The landlord of the Squinting Cat pub in Harrogate has spoken out against the controversial road closure of Whinney Lane — which could now last until June 30.
The road was initially closed in July 2020 due to the construction of access points for two new housing developments as well as a new roundabout.
North Yorkshire County Council had told residents the road would be back open by February 28 this year. However, this was put back until April with the county council blaming snow for the delay.
NYCC now says the works will not be completed until June 30. A spokesperson did not give a reason for the delay.
Andy Harrison, landlord of the Squinting Cat which is on Whinney Lane, said he had not been informed of the road closure being extended until being told about it by the Stray Ferret.
He called the nearly 12-month long closure “just ridiculous” and said it will have an impact on the pub’s trade.
He said:
“You can’t budge them and they do what they want. I’ve given up.
“It will affect us massively but nobody cares.”
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After being asked when Whinney Lane will reopen, a North Yorkshire County Council spokesperson said:
“Whinney Lane is currently closed due to the construction of two site accesses and a new roundabout for developments of new housing estates by Stonebridge Homes (130 dwellings), Mulgrave Properties (40 dwellings).
“These works are due to be completed by June 27. In addition, Yorkshire Water is doing works at the other end of Whinney Lane and are due to be completed June 30.”
A spokesperson for Mulgrave Properties said its works within the highway was completed “some time ago.”
The Stray Ferret also contacted Stonebridge Homes for a response but we did not receive one by the time of publication.
Whinney Lane lights ‘like Leeds Bradford Airport runway’Residents on Whinney Lane have said lights used to brighten a temporary footpath at night are so intense they are like “a Leeds Bradford airport runway”.
Whinney Lane in Pannal Ash is closed to traffic until February 28 while work on the 130-home Castle Hill Farm housing development is carried out.
A temporary footpath has been created through a field that bypasses most of Whinney Lane.
The Squinting Cat pub requested developer Stonebridge Homes installed lights on the footpath to make it safer for people walking to-and-from the pub at night.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said the lights have been in operation since Monday. He praised Stonebridge for installing them but said the brightness was “totally over the top”.
He said the lights were good for safety but added:
“It’s lit the footpath up but it’s also lit our bedroom up. I’ve had enough of it.”
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Another resident Mike Newall, who is a former pilot, said the lights reminded him of his flying days. He welcomed them being installed but described the brightness as “overkill”.
North Yorkshire County Council said it had not received any complaints from residents about the lights.
The Stray Ferret contacted Stonebridge about the brightness but had not received a response at the time of publication.
The seven-month-long Whinney Lane road closure “could kill” the Squinting Cat pub, says its manager.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Andy Harrison said he is “absolutely mortified” that the main road to the pub from Harrogate will be closed for seven months – just as it attempts to recover from lockdown.
North Yorkshire County Council announced that a section of Whinney Lane will be closed to traffic from Monday, July 27 to February 28 2021, due to the construction of two site access points for the Castle Hill Farm housing development as well as a new roundabout.
The closure will end around 200m before the Squinting Cat. Mr Harrison said it will have major implications as most people driving to the pub use Whinney Lane rather than the longer route through Burn Bridge.
He added the road closure will be a major blow after reopening following lockdown on July 6 and questioned whether NYCC could offer the pub financial compensation.
He said:
“We’ve struggled. Trade is hard anyway and with the road closure I don’t know if we can sustain it”.
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Local residents told the Stray Ferret that the closure of Whinney Lane will be the start of years of disruption due to the different housing developments planned for the area.
One resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said she has seen construction vehicles blocking the lane for residents who use it to exercise. She said “it’s like a takeover”.
Another resident, David Siddans, said he is expecting further closures when more homes are built on the adjacent field of Whinney Lane.
Nigel Smith, head of highway operations at NYCC told the Stray Ferret that they hope works can be completed ahead of schedule and that there will be a temporary footpath installed for pedestrians.
However, he said the authority would not be able to provide any compensation to the Squinting Cat.
He said:
“We understand the inconvenience the closure will cause however these are essential and unavoidable works associated with the development.
“A signed diversion will be in place and pedestrian access has been agreed with the landowner, providing a temporary footpath to houses and businesses.
“We understand the concerns that businesses have regarding trade during any road closure. However, there is no statutory provision for compensation by the Highway Authority for businesses affected by essential roadworks.
“If a business is concerned about a road closure please get in touch with their local highways office, but regretfully we are unable to make any offer of compensation due to the temporary disruption of traffic flow in this area. That said, local access to residences and The Squinting Cat will be maintained where possible.”