North Yorkshire Council urged to fine utility firms over roadworks

Utility firms should be fined for failing to complete planned maintenance on time and for shoddy work to repair roads, councillors have claimed.

A North Yorkshire Council meeting heard senior council officers were examining whether utility firms could be fined from the day their repairs failed to when they were put right amid escalating frustration being expressed by residents and other businesses.

The authority’s Richmond constituency committee was told Yorkshire Water had rejected a request for its senior managers to appear before the committee to explain why its planned works in the Upper Dales market town of Hawes had sparked traffic chaos in May.

The move comes as Northern Gas Network recently pushed back its completion date for roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road.

Three-way lights were in operation close to the junction with Sykes Grove for more than a month to enable Northern Gas Networks to replace metal pipes with plastic pipes.

Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons said firms across the county were seeing utility companies repeatedly disrupting their business by failing to properly repair roads after cable and pipe-laying works and then taking years to rectify poor quality work.

Yorkshire Water had, the committee heard, given assurances it was examining the issue in Hawes and that regular meetings between the council and the water firm were set to take place to prevent a recurrence of the Hawes incident.

Councillors heard a number of actions, such as improving its communications and taking on board local residents’ views, had been agreed by the firm.

The committee’s chair, Cllr Yvonne Peacock, said although she had initially wanted the firm to face questions from elected representatives, Yorkshire Water’s refusal to do so had led to “possibly a better outcome”, as the firm was now working with the council’s officers on a range of schemes.

The Upper Dales councillor added: 

“We don’t want a diversion taking us a round trip of 90 miles just because you’ve got a hole in the ground.”

Councillors said while most of the utility companies were not acting responsibly, Northumbrian Water had recently set an example by working with the authority to avert unnecessary traffic issues.

Cllr Heather Moorhouse, who represents Great Ayton, added: 

“If we increased the fines by the minute I think we might get a very different action. That they can just clear off on a Friday of a bank holiday weekend and leave a gap in the road.

“Emergency works is one thing, but planned maintenance is another. They make a lot of money. We should start charging them as the police do.”


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Delayed finish to roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road

The completion date for roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road has been pushed back until Wednesday next week.

Three-way lights have been in operation close to the junction with Sykes Grove for more than a month to enable Northern Gas Networks to replace metal pipes with plastic pipes.

The work on one of the town’s busiest traffic spots was due to have finished on Friday last week.

But Northern Gas Networks, which is the company responsible for distributing gas to homes, is now expected to be on site for another five days.

The roadworks on Skipton Road.

Mark Mawhood, site manager at Northern Gas Networks said:

“I can confirm that we are now in the final stages of the engineering work on Skipton Road, Harrogate.

“Completion is planned for Sunday, September 3.

“We have already begun the reinstatement work, but as this scheme has been extensive, the work will be finished by Wednesday, September 6. The necessary time extensions required to complete the work have all be approved by North Yorkshire Council.”

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we appreciate the public bearing with us while we complete the works safely whilst also managing any unforeseen issues that have arisen once engineering work began.”

Mr Mawhood did not say why the scheme had been delayed.

Scott Kitchingman, operations manager at Northern Gas Networks, previously said the work would “ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers now while getting the network ready to transport alternative greener fuels in the future”.


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New roadworks revealed for Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon

Details of upcoming roadworks for Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon have been revealed.

Cllr Paul Haslam, a Conservative who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on North Yorkshire Council, posted details of scheduled resurfacing schemes on his Facebook page.

The information is set out below with details of where and when each scheme will take place and the accompanying plan to manage traffic.

North Park Road, Harrogate

Monday, August 21 to Friday, September 1 (7pm to midnight)

21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th 29th – traffic management – combination of two-way lights and road closure during working hours

23rd, 30th, 31st and 1st Sep – traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained

A61 Leeds Rd, Harrogate

(Prince of Wales roundabout to St Georges Rd roundabout)

Monday, August 29 to Friday, September 15 (7pm to midnight)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained

A658 Harrogate Road, Harrogate

Thursday, September 14 to Friday, September 22 (9pm to 5am)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained.

High Bridge, Knaresborough

Wednesday, September 20 to Friday. September 29 (7pm to midnight)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained

B6163 Briggate, Knaresborough

Friday, September 29 to Monday, October 9 (7.30am to 5.30pm)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained

Dragon Road area, Harrogate

(Dragon Rd / Back of Dragon Rd / Dragon Terrace / Rear of Dragon Terrace / Dragon Ave / Dragon Parade, Mornington Terrace / Mornington Terrace)

Monday, October 9 to Wednesday, October 11 (7.30am to 5.30pm)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained

Coppice Way, Harrogate

Thursday, October 12 to Wednesday, October 18 (7.30am to 5.30pm)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained

Harewood Road, Harrogate

Thursday, October 19 to Friday, October 20 (7.30am to 5.30pm)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained


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Priest Lane, Ripon

Monday, October 23 to Tuesday October 31 (7.30am to 5.30pm)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained

A61 Dallamires Lane, Ripon

Monday, October 30 to Friday, November 3 (7pm to midnight)

Traffic management – road closure during working hours. Access for residents will be maintained

 

Major Harrogate road set to close each evening for three weeks

A major road through Harrogate is set to be closed for patch resurfacing at the end of this month.

A section of the A61 Leeds Road will be closed for five hours from 6.30pm every day for three weeks from Tuesday, August 29.

It is to allow for patching up damaged parts of the carriageway, between the Prince of Wales roundabout and the St George’s roundabout.

Confirming the closure, which its roadworks map said will last until September 18, North Yorkshire Council said:

“Patching takes place to repair the road surface, it involves removing a part of the surface around a pothole or defective surface course and placing a new patch of road surface.

“This is a cost-effective method to repair damage when a small area is affected and precedes surface dressing.”

Signs for roadworks on Leeds Road

Meanwhile, two new sets of roadworks in Harrogate are expected to be removed by the weekend.

Yorkshire Water has this week installed temporary lights on Otley Road at the junction with Cold Bath Road and Arthurs Avenue.

The roadworks, which include temporary pedestrian crossing signals, are expected to be completed tomorrow.

Roadworks by Yorkshire Water on Otley RoadRoadworks on Otley Road

And a stretch of Yorkshire Water works on Leadhall Lane, close to the junction with Throstle Nest Drive, is also expected to be removed by Friday.

Works that Northern Gas Networks began on Duchy Road on Monday, however, are expected to last until August 25.

Temporary traffic lights that have been causing long queues on Skipton Road are due to end on the same date. However, further works are expected to be carried out on the road, close to the junction with Bilton Lane, in September.


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Roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Road due to last another 24 days

The latest round of roadworks on Harrogate’s Skipton Roads is due to continue for more than three weeks.

Three-way lights are in operation close to the junction with Sykes Grove.

Although the work is taking place during the school holidays, when the road is less busy, it is still causing delays on one of Harrogate’s main roads.

Three-way lights are in place.

Northern Gas Networks, which is responsible for distributing gas to homes and businesses, is replacing metal pipes with plastic pipes.

Scott Kitchingman, operations manager at Northern Gas Networks, said:

“We have been carrying out essential work to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in the Skipton Road area of Harrogate and we are now on the final section of the road. We are scheduled to complete on August 25.

“The ageing metal pipework is being replaced by new, more durable plastic pipes, to ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers now while getting the network ready to transport alternative greener fuels in the future.

The view heading towards New Park roundabout.

Mr Kitchingman added:

“So that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect the public, some traffic management measures are in place. We have multiway lights and a lane closure for the duration of the work.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused; we are however working on Saturdays to try to get the work done as quickly as possible.”


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Traffic delays on the A61 through Killinghall and Ripley

Drivers have been hit by significant traffic delays through Killinghall on the A61 today as new roadworks have been put in place.

Work has started on the A61 Ripon Road between Ripley and Killinghall.

One Stray Ferret reader contacted us to say they’d left Markington for Harrogate at 12.30pm and had only got as far as the second roundabout in Ripley where the works just over an hour later.

Drivers have also reported being stuck in long queues through Killinghall.

According to OneNetwork roadworks map, temporary traffic lights are in place as Quickline Communications, which is a broadband company, carries out “utility asset works” at Ripley roundabout.

This is due to remain in place until Wednesday, July 26.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area due to long queues.

Meanwhile, queuing traffic has also been reported at New Park roundabout in Harrogate.

According to the roadworks map, Northern Gas Networks has started repair work on Skipton Road near to New Park Academy. Temporary traffic lights are expected to be in place until August 25.


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Harewood Bridge to be closed for four weeks from this week

Harewood Bridge near Harrogate will be closed on Wednesday for four weeks.

The bridge will close at 7am on July 26 until 6am on August 24 for essential maintenance work to be carried out.

The grade-II listed structure carries the A61 Harrogate Road over the River Wharfe and is a busy route between Harrogate and Leeds.

Leeds City Council is set to close the bridge in order for waterproofing, resurfacing and footpath repair works to be carried out.

The footway across the bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists throughout the work.

Advanced signs for the closure will be in place before the bridge is shut.

Cllr Helen Hayden, the council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said previously:

“Harewood Bridge is a strategic vehicle crossing used by thousands of people each day and therefore to close it requires careful planning. By carrying out the repair works during the school summer holidays we can hopefully limit the disruption with expected lower traffic levels.”


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A diversion route will be in place during the work from Otley Road, Arthington Lane, Main Street, Pool Bridge, Harrogate Road, Swindon Lane and onto Harrogate Road. 

The same route will be in place in the opposite direction.

Reduced speed limit at A59 Kex Gill to remain until September

A reduced speed limit on the A59 at Kex Gill is set to remain in place until September due to an “uneven road surface”.

North Yorkshire Council has introduced the reduction which sees the speed limit lowered from 60 to 40 miles per hour.

Officials at the authority said the measure had been implemented due to the stretch of Kex Gill Road being uneven.

It added that the speed limit reduction will remain in place until September when the road will be closed for two weeks and resurfaced.

Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transport at the council, said:

“We have introduced a 40mph speed limit on a section of the existing A59 at Kex Gill due to the uneven road surface. This will only be in place until we carry out a resurfacing scheme.

“A start date is yet to be confirmed but we anticipate early September, lasting for two weeks under full road closures with signed diversions in place. We will notify the public in due course.”


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Roadwork misery on Ripon Road due to end tomorrow

Roadworks that have caused over a week of long tailbacks in the north of Harrogate will be completed tomorrow, ahead of schedule, the utility company responsible has said. 

Works at the junction of Ripon Road and Coppice Drive started on June 19 and reduced one of the town’s main arterial roads to a trickle of traffic, moving in one direction at a time and directed by temporary three-way traffic lights — causing misery for motorists. 

Northern Gas Networks said they were “part of our essential works programme to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers”, but added that the road would be cleared for two-way traffic on Thursday. 

Mark Mawhood, operations manager at NGN, told the Stray Ferret today:  

“Upon starting the work, we realised that there were some unforeseen engineering difficulties and we therefore sought an extension to complete the works until July 7. We are pleased, however, that, using a different technique, work has finished today. The filling in of holes and laying tarmac will be completed tomorrow and then all traffic management will be removed. 

“Once again, apologies for any inconvenience caused and bearing with us. Safety is our first priority and works can sometimes take longer than anticipated depending on any problems that may arise. We have been working closely with North Yorkshire Council throughout the process and keeping them informed of our developments.” 


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Road closure continues after gas pipe problem found in Knaresborough

A diversion in Knaresborough is set to remain in place until Monday after a problem was discovered with a sewage pipe.

Yorkshire Water closed Halfpenny Lane to deal with a pipe under the surface, and had planned to reopen it yesterday.

However, the work has taken longer than expected and the diversion via Boroughbridge Road and Chain Lane remains in place. A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:

“Unfortunately, the works on Halfpenny Lane have been delayed after we found other utilities networks in the excavation, which prevented us from completing the work safely.

“Northern Gas Networks and Northern Powergrid have been to the site to assist with their networks and carry out work to enable our teams to complete our repairs safely. We have worked closely with local council highways teams to keep disruption to a minimum and are working hard to finish the work and reopen the road as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson said the excavations revealed a gas pipe had been placed through the top of the sewage pipe.

Until the gas pipe can be moved, the hole will be filled in. Once the gas repairs have been carried out at a date to be confirmed, Yorkshire Water will return to complete the work to the sewage pipe, which is still operational.


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Meanwhile, temporary traffic lights on Boroughbridge Road have been adding to traffic problems in the area.

They are linked to a new housing development and have been in place since mid-March.

While they are due to end tomorrow, a further day of works for fibre broadband is expected to hit the road near Greengate Lane on Sunday, along with two days of resurfacing work from Tuesday morning. Both will involve temporary traffic lights.

The traffic problems caused by extensive roadworks in the area have led some residents to question why so many restrictions were allowed to be put in place at the same time.

North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, said:

The roadworks on the A6055 have been in place for a number of weeks and are developer works as part of a new housing development and are due to be completed on Friday (June 16).

“The nearby Yorkshire Water works are emergency repairs due to a collapsed sewerage pipe that needed to be fixed immediately.

“We could not have foreseen that there would emergency works ongoing when the permit was issued for the resurfacing works on the A6055.

“We appreciate that roadworks near each other create additional delays for road users, but once the developer works are completed, it will ease the situation until Yorkshire Water can complete its emergency repairs.”