Residents say a one-way traffic system in an area in Harrogate where 650 new homes are proposed will lead to “horrendous” congestion on nearby streets.
Persimmon Homes and North Yorkshire County Council have sent consultation documents to local residents about the proposed scheme, which would stop traffic entering Kingsley Drive or Wreaks Road from Kingsley Road, near to Harrogate High School.
Persimmon said this will stop the two roads being used as rat runs.
However, residents say the one-way system will add to congestion on Kingsley Road and nearby Knaresborough Road and also suggest it is being proposed to move traffic away from a separate application from Persimmon on Kingsley Drive for 244 homes, which is yet to be granted planning permission.
A document that has been sent to residents from Persimmon Homes
John Hansard from the Kingsley Residents Action Group told The Stray Ferret that local residents “vehemently” opposed the proposal.
He said:
“It will create huge traffic jams on Kingsley Drive. It will be awful, it will be horrendous and it’s angered people in the area.”
Read more:
A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes said:
“As part of our Section 106 planning obligation we are currently undertaking a consultation at our Kingsley Park development, on Kingsley Drive, to gauge local opinion on potential highway improvement schemes. Any decision on the one-way system will be made by North Yorkshire Highways.
“The outcome of the consultation, will determine if North Yorkshire Highways will progress the proposals further, should this be the case then a second, and more formal public consultation, will be completed.”
Last month, councillors refused 149 new homes on Kingsley Road because they said it would make already clogged roads in the area even worse.
Housing developer Richborough Estates faced a grilling from councillors who were not happy that the development was a 1km walk to the nearest bus stop. Cllr Pat Marsh called the traffic implications for the development “wrong, very wrong”.