Stray Views Archives - Page 178 of 188

Stray Views: ‘Shameful trickery’ at Harrogate hospital car park

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

I have been taking a friend to occasional appointments at the Harrogate hospital for several years.

Occasionally the barrier is up and therefore no charge is made.

On the December 27 this looked to be the case. I parked for 1 hour and 5 minutes. I didn’t look for and therefore didn’t see any signs that things had changed.

I then received a parking fine for £70.

The bollard at the entrance has not changed and is an intentional act to trick into not paying for parking as no ticket was issued.

It’s shameful trickery and I will no longer be able to take my friend for her appointments.

Al Hewitt, Harrogate

More letters

Please could we have more letters published in the letters section?

Now that the Harrogate Advertiser has cut down its letters page to a paltry two or three per week, there is little opportunity for local residents to have their views made public and the Stray Ferret would be an ideal medium for offering more of this.

Carol Trueman, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Stray Views: ‘Old wounds’ over west Harrogate bypass need to remain open

As you can imagine the headline to an article in the Stray Ferret immediately caught my attention – “Council quashes hopes of West Harrogate Bypass”

The only facts I can support and agree with in this article is that yes, North Yorkshire County Council, held a widely publicised consultation about congestion in 2019, and yes, Cllr Duncan’s predecessor may have abandoned unpopular plans to build a relief road by the Nidd Gorge following the consultation but certainly not for the reasons reported in this article.

The facts reported in the local media at the time gave the impression that the relief road was going to travel through or very close to the Nidd Gorge itself, an area of outstanding natural beauty. This impression apparently was bolstered with images of the Nidd Gorge so naturally most people are going to react as they did to this highly unpopular proposal. The questions in the consultation were skewed to make people answer in a particular way (as they nearly always are with consultations generated by North Yorkshire Council) to give the result the council wanted.

The people of Harrogate were totally misled and didn’t specifically vote against a relief road but the route they were led to believe it was taking through Nidd Gorge.

We are fed up with North Yorkshire Council massaging the information to suit themselves. The resulting doomed Station Gateway and the now scaled back gateway did not and will not tackle congestion at all in Harrogate. It will continue to be an ever-growing problem for the town. The results did not resoundingly favour sustainable transport and demand management solutions to congestion. They resoundingly rejected a route for a relief road through or near Nidd Gorge.

I fully support Conservative Cllr John Mann in his view that there is merit in the idea of building a bypass as a long-term project and his other comment that “congestion is already quite severe and dangerous to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians”. I believe “old wounds” as Cllr Duncan comments on this issue should and need to be kept open.

Barry Adams, Harrogate

Cyclists and hospital queues

In response to concerns over Harrogate hospital queues for cyclists.

If cyclists are that worried about the queues to get in the hospital, get off your bike and walk along the footpath. Simple.

Rob Young, Harrogate

Stray Views: Harrogate hospital queues ‘very dangerous’ for cyclists

Being a local resident, I have no experience of trying to park in Harrogate hospital with the new system. However, I have lots of experience as a cyclist, trying to bypass the regularly huge queues of traffic that built up in both directions at certain times of the day on Lancaster Park Road, waiting to get in to the hospital car park – queues sometimes extending all the way to Knaresborough Road and Willaston Crescent.

Very dangerous – with queues of traffic on one side and parked cars on the other, cars suddenly moving out of the queuing traffic made it very dangerous for anyone, particularly a cyclist, trying to pass. Yes, I’ve had a few close shaves.

It also made it very difficult, sometimes impossible for a vehicle to bypass the queue – I have witnessed flashing ambulances that were delayed as they couldn’t get past the queuing traffic to get to the car park entrance.

Hazel Maxwell, Harrogate

Royal Baths valuation ‘hypothetical’

Whilst I have absolutely no brief for North Yorkshire Council, perhaps an aspect of your story regarding what the Royal Baths is costing the taxpayer is a little misleading.

Yes when they purchased the legal interest it will have been the £9.5million, you quote. Any subsequent valuation whilst they own (hold) it (and local authorities are required to do them over a five year period on all categories of assets) will be at a point in time and a ‘book figure’. A true comparison can only be made when they actually sell their legal interest to a third party.

To arrive at the current book figure, they are required to take in a number of factors, to arrive at a valuation as at that point in time. It is conjecture therefore that it is actually costing the taxpayer money at this stage as the valuation is hypothetical and only if and when they sell their interest, can the true loss (or profit) be ascertained.

Other current losses, such as rental income and rates, are indeed losses that the taxpayer will need to pick up.

Bernard White, Ripon

Stray Views: ‘Shame’ on councillors who voted for allowance rise

How dare they give themselves a pay rise at this time. They already all got a rise when everything went to Northallerton because they were going to have more responsibility with the wider district to cover.

Then instead of the economies of scale and savings we were promised we find they have given us £25 million debt. Shame on them.

Diane Stokes, Starbeck

Briggate would be fixed quicker in Northallerton

I have just read John Plummer’s article on the lack of progress with the roadworks on Briggate, Knaresborough

I believe that Ms Burnham is being somewhat economical with the truth when she states that the work will take until Christmas to complete but only begin in a few weeks time. There are only 25 working days until Christmas.

I also believe that had this happened in Northallerton – it would have been fixed in September. It is not equitable to leave local council tax payers ‘simply’ having to put up with the daily misery of the situation which currently has no committed end in sight

Having examined the collapse closely myself, the rubble could easily be removed – thus freeing up the road again. Despite significant rainfall and gale force winds since September it has shown no further signs of collapse. I note also that the houses above have not been evacuated nor the footpath itself closed to pedestrians. The situation could then be monitored regularly until such time as the work could be carried out.

And bad weather can’t be blamed for lack of progress either since it hasn’t prevented significant , planned gas works from being carried out on Aspin Lane etc

Ultimately the situation appears to boil down to the council’s apathy or disinterest in sorting this problem out for local taxpayers.

Alice Woolley, Knaresborough

Thanks to Connexions Buses

Connexions Buses have ended their X1A and B services Harrogate to Knaresbrough estates.

I would like to thank them for their reliable service over the past years and the friendly drivers who always would wait for us older passengers to be seated and wish them all the best for their future employment.

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

Stray Views: Government should clamp down on homeless tents

While I can’t imagine how on earth a penalty could be enforced against those that refuse accommodation, I must re-educate Lib Dem candidate Tom Gordon, on his belief that tents are not a “life choice” for some of the homeless.

Believe me Tom – having volunteered to work with the homeless for a good couple of years, I am only too aware that there are several local individuals who – for whatever reason – decline offers of help, support, accommodation or stability. It is their preferred lifestyle, and they have no desire to engage with services or have a permanent roof over their heads.

Personally, I don’t understand it. But I acknowledge it – each to their own. But I certainly stand by any decision to clamp down on the use of tents, lest we become a society reflective of some of the horrendous “tent cities” that are synonymous with many American cities.

Want to live in a tent? Fine. Your call. But to do so on the High Street, I draw the line. I may not vote Conservative, but I do agree that Suella Braverman understands someone needs to get a grip.

Mark Fuller, Harrogate

Badger Hill speeding an issue

The speed of traffic round the bend at Badger Hill needs to be seen, it has resulted in cars hitting the wall and the house. The latest was two weeks ago when a car left the road hit the wall and overturned. This is where many people sit waiting for the bus.

This is a very big concern and the councillors comments seemed to dismiss the involvement of the present Lady Mayoress, who visited us to hear our concerns.

Malcom Wood, Knaresborough

Stray Views: ‘Ridiculous difficulty’ parking at Harrogate hospital

How many people are late for their Harrogate District Hospital appointments or simply go home due to the ridiculous difficulty parking? I was there this afternoon and an elderly woman said she had been driving around for an hour looking for a space.

You now have to arrive a good 45 minutes early and even then you may not be parked in time. It took numerous circuits last week before I found a space.

The parking fee has been hiked to £4 for a couple of hours, it’s daylight robbery, particularly when all you are doing is driving around aimlessly, competing with other drivers for non existent spaces. Using two buses to get there isn’t an option for most people.

It’s time to reinstate the barrier so that people only enter the hospital car park when there is actually a space.

Liz Carnell, Harrogate

Leeds Bradford Airport needs covered walkway

I note your report on Leeds Bradford Airport upgrading the terminal at cost of £100 million.

It would be great if they could spare a few pounds and construct a covered walkway for the drop-off point to the terminal so passengers can arrive dry into the booking in departure area.

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

Stray Views: Valley Drive parking fines a ‘money spinner’

Valley Drive parking fines are a council money spinner

It is little wonder the council makes so much money from parking fines on Valley Drive in Harrogate as one side of the road permits three hours of parking whilst the opposite side gives only one hour.

It’s fairly obvious that if someone who does not know the road parks on the one-hour side and looks across to the other and sees the three-hour parking sign, they may well think that applies to their side too without checking.

It has always seemed unfair to me that this anomaly could catch many people out. I daresay the council realises the anomaly too but are hardly likely to remedy it when it is such a money spinner.

Carol Trueman, Harrogate

Ripon councillors still dining out on anti-Harrogate rhetoric

Ripon city councillors have dined out on anti-Harrogate antics from 1974 to 2023 — almost 50 years of negative opposition instead of creative engagement — ensuring the continuous election of the same.

How long before they then turn their sights on the new North Yorkshire Council for failing to give them what they want, which is complete control of everything Ripon-related?

The ‘leader’ of Ripon City Council (actually a parish council) — is there even such a role in most parish council standing orders? — was elected as an ‘independent’ but has subsequently decided to support the Conservative councillors on North Yorkshire Council.

John Edmonstone

(Ex-parish councillor nearby to Ripon)

Why weren’t pedestrians consulted about Station Parade roadworks?

I was disappointed to see that pedestrians have been given little thought in the redevelopment of Copthall Towers on Station Parade. The footpath along one whole side of Station Bridge is now entirely blocked off.

I walk this way on the school run daily, coming from the direction of East Parade. This obstruction means we have to go clockwise around the roundabout in order to reach the far side of Station Bridge.

This may not seem like a significant detour to some, but try adding a pushchair and early walkers into the mix.

More significantly, it also necessitates crossing two roads which don’t have a pedestrian crossing, one of which has two lanes approaching the roundabout.

Was any thought given to adding temporary pelican crossings at Station Avenue and North Park Road? Or perhaps, giving pedestrians priority over Station Bridge, rather than drivers?

It would be refreshing to see our elected leaders and planning officials put pedestrians first for a change; prioritising greener, more sustainable travel choices and making it easier and safer for people to walk.

It’s already hard enough to navigate the piles of dog excrement, pot holes and parked cars which furnish our pavements so abundantly.

Jessica Eaton, Harrogate

Stray Views: Make Harrogate 20mph zone only apply during school pick-up time

I wish to make an important point about these new restrictions (20mph zones in Harrogate). I fully support the need for them, but it would be sensible to make them apply only during school pick-up and drop off times.

This is done widely in the United States and only applies when warning lights on the road are flashing.

This greatly improves the level of observance of the measures as many consider that it is so unnecessary at other times of the day.

Keith Ludlam, Bilton

Harrogate police memorial is fantastic

Just saw your story on the news (Harrogate police memorial unveiled) and wanted to say that this is what is needed for all memorials so as to ensure their death is remembered and made real rather than just as a name on a monument people pass by. Fantastic.

Carl Sutherley, Leicester (took basic training in Harrogate)

Otley Road cycle path ‘waste of money’

Whoever thought of spending money on the cycle path on Otley Road? It has been a waste of money.

I regularly use Otley Road to visit my wife who is in a care home and the times I see cyclists riding on the road and not using the cycle paths. It Is beggars believe this money could have been spent on improving some of the potholes on the state of the roads.

Leonard Redmond, Harrogate

Stray Views: Valley Gardens rotundas need security cameras

A few weeks ago the higher up of the two rotundas in Valley Gardens was vandalised. The floor was covered in what looked vomit and other unidentified residues, possibly food, on the floor and some dark substances thrown up the walls.

The evidence of this is still there and little has been done to clear it up. The floor is also frequently covered in broken glass. This does not make a very good impression. There also used to be three benches there, now there is only one.

The previous council spent money putting up gates outside the Sun Pavilion, preventing people walking through, which are still locked (although the gates are too low to deter vandals) despite promising to review the situation. They also put lighting down the colonnades.

Surely it would be sensible to put security cameras in both the rotundas to cut down on the vandalism?

Bridget Tayan, Harrogate

‘Simple explanation’ to Knaresborough EV charging points use

The 10 electric vehicle parking slots in Chapel Street Car Park in Knaresborough are reported to be rarely used and take up valuable parking slots in the town centre which petrol and diesel car drivers cannot use.

There is a simple explanation as to why they are not used by EV drivers, which may not be obvious to non-EV drivers or the council.

The meters are all 7 kWh. This means in one hour the meter will provide 7 kW. A non luxury EV car has an average battery size of 49kWh which is enough to drive 175 miles. Most shoppers might expect to park for one hour which means they could add a whopping 25 miles worth of electricity to their car battery.

In contrast, an ultra rapid EV charging point such as the new ones at Sainsbury’s Wetherby Road branch provides 150 kWh, or enough to fully charge the battery, and the parking is free.

The 7kWh meters fitted by the council are really intended for office car parking use so the battery can be charged throughout the working day. They are not suitable for a council car park. Town centres do need some EV charging points otherwise EV drivers will go to supermarkets. The way forward is to have a smaller number of parking slots e.g. 2 to 4, fitted with ultra rapid EV charging points, with a maximum stay of 30 minutes, and the parking should be free.

Duncan Petty, Knaresborough

Stray Views: Let’s see police tackle anti-social behaviour after Remembrance Day withdrawal

How sad to see the deputy chief constable exercising his “lawful” duty and removing police traffic control from some Remembrance Day parades.

However, his new found ability to police anti-social behaviour should rid our pavements of e-scooters, e-skateboards and bicycles.

It also should get rid of the noisy “Hooray Henry” young motorists who speed around the town with illegal exhaust systems ruining our enjoyment of our lovely town.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Mike Hodgson, Harrogate

‘Shame’ over Great Yorkshire Showground fencing

I’m trying to make some sense of the extraordinary decision to fence off the Crimple meadows.

For 10 years or more this area has, thanks to the generosity of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, been part of the lungs of Harrogate. Whilst I understand the land is theirs to do with as it sees fit, it seems mean-spirited to withdraw this amazing area from the people of Harrogate and beyond with no notice.

I’m struggling to see what the society gains by doing such a thing – unless its aim was to deliberately upset the huge numbers of people who regularly used the space. The fencing of the area must have cost a fortune. Money it can hardly re-coup in a hurry by renting the land or by selling sheep, particularly as those sheep will presumably have to be moved on the numerous occasions the fields are used as a car park.

I’ve heard some suggestions that reverting the land to farming might be a prelude to more lucrative development. Can this be true?

The land is theirs and what it does with it is its business. However, the town does have to tolerate the massive disruption the show(s) bring(s) every year — something we are given little choice in.

Robin Thompson, Harrogate

Read more:

More letters

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Cyclists and hospital queues

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Royal Baths valuation ‘hypothetical’

Briggate would be fixed quicker in Northallerton

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Thanks to Connexions Buses

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Badger Hill speeding an issue

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Leeds Bradford Airport needs covered walkway

Valley Drive parking fines are a council money spinner

Ripon councillors still dining out on anti-Harrogate rhetoric

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Why weren’t pedestrians consulted about Station Parade roadworks?

Harrogate police memorial is fantastic

Otley Road cycle path ‘waste of money’

Read more:

‘Simple explanation’ to Knaresborough EV charging points use

Read more:

‘Shame’ over Great Yorkshire Showground fencing

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