State of roads in Ripon comes under spotlight

Independent Ripon councillors have accused North Yorkshire County Council of getting its road repairs priorities wrong.

They have asked the highway authority to explain the rationale behind resurfacing rural lay-bys instead of repairing city centre roads.

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:

“Along a 16-mile stretch of road between Hawes and Leyburn, lay-bys have been re-surfaced to a very high standard, while many roads in Ripon are in desperate need of major work.

Pictured above is one of the recently re-surfaced lay-bys on the A684 Hawes to Leyburn Road and below is a section of Market Place East in Ripon

Barrie Mason, North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for highways and transportation, said:

 “The improvement work to lay-bys is funded by the government’s Safer Roads Fund, which has the aim of reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads.

“The Safer Roads Fund can only be used on certain roads within the county which meet the strict government criteria and is not to be used for routine maintenance.

“We have a comprehensive programme of planned maintenance schemes based on annual surveys of the whole road network that has produced a long-term trend of improving road condition.

“Ripon Market Place is being considered for future funding within our forward programme for 2022/23.

“A number of the areas of most concern are associated with poorly performing utility reinstatements and we are seeking urgent action on these from the companies concerned.”

Cllr Pauline McHardy said:

“We want all roads in the county to be safe and it is my view that the four roads around Market Place and other parts of the city centre are a danger to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, because of the state they are in.”

Her fellow city and Harrogate district council colleague, Sid Hawke, added:

“We keep asking for proper repairs to be done and while we wait, the road surfaces get worse and worse by the day.”

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For next year, Ripon is planning a major programme of events to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

Mayor of Ripon, Cllr Eamon Parkin, said:

“I just hope that the roads in and around the city centre have been fixed by then.”

 

 

Pateley Bridge leaking drain causing safety risk, says resident

A Pateley Bridge resident has raised safety concerns about pedestrians being forced to cross the road to avoid excess water.

A drain on Ripon Road, near the town’s Methodist church, has been leaking water through a stone wall for a “long, long time”, according to resident Mike Clark.

The water flows through the wall and on to the pavement, forcing pedestrians to cross the road onto a narrow pavement opposite to avoid being splashed by cars or walking through the water.

The problem is worse at times of heavy rainfall.

Mr Clark has notified his local councillor but has been told it will take time to resolve due to the number of organisations concerned.

He said:

“The issue got worse over the winter, its become really quite severe. It’s still pouring now even when it’s not raining. I was speaking to someone yesterday who’s mother daren’t come out when it’s wet because she doesn’t want to have to cross the road. It really needs sorting.”

Pateley Bridge drain

Mr Clark says the water travels 150 metres down the road.

Mr Clark walks past the wall daily and says it isn’t getting any better. He says the water pours on to the path and flows 150 metres to a drain outside a butcher’s shop on the High Street.

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A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We are looking in to the water leak in Pateley Bridge to determine who is responsible for the land.”

It added it would continue investigating further but couldn’t give a timeframe for when the issue will be resolved.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning everyone and welcome back. Traffic is getting busier on the district’s roads now so make sure to keep and eye on our morning blogs.

It’s Connor here with you bright and early this morning, please get in touch with me via social media or email me at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

This blog, brought to you by The HACS Group, brings you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near you.

9am – Full Update

That’s all from me this morning. The roads are definitely much more busy than they were a few weeks ago. So stay on top of the delays by following this live blog and help keep us updated by sending any news to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

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The roads are becoming quite busy this morning with traffic hot spots on these roads across the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

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8.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming quite busy this morning with traffic hot spots on these roads across the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

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8.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming quite busy this morning with traffic hot spots on these roads across the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

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Buses

8.15am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming quite busy this morning with traffic hot spots on these roads across the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming quite busy this morning with traffic hot spots on these roads across the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

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Buses

7.45am – Full Update

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The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

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7.30am – Full Update

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The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

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7.15am – Full Update

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The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

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7am – Full Update

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The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

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6.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

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6.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

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Buses

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and happy Friday. Welcome back to our traffic and travel service to help the Harrogate district keep moving.

Whether you travel by car, bus or train we will keep an eye out for any possible disruption to your journey.

It’s Connor again back on the travel desk from 6.30am. Spotted an accident or a road closure? Send your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

If traffic is moving well or it’s at a standstill then we will let you know with our updates every 15 minutes.

Full update – 9am

Thanks again for your interest in the traffic and travel live blog. My colleague Suzannah will pick it up first thing on Monday morning so come back at 6.30am then.

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Full update – 8.45am

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Full update – 8.30am

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Full update – 8.15am

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Full update – 8am

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Full update – 7.45am

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https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1362667270812631042

Full update – 7.30am

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Full update – 7.15am

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Full update – 7am

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Full update – 6.45am

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Full update – 6.30am

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Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel updates

Good morning everyone and welcome back to our traffic and travel service for the Harrogate district.

Whether you travel by car, bus or train we will keep an eye out for any possible disruption to your journey.

It’s Connor again back on the travel desk from 6.30am. Spotted an accident or a road closure? Send your updates to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

If traffic is moving well or it’s at a standstill then we will let you know with our updates every 15 minutes.

Full update – 9am

Thanks to everyone who has been getting involved with this new traffic and travel service. Good to read that people are finding it helpful. I am moving over to the news desk now but will be back with renewed vigour tomorrow morning at 6.30am. Connor.

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Full update – 8.45am

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Full update – 8.30am

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Full update – 8.15am

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Full update – 8am

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Full update – 7.45am

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Full update – 7.30am

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Full update – 7.15am

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Full update – 7am

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Full update – 6.45am

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Full update – 6.30am

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Police to challenge rule breakers on Harrogate district roads and beauty spots

North Yorkshire Police has said it will challenge lockdown rule breakers on the Harrogate district’s roads and beauty spots.

Superintendent Mike Walker, the force’s lead for coronavirus, today set out the countywide policing strategy for the third national lockdown.

He said police presence and visibility would increase to “reassure” people, and anyone caught breaking the rules would be challenged and possibly fined up to £200.

Read more:

Supt Walker said:

“Under these new regulations, if you are outside of your home without a reasonable excuse, or gathering indoors or outdoors with others, the police can take enforcement action against you and you can be fined up to £200.

“I would also stress that it is important to stay as close to home as possible. While exercise is permitted, this should be done in your local area, preferably from your doorstep.

“The new restrictions have been put in place to limit people’s movements in order to suppress the spread of a deadly virus. If you travel further than is essential, you are putting yourself and those communities you visit at risk of contracting this virus.

“Our health service is at a crucial point and as a nation we face a very serious situation, so it’s vital that we stick to the rules and stop the spread of the virus.”

 

Treacherous roads in Harrogate district after heavy snowfall

Heavy snowfall overnight has caused treacherous driving conditions on major roads in the Harrogate district this morning.

Many areas woke up to a blanket of snow and ice, causing severe problems, especially in rural areas.

The North Yorkshire Weather Updates social media page showed dire conditions in Boroughbridge, with heavy snow covering streets.

Video by Carly Gibson

The same page also reported large vehicles were struggling to get up the hill on the A59 at Kex Gill due to hazardous road conditions. However by 9am the road appeared to be clear.

North Yorkshire Police warned people to drive carefully due to conditions on the A61 between Ripon and Harrogate.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, on which days it had gritted the roads since Christmas Day and what its policy is on deciding when to use gritters,

We had not received a response by the time of publication but the council has tweeted this morning that its gritting crews are on call 24 hours a day from October to April and are treating roads.

A similar tweet was posted on Christmas Day but nothing on travel since despite snow and flooding causing problems in the district.

Read more:

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for snow and ice yesterday and warned that up to four inches of snow could fall over the Pennines and North York Moors.

The outlook in the district looks set to improve throughout today with light cloud throughout the afternoon into the evening.

However, temperatures are forecast to drop below zero again overnight.

Over 20 arrests made on district roads last weekend

The police made 20 arrests over a single weekend on roads around Harrogate, Knaresborough and Skipton as part of a campaign to tackle drink driving.

The highest reading of the weekend was 144ug/100ml – over four times the legal limit – by a women from the Knaresborough area driving in York.

Operation Attention follows a summertime peak in drink driving. The efforts by the police are to put on a “show of force” to deter drink or drug drivers and catch offenders.

A total of 23 arrests were made between August 14 to 17. Out of those arrests, 10 were found to be over the legal alcohol limit – 35ug per 100ml of breath.

Other offences included speeding, with one driver caught driving at 80mph within a 30mph zone.

Traffic Sergeant Andy Morton from the Road Policing Group said:

“The results send a clear message that if people choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and break the law, there are consequences to your actions and officers will catch you. We are here to protect the public’s safety on the roads of North Yorkshire and by catching these people. The local community can be confident that these drivers will pay the price by being given lengthy bans, significant fines and even prison sentences.”

Read more:

Last weekend’s operation involved specialist road policing officers, special constables and local policing teams and more than 50 drivers were stopped.

The operation has ran from July 13 to August 16, a total of 171 people have been arrested for drink and drug drive offences across North Yorkshire.