Killinghall bypass ‘yesterday’s solution’ to congestion

Proposals for a £20 million Killinghall bypass have been criticised by environmental group Zero Carbon Harrogate.

North Yorkshire County Council has put forward plans to build a bypass, with a likely route from the Old Spring Well pub on the A59 to the roundabout in Ripley that goes to Pateley Bridge and Ripon.

It would be one of range of measures, including a park and ride bus scheme and enhanced cycling routes, to ease congestion in the Harrogate district.

But Rod Beardshall, transport lead at ZCH, told the Stray Ferret awareness of climate change had increased locally and building a major new road would “send out the wrong message”.

Mr Beardshall described the decision to refuse Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion plans into Rotary Wood as a “tipping point” for the town, where environmental concerns outweighed other factors.

Rod Beardshall, from Zero Carbon Harrogate

He called a bypass “yesterday’s solution” to tackling congestion:

“It would take years to build and as the climate situation moves on the idea would end up being more anachronistic.”

Killinghall has been bedevilled by traffic for decades and the problem has worsened recently as new housing developments have swelled the size of the village.

Read more:

Mr Beardshall highlighted a 2017 study by countryside charity CPRE that suggests new roads actually increase traffic rather than ease congestion.

He described roads “a very clumsy tool to address congestion” and called on the council to focus on better bus services and walking and cycling access for Killinghall. He even suggested charging motorists to drive through the village:

“If you build a road, it’s there forever.

“By thinking about a bypass you take the eye off the ball for more imaginative solutions.”

Last month, councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said the bypass would ease congestion in the “fastest-growing village in the county”.

He said:

“We have a duty to respond to the many residents and local members who feel that they want to take some of this traffic out of their village.

“That includes 44-tonne lorries, which could not be replaced by a person walking or cycling. That is why we firmly believe that certainly further consideration of a bypass to take this traffic out of the village is needed.”

My year: Zero Carbon Harrogate on hope for the environment

One of the few positives taken from the coronavirus lockdowns has been a focus on the environment and a recognition of how our actions impact on climate change, writes Jemima Parker, chair of Zero Carbon Harrogate.

“Can you hear me? Am I on mute?” have been some of the most uttered words of 2020.

For me, however, it was a year when the climate adaptation message has come off “mute” and a more meaningful conversation began about how we move to become a thriving zero-carbon society.

Perhaps it’s because covid has reminded us all that humanity is still vulnerable to natural forces. If a tiny virus can take down a global society then global heating, leading to sea level rise, extreme weather and the collapse of ecosystems, has to be taken seriously.

If you have truly looked at the impact of climate change you will have felt that vulnerability. It is something I have grappled with for years but felt alone.

However, as we come to the start of a new year, I am more hopeful about the future. The pandemic has given us a painful insight into what it is like to live in an emergency, but it has also shown us how our local culture and economy can rapidly adjust to deal with a new reality.

A vision of Harrogate in a zero-carbon future. Credit – James McKay.

What brings me hope is the ingenuity and resilience that has been seen across the district. Pop-up neighbourhood support groups, repurposing of businesses, cafes, charities and Harrogate Borough Council’s services and financial support taken to a new level.

It is this creativity and determination that we will need to enable Yorkshire to transition effectively to a low carbon economy, ensuring no one is left behind. Earlier this year it gave me great pleasure to publish the Zero Carbon Harrogate vision and strategy document, Becoming a Net Zero Carbon District by 2030, which sets out what a flourishing Harrogate District could look like, if we do it right. We could see cleaner air, new jobs, lower energy bill and a resilient local economy.

To help make this happen I’ve been working, with others from Zero Carbon Harrogate, to support the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition, bringing together businesses, community groups and the Council to form an independent body to coordinate this transition.

We were unprepared for the pandemic, which resulted in a response that has been a disorderly stop-start sprint, trying to understand the science, assess the risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.

In contrast, decarbonising our district will be a marathon but the science is clear, the risks are clear and we know what action to take to mitigate them. Now I’m excited about how we take things forward here in Harrogate.

Read more:

 

Harrogate organisation screens award-winning climate documentary

Zero Carbon Harrogate is screening an award-winning climate documentary online tomorrow.

2040, which is directed by and stars Australian Damon Gameau, explores what the world might look like if measures are taken to protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

The screening will take place at 7pm and will be followed by a short Q&A session via zoom.

The panel will include the chair of the Harrogate Climate Coalition, Cllr Phil Ireland, the chair of Zero Carbon Harrogate, Jemima Parker, and the chair of Zero Carbon Harrogate Natural Climate Solutions, Ian Fraser.

Read more: 

The film explores a number of themes, including female empowerment, regenerative agriculture and renewable energy.

2040 aims to encourage people to take responsibility for the world to “secure it for generations.”

The event is free but donations are welcome. To book tickets visit their website.