Starbeck railway signaller carries on centuries old tradition

Network Rail signaller Ian Roberton is carrying on a Starbeck tradition that dates back to when Queen Victoria was on the throne.

The railway first came to Starbeck in 1848 and its signal box plays a crucial role in the safe and efficient running of each train on the York to Leeds via Harrogate line.

Signalling is a complex traffic light system for the railway. The levers at Starbeck operate a mix of mechanical and electrical colour light signals which tell the train driver when it’s safe to proceed and what route their train will take.

Mr Roberton communicates with neighbouring boxes at Harrogate and Knaresborough to make sure trains remain a safe distance apart.

He also controls the barriers that stop cars from crossing whilst trains leave and enter the station.

The signaller uses a wide array of mechanical levers to communicate.

A traditional signal box

The Starbeck box is as traditional as a signal box can come. Mr Roberton pulls cast-iron levers that connect through a cable to the track.

With as many as nine trains passing through the station each hour, he’s busier than you might think.

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Mr Roberton, who is 40, began working for Network Rail at Starbeck in February this year after working in aviation. He is one of three signallers that work in the box and he works a combination of mornings and afternoons.

He was surprised at how complex and technical the job is.

“I had a wake-up call. You’re marrying technology that’s 100 years’ old with newer innovations.”

Whilst the Starbeck crossing can be the bane of motorists who are hurrying up and down Knaresborough Road, Mr Roberton emphasised its importance in keeping people safe.

He said he’s seen a few frustrated car drivers beep their horns at him but “it’s part of the job.”

Emergency situation

There was a recent emergency when a tree had fallen on the track towards York.

Mr Roberton was forced to stop the whole line until the tree was safely removed. He said seeing a situation to a safe conclusion is one of the most satisfying parts of the job.

“It emphasised whilst efficiency is important, safety is absolutely critical. It’s not just corporate spiel, safety is the number one mantra for Network Rail.”

The signaller’s view of Starbeck.

Being a signaller might be a dream job for a trainspotter, but Mr Roberton said he enjoys the technical aspect of it most of all.

“My dad used to work for the railways. He has a train set at home! And there are some diehards with a traditional veiwpoint about the railway.

“Most people either love trains or think they are always late. The truth is the railway has been the backbone of our country for two centuries.”

Despite technology replacing the need for some signal boxes, Mr Roberton believes there will always be a need for a signaller at the Starbeck crossing to think quickly in times of emergency.

Meet the Starbeck thrill-seeker, 86, who loves to fly Spitfires

Starbeck thrill-seeker Roy Slim, 86, says flying 4,000 feet in the sky in World War Two Spitfires makes him feel young again.

The fearless octogenarian fulfilled a lifetime ambition to fly one of the planes for the first time well into his 80s and hopes to go again in early 2022. Spitfires were used by the RAF throughout the war, most famously in the Battle of Britain against the Luftwaffe.

Mr Slim has lived in Harrogate for over 60 years after working as a radio engineer at RAF Dishforth in the 1950s. However, his love of the Spitfire was forged as a boy, as he was brought up a stone’s throw from where they were built at Castle Bromwich in the Midlands.

He said:

“I used to dream that one day I’ll fly one of those things.”

When he flew the Spitfire, he had full control of the plane and even performed barrel rolls. He followed the same route pilots took during the war down the English Channel and over the white cliffs of Dover.

Roy Slim in the sky.

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Mr Slim said he has a deep respect for the brave men who flew the planes during the war.

“I am thinking, somebody has sat in this seat coming back from France having shot down a German plane, and I’m sitting in that seat!”

He said the experience is “tremendous”.

“I felt like my lifetime ambition was coming true.”

Mr Slim turned 86 today and has no intention of slowing down. As well as Spitfires, he’s learned to fly helicopters, Tiger Moths and performed skydives — all after he turned 80.

All Harrogate trains delayed due to fallen tree

Update: National Rail staff have now cleared the tree but there are still some delays on all Harrogate lines this afternoon.

All trains in the Harrogate area are facing delays and cancellations this afternoon after a tree fell in the Starbeck area.

National Rail said it first received reports of an incident at around 2.15pm and expects the disruption to continue until at least 4pm.

Staff from National Rail are on their way to remove the tree but it is unclear how easy the process will be at this time.

Those travelling between Leeds and York will be able to find another route through Micklefield but others may need to wait for road replacement services.

Rail replacement buses are in operation between Harrogate and York:

This is a breaking news story. We will update this page when we get more information. Have you been affected? Send an email to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate council fines landlords more than £100,000 over safety issues

Harrogate Borough Council revealed today that it has fined seven landlords a total of £109,000 since 2018 for failing to comply with private sector housing requirements.

The council said in a press release it most recently took action against landlord Mr Jamshid Jalali-Ghazaani, who failed to comply with an improvement notice on his property on the High Street in Starbeck.

According to the release, the council found several hazards including excess cold, structural issues and kitchen safety issues. He was fined £25,000.

Mr Jalali-Ghazaani appealed the penalty in September but a property tribunal dismissed it.

The council said it had successfully defended every appeal made by private landlords, including a fine of £15,000 for Stephen Archer’s Providence Terrace property, a fine of £13,500 for Andrew Norman’s Dragon Road property and Kingspark Limited’s £15,000 fine for its property on Electric Avenue.

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In addition, the council has also issued financial penalties totalling £40,589 against landlords of other properties did not appeal the penalty.

The release was published days after the council was criticised by residents for not taking firmer action against to prevent trouble at the privately-let 38 Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, which has been the subject of 255 police reports since 2008.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, said:

“While there are no doubt many landlords who provide excellent residential accommodation, there will sadly always be those who put the financial gain ahead of the safety of their tenants.

“This is an important reminder for landlords that as the housing authority we have the powers, and where necessary, will use them to protect tenants and residents. And hopefully encourage landlords to improve housing standards in the private rental sector.”

Starbeck residents raise anti-social behaviour concerns

Starbeck residents have raised concerns about the level of anti-social behaviour, particularly around the level crossing.

Local councillors and community leaders have received reports of various activities, ranging from late night gatherings to illegal parking.

They are keen for North Yorkshire Police to send more officers to patrol the area to combat the issue.

However, Cllr Tim Myatt, the Conservative representative for High Harrogate, urged anyone with concerns to report them to the police so officers are aware of the scale of the problem. He said:

“Cllr Nigel Middlemass and I are aware of residents’ concerns and we would encourage residents to contact the local police team to log incidents.

“We would like to see an increased police presence in the area to deter unwelcome activity.

“So we encourage residents to report any concerns to the police on the 101 number or via the police website.”

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Charlotte Barker, vice-chair of the Starbeck Residents’ Association, said:

“The Starbeck Residents’ Association recognises that local people are rightly concerned about anti-social behaviour in our area.

“That’s why we have shared residents’ concerns with relevant local organisations and are regularly in touch with the police about these issues on behalf of local people.”

Andrew Hart, who owns the Red Box Post Office on Starbeck High Street, added:

“Policing is a major issue as the local team clock-off at 7pm and are rarely seen during the day. Starbeck continues to be used as a dumping ground.

“Left alone, the homeless hostel residents would be fine but they are not left alone. Improved policing in other parts of the region now means that Starbeck is seen as a soft touch.

“We need some action.”

Starbeck and Bilton post offices raise almost £2,000 for local boy

The Red Box post offices in Starbeck and Bilton have raised £1,980 for a five-year-old Harrogate boy with an incurable blood condition.

Archie Flintoft has Diamond-Blackfan anemia, which means his bone marrow doesn’t create the red blood cells he needs to survive.

Only 1,000 people worldwide have the condition and Archie needs to go to Leeds General Infirmary for blood transfusions every three weeks just to stay alive. He also has to travel to London for a special check-up two or three times a year.

Two years ago mum Vicky set up a Facebook group called Archie’s Army, where followers can keep up with what Archie’s doing and support fundraising projects that pay for his specialist care. But since covid it’s been difficult to raise money.

The Red Box launched an appeal for funds this year and visitors to the two post offices have donated £760, which was matched by The Red Box. Post Office Ltd also donated £200.

Andrew Hart, who owns The Red Box, said:

“Archie is a bright and vibrant child who, when feeling well, does not let life get him down. He is a huge fan of super heroes, and would love to become one when he grows up! To those who know and love him, he already is.”

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The Red Box has now started a grand Christmas raffle in conjunction with Doors Direct, which hopes to raise a further £5,000 for Archie. First prize is a 50” Smart TV.

Tickets are available from tomorrow at both post offices and online.

Defibrillator saves man’s life in Starbeck

A Harrogate nurse has spoken about how a defibrillator saved a man’s life at a 50th birthday party in Starbeck on Saturday.

Andy Dennis, who works in the intensive care unit at Harrogate District Hospital, was among guests at Harrogate Railway Sports and Social Club.

Mr Dennis was talking to hospital colleagues when he noticed the DJ, Dave Bielby, slumped motionless in his chair.

He went over and could not detect a pulse so he called for help and began administering chest compressions to restart his heart. He said:

Fortunately the club had a defibrillator on site and Mr Dennis, aided by players and other nurses, gave four electric shocks in between further chest compressions. He said:

“After the fourth shock, he started to move and vomited. Then the paramedics arrived and I handed over control to them.”

Mr Dennis said the defibrillator almost certainly saved Mr Bielby’s life because the time it would have taken to get one of two others in Starbeck — at the Prince of Wales pub and the Lloyds Pharmacy — would have cost valuable time.

“It made all the difference. The more these things are available to everyone and people have training in them the better. They really are easy to use.

“It would be great if we could use this tragic but well-ending story to get word out and encourage more people to get trained in using defibrillators.”

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Harrogate Railway Athletic FC is now encouraging everyone to sign a petition calling for defibrillators to be installed at all sports grounds.

Peter Scott, a volunteer for Harrogate Community First Responders, which works with Yorkshire Ambulance Service to provide emergency treatment, said every minute lost treating someone when their heart stops reduces their chances of survival by 10%.

He said defibrillators cost between £1,000 and £2,000 and more should be installed around the Harrogate district.

He added:

“It’s important people know how easy it is to use defibrillators.

“If you can take the fear out of using them it will save more lives.”

Mr Bielby posted his gratitude to those who helped on the Harrogate Railway Facebook page. He said:

“I died and was brought back to life. Can’t thank the guys enough. Currently in hospital. The road to recovery starts now.”

Mr Dennis is fundraising to raise £200,000 for the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres. You can support his efforts here.

Calls to improve safety of children walking to school in Starbeck

A parent in Starbeck has called on North Yorkshire County Council to install a path and street lights on Kingsley Road to improve safety for children walking to school.

Darren Leeming and his family recently moved to the Kingsley Meadows estate, a new housing development on Kingsley Road in Harrogate.

Ten children from the estate, including two of his own, walk to and from Starbeck Primary Academy using Kingsley Road each day.

Mr Leeming believes the winding road, which has no street lights or footpath, is dangerous for the children who he thinks could be hit by a motorist.

He said:

“There is no lighting and no path. It just takes one kid to run out.”

“It’s an urgent need for the safety of children.”

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The section of the road that Mr Leeming says is dangerous

Mr Leeming said he has observed cars going above the speed limit of 20mph and he thinks many motorists use the road as a rat-run to avoid the Starbeck rail crossing.

He added:

“It’s supposed to be 20mph but there are cars that exceed the limit.

“If there’s nothing done there will be a fatality. I don’t want to wait until there’s a fatality of a child. It’s irresponsible of the council.”

A spokesperson for NYCC said Mr Leeming can request a highways improvement such as street lighting through its website.

18-month road closure order begins on Starbeck’s Bogs Lane

An 18-month closure order came into place on Bogs Lane in Starbeck today amid ongoing development work in the area.

The street, just off the main A59, is a busy residential area that has been affected by numerous new housing schemes.

Henshaws Specialist College, which has about 80 students with special educational needs and disabilities, is also based on Bogs Lane.

North Yorkshire County Council‘s roadworks map says the closure is for ‘carriageway works’ and is due to end on March 26, 2023.

The Stray Ferret understands residents and businesses will still able to get in and out of the road during the work but we were unable to get clarification from the council on precisely how often the road will be closed over the next year and a half.

With a similar 18-month closure order already in place on Kingsley Drive, locals are already used to dealing with road closures.

Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transportation at the county council, said in a statement:

“An 18-month order is processed should there be a need for multiple works on site, for example, surface dressing.

“An-18 month order also allows for changes in the programme if necessary. When the dates are confirmed they are published on our roadworks map.

“Wherever possible we alert residents and road users to roadworks in advance.”

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The road is often used as a cut-through by motorists to avoid tailbacks on the A59 so any closures over the months ahead could increase traffic on Knaresborough Road.

Follow our morning Traffic and Travel blogs for live updates on roadworks and delays. 

Closure of Starbeck footpath prompts accessibility fears

A Starbeck resident has expressed concerns about the impact of a footpath closure on wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.

The opening of homeless hostel Fern House this year led to the loss of a much-used footpath next to the bowling club on Spa Lane.

People used to head down from Forest Avenue through Belmont Grove and over what was a car park towards Starbeck Baths.

But since the footpath closed, people coming from Forest Avenue must use Belmont Terrace to access the footpath on the other side of the bowling green and walk down a flight of stairs. Alternatively they have to walk the length of Forest Avenue to High Street and turn down Spa Lane.

Resident Stephen Hunt said the loss of the footpath had been more keenly felt since lockdown ended.

He said his main concern was accessibility problems caused by the steps and the extra length of the journey for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs, such as himself, who used the baths.

He said:

“It’s really limiting for someone with a wheelchair or a pushchair like me.

“We visited once a week before lockdown for swimming lessons and now it’s a much longer walk. It just makes the baths less viable or accessible.”

The loss of the footpath was a key concern among Starbeck people during the planning stages for Fern House in May 2018.

Harrogate Borough Council said at the time:

“While the paths do appear to be used, comments were also made during the community engagement process that anti-social behaviour activities were occurring as a result of people being able to easily access the land from Belmont Grove. The paths are not designated public rights of way.

“As a result of comments received during the community and stakeholder engagement process it has been decided to close the site along its northern boundary so as to dissuade anti-social behaviour.”

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Starbeck councillor Philip Broadbank told the Stray Ferret:

“The path was closed for security at Fern House. Nobody has mentioned it to me recently, but I know there were concerned residents at the time.

“I did raise it with the council at the time but it was overruled and accepted.”