A new parking system is set to be introduced in a bid to ease queues outside Harrogate District Hospital.
Residents and visitors have reported long lines of traffic approaching the hospital on Lancaster Park Road, particularly at visiting times in the afternoon.
Now, the hospital said it will remove parking barriers and introduce a new system to help traffic move more freely around the car park and its approaches.
A Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said:
“We are aware that at certain periods of the day, such as during visiting hours, Lancaster Park Road can become congested with traffic due to an increase in the number of drivers wanting to park at our hospital.
“We understand that this is not ideal for patients and visitors, especially at peak times, and we have been looking at how we can improve the flow of traffic onto our site to ease congestion.
“Entry to our car park is currently controlled by a barrier, however, later this year this will be removed in favour of an alternative parking system, which will help with flow into the car park.”
One nearby resident who contacted the Stray Ferret said it was a daily problem for visitors to the hospital.
Bill Shaw told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s total gridlock and the hospital car park is full! people who have appointments or just visiting have nowhere to park – a weekly day fiasco.
“The ambulances on blue lights have to negotiate this time wasting problem.”
The hospital spokesperson said Yorkshire Ambulance Service had not raised any concerns about delays or access problems caused by traffic.
He added:
“Due to the limited space on our hospital site we are currently unable to increase our car parking capacity and we would encourage visitors to consider other means of visiting if they are able to do so, such as by public transport or walking.”
Read more:
- Harrogate hospital: Patients will be safe during junior doctors’ four-day strike
- Harrogate hospital reports improved A&E waiting times
Overturned car causing rush hour diversion in Harrogate
A major road through Harrogate has been closed this morning after a collision that has left a car on its roof.
It is not known whether anyone has been injured in the incident, which happened at around 6.30am.
Police have closed the stretch of Hookstone Road between Hornbeam Crescent and Oatlands Drive while they deal with the scene.
The scene at about 7.30am today.
The road is likely to remain closed until at least 8.30am.
Traffic is diverting down Hornbeam Crescent, Wheatlands Road East and Oatlands Drive, with school buses and commuters likely to be affected during rush hour.
Read more:
- Homelessness ‘significantly increased’ amid cost of living crisis, says Harrogate council official
- Person suffers head injuries after crash at Blubberhouses
Harrogate train line blocked due to flooding in morning of travel misery
Rail operator Northern has said all train lines between Harrogate and Leeds are blocked due to flooding.
Persistent rain has fallen this morning across the district, where a hosepipe ban remains in place due to an ongoing drought.
The wet conditions have heightened the usual traffic problems on main routes in and out of Harrogate.
But commuters are worse hit, following Northern’s announcement shortly after 10.30am today.
https://twitter.com/northernassist/status/1595366257821421568
Northern said trains running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes.
Motorists have also faced delays on the usual routes. Traffic in Spofforth has been particularly bad due to a vehicle hitting Spofforth Bridge on the A661.
The wall of the damaged bridge in Spofforth.
Four-way traffic lights at the Kirk Deighton junction have also contributed to delays.
The rain is forecast to end this afternoon.
Goldsborough gridlock brings ongoing misery to motoristsQueues of more than an hour have been reported once again this week due to temporary traffic lights on the edge of Knaresborough.
Three-way lights have been in place to allow Yorkshire Water to carry out work on the A59 near the junction with the A658, near Goldsborough.
The roadworks began affecting the busy commuter route at the beginning of October and have been regularly causing long tailbacks.
And while there has been some relief, with the lights being turned off at different periods throughout the day, it has inevitably caused traffic chaos.
This week drivers have reported queues all the way back to junction 47 of the A1(M) and beyond.
It has also had a major impact on pupils and teachers getting to and from Goldsborough CE Primary School.
With the roadworks due to last until November 27, many people have expressed frustration on social media.
@northyorkscc Could you ask your Highways Department what the point of the temporary traffic lights are at the Goldsborough/Knaresborough A59 roundabout please? The traffic is currently backed up to the A1 at Allerton Park yet there are no roadworks on the A59!!
— Alan Huddart (@alanhuddart) November 8, 2022
One woman wrote on a Facebook group:
“Not helpful when it’s a guessing game every morning to see if they are on or not going to work in York daily.”
Another added:
“50 minutes it’s just taken me to get from Boroughbridge to King James School!”
The Stray Ferret contacted Yorkshire Water for comment but has not had a response.
Read more:
- Roadworks lead to long queues on A59 near Knaresborough
- New plans to tackle traffic on Harrogate’s A61
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update
Here is this morning’s update on traffic and travel across the Harrogate district.
Spotted anything else? Email us the details and we’ll add it below to help others get around this morning.
Harrogate
The long-term gas works on Crescent Road In Harrogate town centre are due to be paused this week.
Motorists are still unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction and traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right but by next week the restrictions should have ended.
Roadworks near the Harrogate Town ground on Wetherby Road in Harrogate are due to end today.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, two sets of traffic lights will be active on Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.
The top of Woodfield Road is also closed to traffic leaving Skipton Road, though open to vehicles leaving Woodfield onto Skipton Road. Those works are scheduled to end today.
Kingsley Drive remains closed between Birstwith Road and Rydal Road until November 6. There are also temporary traffic lights on Kingsley Road while work continues to create an access road to the new housing development.
Knaresborough
Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.
Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.
Kirkgate Road in central Knaresborough is closed today for works to the kerbs.
Several sets of two-way traffic lights are in place along the A6055 Boroughbridge Road between Knaresborough and Minskip.
Branton Lane in Great Ouseburn is closed until next Friday while Yorkshire Water lays a new main.
Ripon and Nidderdale
In Ripon, roadworks are due to conclude on Heckler Lane and New Road today.
Stumps Lane in Darley is closed for another week for a sewer to be connected.
Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.
The road is closed and a diversion is in place via Pateley Bridge, the B6451 Dacre, Menwith Hill Road, Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.
Fell Beck Bridge remains closed for works until November 6, with a diversion in place via Burnt Yates and Summerbridge.
Trains and buses
Rail operator Northern is not reporting any significant problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning but the live departure and arrival board for Harrogate shows the 7.09am Northern service to York is currently running seven minutes late.
The Harrogate Bus Company is not currently reporting any cancellations or significant delays on its services. You can get updates here.
An early warning for you: there are some changes to bus timetables on the horizon, taking effect from Sunday, November 6. Most of these are minor, but in a more significant change, the 36 will no longer offer ‘neighbourhood journeys’ from Bilton and Jennyfield to Leeds.
The bus company said this is down to low passenger numbers. Passengers can still get tickets through to Leeds if they start their journeys on the 2A, 2B or 3.
Check the full details on the Harrogate Bus Company website.
Read more:
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update
The long-term gas works on Crescent Road In Harrogate town centre are due to be paused this week.
Motorists are still unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction and traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right but by next week the restrictions should have ended.
Roadworks near the Harrogate Town ground on Wetherby Road in Harrogate are due to end tomorrow.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, two sets of traffic lights will be active on Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.
Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough are due to remain in place until November 11.
Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.
In Ripon, roadworks are due to be active on Heckler Lane and New Road today and tomorrow.
Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.
The road is closed and a diversion is in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.
Trains and buses
Rail operator Northern is not reporting any problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning but the live departure and arrival board for Harrogate shows the 7.37am LNER service to London is cancelled.
The Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on the 36 bus, the 9am and 10.55am Harrogate to Leeds services are cancelled, as are the Leeds to Harrogate 7.40am, 9.55am, 11.55am services and the Starbeck to Leeds 6.23am bus.
You can get updates here.
Read more:
- Otley Road cycle path could be re-routed with new traffic restrictions
- New plans to tackle traffic on Harrogate’s A61
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update
Traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough, which have been causing delays this month, are due to remain in place until November 11.
Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.
In Harrogate, roadworks on the notorious Wetherby Road in Harrogate have been causing delays all week.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until Friday.
The map also indicates a slew of traffic lights this week on nearby Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.
In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
Roadworks on the notorious Wetherby Road in Harrogate have been causing delays all week.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until Friday.
In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.
The road is closed and a diversion is in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.
Trains and buses
Rail operator Northern is not reporting any problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning. The live departure and arrival board for Harrogate doesn’t currently show any delays.
The Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems. You can get updates here.
Read more:
- Otley Road cycle path could be re-routed with new traffic restrictions
- New plans to tackle traffic on Harrogate’s A61
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup
All children at Harrogate district secondary schools return for the new term today so expect the roads to be busier than what we’ve been used to over the summer.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.
Roads
Northern Gas Networks is undertaking some emergency works on Leadhall Lane in Harrogate. Delays are expected until the end of this week.
Roadworks are also taking place on Yew Tree Lane near Ashville College until tomorrow.
On Rossett Drive, engineers at Yorkshire Water are doing works with works set to finish at the end of the week.
Trains and buses
Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.
A couple of of 36 buses this morning have been cancelled by Transdev. The affected routes are below:
Harrogate to Leeds 7.20am
Leeds to Harrogate 7.40am, 8.40am
Read more
- Long-term delays expected at key junction on way to Leeds Bradford Airport
- Some Harrogate train tickets sold for £1 in Northern ‘flash sale’
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup
Today is the last day before all children at Harrogate district secondary schools return. Tomorrow will see a sharp increase in morning traffic.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.
Roads
Rayleigh Road in Harrogate is closed today due to roadworks.
Dunkeswick Lane near Kirkby Overblow is closed until September 18 due to roadworks. Diversions are in place.
Havikil Lane in Scotton is also closed until tomorrow in order to widen a footpath.
Trains and buses
Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.
A number of buses this morning have been cancelled by Transdev. The affected routes are below:
The 1
Starbeck to Harrogate 7.04am
The 1A
Harrogate to Aspin 9.41am
Aspin to Harrogate 10.06am
The 1B
Harrogate to Eastfield 8.31am
Eastfield to Harrogate 8.57am
The 1C
Harrogate to Carmires 6.51am
Carmires to Harrogate 7.18am
The 1D
Harrogate to Pastures 7.21am
Pastures to Harrogate 7.49am
#The7
Harrogate to Leeds 6.25am
Leeds to Harrogate 8.20am
#The36
Harrogate to Leeds 6.23am, 9am, 10.55am, 12.55pm, 2.55pm
King Edwards Dr Post Office to Leeds 6.56am
Leeds to Harrogate 7.40am, 8.40am, 9.55am, 11.55am, 1.55pm
Leeds to Starbeck 4pm
Read more
- Long-term delays expected at key junction on way to Leeds Bradford Airport
- Some Harrogate train tickets sold for £1 in Northern ‘flash sale’
Calls to tackle construction vehicles who cause ‘misery’ in Harrogate
A councillor says more should be done to tackle construction vehicles that are making people’s lives a ‘misery’ in residential areas.
There has been an unprecedented levels of housebuilding in the Harrogate district in recent years, which has resulted in an increasing number of trucks, lorries and other construction traffic going to-and-from sites.
At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting last night, Conservative councillor for Old Bilton, Paul Haslam, queried what more the council could do to support residents dealing with disruption.
When a development receives planning permission, conditions are attached that stipulate how housebuilders will minimise the impact of issues such as noise and dust.
But Cllr Haslam said he and other councillors had received complaints from residents that the council’s planning enforcement team was not ensuring that conditions were being upheld.
Cllr Haslam said:
“I’m very concerned at the moment about some building work that’s going on in Harrogate, where it’s close to existing properties. [The housebuilders] have been given permission to build, not to make their lives a misery.
“How can we help officers enforce conditions to ensure that development is conducted in a safe and healthy way?”
He added:
“I have potential building on the edge of my area at the moment. The people who live next to it will have 10 years of disruption.”
Read more:
- How Harrogate objections have halted Leeds conference venue – for now
- Historic footage of Harrogate and Knaresborough to be shown at Odeon
In response, Conservative councillor for Killinghall and Hampsthwaite, Michael Harrison, suggested council officers should meet with the directors of housing companies so they can better understand “how much work they need to do” to support people who live next to building sites.
Conservative councillor for the Washburn ward, Victoria Oldham asked Cllr Haslam if he thought HBC’s planning enforcement team was acting on complaints from residents “in a timeous manner”.
Cllr Haslam said he was concerned that enforcement officers “don’t have enough support”. He said:
“Quite clearly, guidelines are being flaunted by the developers. We need to make sure we are seen to protect our residents.”