Traffic problems are expected this week when the principal route to and from two of the Harrogate district’s busiest business parks is closed for two days.
Between 7.30am and 5.30pm on Thursday and Friday, an eight-tenths of a mile section of Melmerby Green Lane, between the A61 and Barker Business Park, will be shut for carriageway repairs.
The daytime work on those days presents a huge headache for heavy goods vehicle drivers because the so-far un-signed detour route from both business parks will inevitably mean drivers will have to turn left towards the village of Melmerby on a road which has a 7.5 ton weight limit on it.
The weight limit sign on the approaches to Melmerby
HGV drivers making deliveries at both business parks were scratching their heads when the Stray Ferret visited. One said:
“I haven’t a clue where the diversion route will take me, but if I have to turn left and head towards Melmerby, the size of my lorry means I will have to break the weight limit.”
Another HGV driver said:
“This is a crazy situation, Thursdays and Fridays are two of the busiest days of the week for deliveries.
“Why couldn’t they have planned the roadworks at night, like they did with the work on the Ripon bypass bridge?”
North Yorkshire County Council’s highways team, says:
“Drivers will be able to follow a diversion route to avoid Melmerby Green Lane while the work is in progress and there will also be advance notifications on the A1.”
Within 100 yards of the Potter Space business park is the weight limit sign
NYCC’s highways area manager Melisa Burnham, said:
“We appreciate there will be some disruption involved and have done everything possible to minimise that, with a fully-signed diversion and advance warnings on the A1, particularly aimed at HGV drivers who may be heading to the business park.
“We are pleased to be carrying out work on Melmerby Green Lane and the road will be safer and better to use when it is complete.
More information is available on the roadworks map at www.northyorks.gov.uk/roadworks-map
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Ripon pub set to close this weekend
The Black A Moor Inn near Ripon is to close on Friday after six years under the current landlords.
The inn, based in Bridge Hewick, announced its impending closure on social media today.
In a Facebook post, it said:
“To all of our lovely supporters, it is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that we have made the very hard decision to close.
“We’ll be open for a few drinks on Friday evening at 7pm for a last hurrah and we hope to see as many of you as we can. We’ll be in contact with upcoming reservations over the next few days.
“Thank you to everyone for all your support over the last 6 years.
“Love from all of the team.”
The inn’s website is no longer live but on its social media, it describes itself as a “relaxed, family-run pub and restaurant”.
The inn also has five en-suite rooms and hosted functions.
The Stray Ferret has approached the inn for a comment but hadn’t received a reply by the time of publication.
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Harrogate district unemployment continues to fall
The number of people receiving out-of-work benefits in the Harrogate district has fallen again.
Latest monthly figures by the Office for National Statistics show 2,080 people were claiming the benefits on February 10, falling by 55 from January’s figure of 2,135.
The figure, however, remains considerably above pre-pandemic levels. In January 2020, 1,410 people claimed the benefits, which includes Universal Credit.
Universal Credit can also be claimed by people who are in work but on low incomes.
Across the UK, 4.3% of all adults are claiming the benefits. In the Harrogate district, it is 2.3%.
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In a boost for jobs in the district, a 600,000 square feet business park approved was approved last week by Harrogate Borough Council.
The business park will be called ‘Harrogate 47’ because it will be built at Flaxby close to junction 47 of the A1 (M). The developer Opus North believes it could support 2,000 jobs.
It is allocated as the main strategic employment site in the council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which identifies where development can take place.
Harrogate still a ‘top priority’ for bus improvements despite funding warningHarrogate will remain a top priority for bus service improvements, a council official has said despite warnings the region could be left with little or no funding from the government’s Bus Back Better scheme.
Michael Leah, assistant director for transport and environment at North Yorkshire County Council, told an executive meeting today it was “unlikely” the authority would receive all of the £116million it bid and there was a possibility it could get no funding at all.
This comes after the government wrote to councils in January highlighting how its £3billion budget to “transform” bus services had more than halved to £1.4billion.
Mr Leah told today’s meeting:
“The overall availability of funding has reduced and therefore expectation has dampened across the county.
“If we are to get a number, it will unlikely be £116million.”
Mr Leah explained that any funding received would be prioritised to areas where the county council believes it is needed the most, including Harrogate which has the worst traffic congestion in North Yorkshire.
Ripon and Masham also ‘high on list’ for support
He said the on-demand bus service, YorBus, which allows app users to book and track journeys in Ripon and Masham, would also be high on the list for financial support. He added:
“If we were to not get any funding, there are still parts of our enhanced partnerships scheme which we could see through, such as better bus timetable information and more coordinated work with operators.
“It’s not just about the money.”
The county council unveiled its Bus Service Improvement Plan in October with proposals for more bus lanes, cash support for existing and new services and a simpler ticketing system.
Crucially, the aim is for services to cover the whole of North Yorkshire – something which has been described as an “enormous challenge” for England’s largest county.
It is hoped these targets will be also met through so-called enhanced partnerships where the county council will agree to infrastructure improvements in return for better services from bus companies.
Electric buses
Separately, the county council has also bid for £8million of government cash to make all of Harrogate Bus Company’s fleet electric.
If successful, the company’s parent firm Transdev would contribute £11.5million towards the costs of buying 39 zero-emission buses.
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The different plans are all part of the overall aim to solve Harrogate’s congestion woes by encouraging people out of their cars and onto public transport.
But the scale of the challenge can be seen in figures which show just 6% of short commuting trips within Harrogate before the pandemic were on a bus – and that this was decreasing year-on-year.
And while Harrogate is the most populated area in North Yorkshire and is being seen as a priority for investment, the county council has been urged not to forget other parts of the county, particularly rural communities.
Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, responded to say improvements to rural bus services have formed the “backbone” of the Bus Service Improvement Plan:
Wheelchair lift installed at Ripon Arts Hub“There are huge challenges in providing affordable transport to a county as large as our own.
“But without question, one of the priorities we have is to improve bus services in rural areas, whether by traditional or more modern means as has been the case with YorBus.”
Accessibility to Ripon Arts Hub has been dramatically improved with the introduction of a wheelchair lift.
For David Suddards, this means that he can now watch performances at the hub’s downstairs studio theatre with his wife Josie.
Mr Suddards, a wheelchair user, played a key role in raising awareness of the need for access for disabled people at the Allhallowgate building
This in turn led to successful applications for funding, which enabled purchase of the £12,000 lift and its installation, plus another £2,000 for associated building works.
The wheelchair lift means that disabled people can access the hub’s downstairs theatre.
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The lift was officially opened by Mr Suddards, when he became its first passenger.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s great to know that I can come to enjoy performances here and accompany my wife. Up until now I hadn’t been able to attend the studio theatre and the same applied to other people in wheelchairs.”
The opening was attended by Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of Ripon Disability Forum and also a wheelchair user.
He said:
“I’m pleased to know that disabled people now have access to watching theatre and other performances at the Arts Hub.
“They have the same right as an able-bodied person to be given access to facilities in the city and if you provide access for people with disabilities, you also make a building more accessible for other people, such as parents with prams and pushchairs.”
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Hub committee member and fundraiser Hannah Ruddy said:
“Improving accessibility for visitors and performers was a top priority when we drew up plans to reconfigure the building, to turn it into a flexible space for use by all elements of the arts community, as well as other visitors.
“In addition to the lift, we have an accessible toilet on the ground floor and have widened doorways to the green room and studio which also helps people with impaired sight.
“Once we’ve raised more funds, the next stage is to introduce a toilet for people with access requirements on the lower ground floor.”
Proceeds from the sale of Ripon’s Spa Baths ‘must not go to Harrogate’
Ripon city councillors are determined that proceeds from the sale of Ripon Spa Baths must not go to the soon-to-be-defunct Harrogate Borough Council.
A ‘for sale’ sign remains in place at the baths, a listed building that was once the centrepiece of Ripon’s Edwardian spa quarter.
The baths permanently closed on November 7, four months before the delayed opening of Ripon’s new multi-million pound pool at Dallamires Lane.
The building was put on the market by Harrogate Borough Council after being deemed to be ‘surplus to requirements’.
Ripon councillors are adamant that money from the sale of Spa Baths should not go to Harrogate Borough Council.
Ripon City Council successfully applied for the building to be listed as an asset of community value — which means the community has six months to formulate a bid to buy it.
At the same time, Harrogate Borough Council, which will be abolished in 13 months, has selected an unnamed preferred bidder to take on the building.
The city council has continued to meet with the preferred developer to discuss the site’s future use.
It said the two parties have held ‘constructive discussions’ designed to maintain community use at the site as part of wider redevelopment proposals.
Independent Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams received unanimous support from members at last week’s full council meeting for a proposal to appoint consultants, who will advise the council on progressing the ACV application.
He said:
“The developer has said that they are happy to work in partnership with us and, this being the case, there is no reason why Harrogate Borough Council, which is in its dying embers, should receive any money from sale of the building.
“Ripon did not receive a single penny from Harrogate when it took over Spa Baths and other city assets in 1974 so it’s reasonable to expect the borough council to return the properties at no cost to the city council.”
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The return of assets
Ripon, along with other parish and town councils that became part of the Harrogate district in 1974, have been seeking the transfer back of assets ranging from halls to market squares.
However, a notice of motion to this effect presented at February’s full Harrogate Borough Council meeting by Ripon independent councillor Pauline McHardy was defeated after a stormy debate by the Conservative-controlled authority.
At that meeting, Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper said the motion “simply isn’t legal’”.
He said that the borough council itself can not produce takeover plans for its own buildings to be run by local councils.
At the meeting, Cllr Cooper expressed doubts about the ability of town and parish councils to manage and operate assets, but added Harrogate Borough Council was:
“Seeking to get better services for residents run from these assets is where we should be focusing.
“If parishes can do it better and put together a delivery plan – great.
“I wish them all well and good luck in managing those services from parish, city and town councils. But what I am seeking to do is make sure they get control of assets and run great services from them legally, quickly and sensibly.”
Ripon responds to desperate plight of Ukraine people
Reminders of the desperate plight of the embattled people of Ukraine have been evident across Ripon in recent days.
From the Rotary Club of Ripon collection at a bustling Market Place, to the contemplative silence of churches, there have been opportunities for residents to provide financial support, pray, or both.
On Rotary Way, customers at the Marks & Spencer food store are being invited to make a donation when they pay for their shopping. Similar collections are being held at other Ripon shops and businesses
Further down Rotary Way, an iconic image from another war provides a simple and moving message of support for passing motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The silhouette of the First World War soldier and his sweetheart has had the blue and yellow ribbons of Ukraine added along with a posy of flowers of the same colours.
The Our Lady of Fountains Altar at St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church, where The Pope’s prayer for peace can be seen
Prayers were said at churches of all denominations in the city and surrounding area yesterday and will continue throughout the week.
At St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church on Coltsgate Hill, the altar of Our Lady of Fountains is decked in yellow and blue. The altar also displays the prayer for peace of Pope Francis.
The altar was bequeathed to the church by the family of the 1st Marquess of Ripon, a man known for his kindness and compassion, who died in 1909.
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin and his consort Nigel Guy (right), are pictured with Ali Edwards (centre) her partner Lizzie, and some of the 40-plus people who attended the fundraising event
Ripon’s Lewis Edwards, who escaped Kyiv late last month with his Ukrainian partner Tanya Bogdanovska and is now in Slovakia, spoke via his mobile phone to family, friends and supporters gathered at a fundraising event held at the Magdalens pub on Saturday evening.
Mr Edwards told attendees at the packed venue, how former Harrogate soldier Mike Heelan had arrived safely in Slovakia to lend an extra experienced pair of hands to the 10-strong team, which is helping refugees seeking sanctuary in countries across Europe.
The event, hosted by the pub’s owners, the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin and his consort Nigel Guy, raised more than £1,300, which be will added to £16,000-plus already raised through donations to the gofundme page set up by Mr Edwards’ family.
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A Ripon man is to auction 255 signed bottles of whisky to raise money for Falklands veterans.
Next month marks the 40th anniversary of the start of the 10-week war, which claimed the lives of 255 British military personnel.
Simon Mercer, whose family has strong military connections, came up with the idea after a chance encounter with Nigel Phillips, the current Governor of the Falkland Islands, on a flight to the British overseas territory in 2018.
Each bottle has been numbered and signed by Mr Phillips and Major General Julian Thompson, who led 3 Commando Brigade during the conflict with Argentina.
Many bottles have been additionally signed on the front label by Falklands veterans including Sara Jones, widow of Lt. Col. H Jones, who posthumously received the Victoria Cross after being killed in action during the Battle of Goose Green in May 1982.
Each signatory served their country with extraordinary bravery on land, at sea and in the air.
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The cask-strength 53.5%, 13-year-old Glen Moray whisky will be auctioned online by Scotch Whisky Auctions, which has waived its usual fees.
Each bottle is signed by Nigel Phillips and Major General Julian Thompson, who led 3 Commando Brigade.
The auction will take place from April 1 to 10 to coincide with the anniversary of the start of the war on April 2, 1982.
All of the profits will be donated equally between the charities Falklands Veterans Foundation and South Atlantic Medal Association 82.
Mr Mercer said the project had become a “labour of love” during lockdowns.
He said the Ukraine war highlighted the need to look after veterans.
“I believe we must give back to life. We can’t just take. I’ve done all sorts of successful fundraisers with Ripon Cathedral as a trustee but I never go to church. It’s just a nice building worth preserving and each generation has a duty.
“Supporting our armed services has never been more important than it is today. The Falklands was the last legal war and we have a duty of care to support those who served. I’m just doing my bit.”
Ripon Runners race to Lightwater 10k success
Ripon Runners made up for lost time when the Lightwater Valley 10k returned at the weekend after two years off because of covid.
Ted Leahy completed the testing course in 35 minutes and 43 seconds to win the men’s open race, 19 seconds ahead of Ripon Runners clubmate Jamie Baker.
Jamie was outright second in the race and also won the men’s seniors event in a time of 36.02, almost five and a half minutes ahead of the second-placed senior runner.
Ted Leahy, winner of the men’s race and Emily Abbey, who won the women’s race
Other winners from the club, included Ian Harrison in the male veterans 40 race and Lenny Lennox who was the first male veteran over 60 to cross the finishing line.
The outright winner of the women’s race was Emily Abbey of Swaledale Runners in a time of 44 minutes and.37 seconds.
Morag McDowall and Lucy Philpott capped an outstanding day for Ripon Runners by winning the female veterans 55-years old and female veterans seniors categories respectively.
A total of 136 runners completed the race and many more, including junior runners, took part in the 3k event.
The other winner was North Stainley Primary School, which raised much-needed funds from the entry fees paid by runners.
The annual race, over an undulating multi-terrain route, is organised by the charity Friends of North Stainley School and covers a course that passes through the Lightwater estate and the surrounding countryside.
Money raised contributes towards the cost of school trips, technology for pupils, music lessons and sporting activities.
North Stainley Primary School opened in 1871 and is still based in its original building, close to the village church of St Mary’s.
All photographs provided by Tyler Parker Photography.
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The government has rejected plans to build new townhouses and apartments in Ripon city centre.
Spinksburn Ltd had tabled a plan in November 2019 to build four apartments and four townhouses on land off North Street in the city.
The site, which used to be retail units, was demolished to make way for Marshall Way and has remained undeveloped since.
The work include the partial removal of buttress on a Grade-II listed building to join the two buildings.
However, the developer lodged an appeal in August 2021 to the government’s Planning Inspectorate after Harrogate Borough Council had failed to make a decision on the proposal two years later.
In a letter written by the developer’s lawyer said:
“Our client has therefore instructed us to submit the appeals for non-determination because the council does not appear to have the resources to be able to determine the applications and there appears to be no end in sight.
“My client is extremely concerned that determination of the applications is being allowed to drift and there are no means by which to secure the determination of the applications besides the appeal process if the council does not have the necessary resources.”
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However, Fiona Cullen, the planning inspector who oversaw the appeal, has decided to reject the proposal.
In a decision notice, Ms Cullen said she was “unable not conclude” that the proposal “would preserve the special interest of the listed building”.
She said:
“I am mindful of the key role played by the delivery of housing in achieving sustainable development and recognise the Government’s objectives to boost the housing supply and grow the economy. I also note the framework’s support for housing and the efficient use of land.
“However, the framework is clear in stating that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource, and should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations.”
Ms Cullen added:
“Whilst there are considerations that weigh in favour of the proposal, in my judgement, they are not sufficient to outweigh the harm I have found.”