a freedom of information request, Ms Metcalfe’s office has now admitted this was “incorrect”.
Tina James-McGrath, a staff member at the commissioner’s office, said the information was provided by a now-retired “member of the senior leadership team” at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and it was then “relayed in good faith by the commissioner”.
Ms James-McGrath added:
“It has since transpired as a result of investigating your query further, that the information provided to the commissioner was incorrect.”
She said Harrogate and Knaresborough fire stations “have an awareness of train times, but this can be difficult to predict” and the fire stations “will not call Network Rail when working at an incident on or close to a train line where working crews may be put at a safety risk”.
Ms James-McGrath also acknowledged “ad hoc freight trains also use the line and there is no process for emergency services to phone ahead”.
Starbeck signallers, she added, will delay lowering the barriers when possible “if they do see an emergency vehicle approaching reasonably close to the crossing” but “once the barriers are down the signaller must wait for the train to pass before they can raise the barrier”.
The proposed closure of Bogs Lane and Kingsley Road to through traffic would only add to the traffic at the crossing, she said, adding:
“Network Rail also noted that the traffic flow is at saturation point now and appreciates that the closure of the nearby road is not going to help this or the emergency services.”
‘The difference between life and death’
Pat Marsh, a Liberal Democrat borough and county councillor who raised concerns about Starbeck level crossing with Ms Metcalfe last year, said she was “greatly saddened by the response”, adding:
“I am really worried about the hold-ups that are happening at Starbeck crossing.
“I personally have seen ambulances waiting five minutes for the barriers to lift, this can be the difference between life and death.
“We need everyone round the table ASAP to discuss this very serious issue to ensure the safety of our local residents. People who really know and understand the issues.”
Read more:
Paul Haslam, a Conservative borough and county councillor, said:
“The critical issue for me is that Network Rail update the technology at the Starbeck crossing so that the barriers are down for significantly less time which improves traffic flow, reduces idling and makes access easier should we have the misfortune to need the emergency services.
“I have lobbied together with [Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough] Andrew Jones on this for a number of years. It needs fixing! The more voices shouting for this change the better.”
The Stray Ferret asked Ms Metcalfe’s office whether the information about Starbeck crossing was checked and whether she would consider reviewing her decision or agreeing to Cllr Marsh’s request for an urgent meeting but it did not respond.
Password protected gates installed at Knaresborough level crossingNetwork Rail has installed a passcode protected gate to keep people off the railtracks in Knaresborough.
The new gate has been put in place at Green Lane level crossing, near the Trinity Fields housing development in the town, to prevent trespassing.
Officials at the organisation worked with Harrogate Borough Council to install the facility.
Network Rail said an average of 20 to 25 people such as dog walkers or joggers illegally used the level crossing each day.
It added that in 2022 the gates were recklessly left open 20 times, posing a real risk for children, vulnerable people and animals.
The access to private land from Green Lane level crossing.
Darren Lord, north and east route level crossing manager for Network Rail, said:
“We’re really proud to have worked with Harrogate Borough Council and the housing developers to champion this simple, quick-thinking solution which will vastly reduce risk and improve safety for the community.
“The railway isn’t the place to take a shortcut and we have to put safety first. With the new gate in place, the level crossing will be able to do what it was designed for – to help people safely cross over the railway on to their private land and remove the risk for the public.
“You can never predict when the next train is coming, so entering the railway where you’re not supposed to can be incredibly dangerous and lead to fatal or life-changing injuries.”
Read more:
The new gate will be used by authorised people to access the level crossing to reach private land.
Those people have been given the keycode and briefed on how to use the new system safely.
Cllr Tim Myatt, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for planning, added:
“We want to ensure all residents are kept as safe as possible.
“By working with Network Rail and the housing developer to introduce this anti-trespass measure we can help prevent people illegally trespassing on to the railway.
“This measure will also help ensure the gate is not recklessly left open, reducing the risk for children, vulnerable people and animals.”
132-year-old Knaresborough station canopy restoredThe 132-year-old canopy at Knaresborough station has been restored and given a new lease of life.
The canopy at the main entrance, which had been reinforced by scaffolding to protect passengers, has been repaired following work by Network Rail.
The Grade II listed structure has seen a complete roof renewal and redecoration throughout, including a fresh lick of paint in its traditional white and green colours
Robert Ellams, route engineer for Network Rail’s north and east route, said:
“The revamped entrance has made a real difference to the station, giving it a vital upgrade whilst retaining its historic look. The crucial repair work will not only improve passenger experience, but it will also help to protect the Grade II listed building for future generations.
“I’d like to thank passengers, our partners and the community for their patience and hope they continue to enjoy the station’s connections to York, Harrogate and Leeds for years to come.”
With the refurbishment now complete, the structure matches the platform canopies which were also restored back in 2016.
The move to restore the canopy follows a £150,000 upgrade to the station roof back in 2019.
Andrew Jones, Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:
“This is great work from Network Rail and is part of a greater programme of investment in our stations and railways. It is also an investment in our heritage as this is a Grade II listed structure
“The Network Rail team were really responsive when the Friends of Knaresborough Station approached me wanting the work completed quickly. They prioritised it and now we have a fantastic looking station with brilliant businesses on the platform to go with more and better rail services.”
Read more:
Rail replacement services to operate between Harrogate and York over ChristmasTrain passengers between Harrogate and York will face disruption over Christmas as Network Rail carries out track and signalling work.
The organisation will undertake £6 million improvements at York Station from Christmas Eve until January 2, 2023.
It will see 2.7km of track renewed, as well as nine sets of points – the specialist piece of equipment which allows trains to move from one section of track to another.
The work means that passengers from Harrogate and Knaresborough will have to change at Poppleton and board a rail replacement bus to get to York.
Read more:
Network Rail has urged people to check services before they travel and have warned that services will take longer than normal.
Sam MacDougall, operations director for Network Rail’s East Coast route said:
“Our teams will be out working hard this Christmas to provide an improved railway for passengers.
“The work at York is crucial to keep trains running reliably and smoothly for years to come. Our engineering work and the impact of planned industrial action will mean changes to some services, so passengers are urged to plan ahead and check before travelling.”
A spokesperson on behalf of train operators on the route said:
“These key upgrades at York will mean changes to services over the festive period and passengers should check their journey before travelling via National Rail Enquires or their train operator.
“We are working hard to keep people moving this Christmas, with rail replacement services and diversion routes, but this means your journey will take longer and may be busier than usual.”
The move comes as LNER cancelled two trains from Harrogate to London King’s Cross today due to a shortage of train crew.
The 9.36am and 5.36pm services have been affected.
Meanwhile, passengers on the 3.36pm service have been asked to travel to Leeds to board the train as a shortage of crew means it will no longer call at Harrogate and Horsforth.
Warning not to travel as strikes set to hit rail travel across Harrogate districtTrain journeys across the Harrogate district are set to be severely disrupted this weekend as a national strike takes place.
Northern is advising passengers not to travel, with no trains currently scheduled to run through Harrogate and Knaresborough on the Leeds to York line on Saturday, November 5.
Network Rail has warned that there will be no rail connection between Yorkshire and London. Passengers heading towards the capital will only be able to get as far as Doncaster, and many other services across the region will be very limited.
The strike action by the RMT union will be repeated on Monday, November 7 and Wednesday, November 9. Services on the following days – Sunday, November 6, Tuesday, November 8, and Thursday, November 10 – are also expected to be disrupted, especially in the mornings.
Matt Rice, north and east route director for Network Rail said:
“I’m really sorry for the impact that this latest round of industrial action will have on passengers’ plans. We’re only able to offer a very limited service across Yorkshire, and trains that do run are likely to be busier than usual.
“Our best advice is to plan ahead, check your journey before setting off, and to only travel by train if it’s absolutely necessary on strike days. Thank you for bearing with us as we continue conversations with the trade unions to come to an agreement.”
This month’s strike is the seventh round of industrial action in the dispute over pay and conditions for rail workers. The union said its members are concerned about redundancies leading to unsafe conditions for staff on trains and in stations, as well as pay freezes for staff including cleaners, catering staff and track maintenance workers, while rail companies continue to make large profits and bosses take home high salaries.
Read more:
Harrogate commuters set for fewer ‘leaves on the line’ delays?Rail operator Northern is fitting new technology to its trains to combat leaves on the line, which can cause autumn frustration for commuters.
Leaves stick to damp rails and are compressed into a smooth, slippery layer, reducing the trains’ grip.
This can delay services so Northern is fitting what it describes as ‘leaf-busting’ technology to 16 of its 170 passenger trains operating between Leeds, Harrogate, and York.
Routes between Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull and Scarborough will also be upgraded. The locations were chosen because they are some of those most affected by leaves.
The technology – Water-Trak – creates rainy-day conditions on the rail surface by spraying a small amount of water from the train onto the track when a slippery rail is detected.
While this might appear counter-intuitive, researchers discovered that leaf-coated rails only become slippery when damp, and that trains stop safely in heavy rain.
Rob Cummings, seasonal improvement manager at Northern, said:
“This is the next step in finding a solution to tricky autumn conditions. One of the biggest risks to our performance during October and November is leaves on the line, but by helping to develop new innovative technology we aim to deliver the very best service for our passengers.”
Two of Northern’s Class 319s fitted with Water-Trak have been successfully operating in passenger service since late October 2021. The trials with Northern are being run thanks to funding from Network Rail’s performance innovation fund.
John Cooke, co-founder at Water-Trak, said:
“We are really excited to be working with Northern to show how Water-Trak can help to solve the age-old problem of leaves on the line.”
Firefighters and councillors make calls to improve Starbeck crossingFirefighters and councillors have called on Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, to tackle the long-running issue of Starbeck crossing holding up emergency vehicles.
As many as nine trains an hour can pass through Starbeck Station heading to Leeds or York.
It means when the barriers are down there are waits of several minutes for all vehicles, including fire engines, police cars and ambulances.
At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting last night, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hookstone, Pat Marsh, asked Ms Metcalfe if she’d had feedback from firefighters about the problem as she believes delays could potentially be costing lives.
Cllr Marsh said:
“It worries me, that a five minute wait can be the difference between doing something and not.”
In response, Ms Metcalfe said the problem has been raised to her by both firefighters at Harrogate and Knaresborough fire stations.
However, she said firefighters “know exactly what times trains come and go” and can also use other routes to avoid the crossing.
Ms Metcalfe said:
“I went back to the fire service and they quite rightly said that out of Knaresborough fire station you can also turn left out of the fire station and go into Harrogate via Morrisons. They can also go into Starbeck and can turn right into Bogs Lane.
“There’s not just one way into Harrogate. Even if they did get to a crossing they can call ahead (to Network Rail) to let them know they are coming down.”
Read more:
Her response didn’t please fellow Conservative and councillor for Old Bilton, Paul Haslam, who also chairs Transport for the North‘s scrutiny committee.
Cllr Haslam told Ms Metcalfe he was “a little disappointed that you weren’t upset about the crossing at Starbeck”, particularly as it’s an issue that was raised to her by the firefighters themselves.
He added:
“I’ve tried for five or six years to get Network Rail to improve technology that would reduce waiting time to two minutes but they’ve refused to do it at the moment.
“I feel if your firemen had been upset that could have been leverage. I’m concerned about it for lots of reasons. The cars are just idling.
“Network Rail have told me all the reasons they can’t do it but they’ve also told me what technology they need.”
Ms Metcalfe promised Cllr Haslam that she would raise the issue with Network Rail.
64 homes at former Knaresborough factory set for approvalA 64-home development on the site of a former factory in Knaresborough has been recommended for approval.
Developer Countryside Properties has earmarked the former Trelleborg factory on Halfpenny Lane for the houses.
The site is not allocated for housing in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, which describes where development can take place. But it is included on the council’s Brownfield Land Register, which identifies locations considered to be appropriate for redevelopment for residential use.
The original proposal was for 77 dwellings. However, a group of mature trees on the site recently received tree preservation orders, which prompted the developer to reduce the number of homes. Twenty of them would be classed as ‘affordable’.
The site has been empty since 2016.
Read more:
The application faced an objection from Knaresborough Town Council, which said
“These houses are not needed, as sufficient house building is allocated elsewhere in the Local Plan and is being delivered.”
Network Rail also raised concerns about how close the homes will be to an operational railway crossing.
However, council officer Graham Smith backed the scheme, saying it would bring a derelict site back into use whilst boosting housing in the town.
He said:
“The proposal would contribute towards ensuring the district’s housing needs are met, including the provision of 20 affordable dwellings as well as properties that are designed to be accessible and adaptable.”
Councillors on Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee will consider the plans next Tuesday.
New Harrogate market and popular attractions hit by looming Storm EuniceA new market due to be held in Harrogate on Sunday has been cancelled as the district prepares for another storm.
Yellow weather warnings are in place for snow and wind in the Harrogate district tomorrow.
Real Food Markets, a community interest company that has organised a food market in Ilkley for six years, was due to host its first market in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens on Sunday.
But tomorrow’s impending arrival of Storm Eunice has prompted organisers to cancel it.
A statement from Real Food Markets said:
“We are sorry to announce that our market for February 290will not take place due to dangerous weather conditions.
“Our first Real Food Harrogate will therefore take place on March 20. We sincerely hope to see you there. 10-3pm, Crescent Gardens, Harrogate.”
Read more:
Network Rail is advising people not to travel by train in Yorkshire and the north-east tomorrow.
Matt Rice, north and east route director for Network Rail, said:
“We have extra workers out on the network at key locations, ready to react quickly to Storm Eunice and repair the railway wherever it’s safe to do so.”
RHS Harlow Carr announced on social media today that its gardens will be closed tomorrow.
Fountains Abbey said its deer park will close, along with higher paths in the water garden.
The Stray Ferret will bring you up to date with Storm Eunice developments tomorrow. Keep us informed with developments near you by emailing us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.