A social media video has highlighted the long-running issue of motorists parking on Oatlands Drive in Harrogate and blocking a cycle lane.
Frequent parking in the lane has become a major frustration for cyclists, many of whom lament what they consider to be inadequate cycling infrastructure in the district.
Advisory cycle lanes run down both sides of Oatlands Drive. One side of the road has double yellow lines, which makes it an offence to park there.
But the other side doesn’t have any yellow lines, which means there are no parking restrictions. Cars often park on this side of the road, particularly at weekends when football matches take place on the Stray.
The video was shared with the Stray Ferret by a person who asked to remain anonymous. You can watch it below:
‘It really upsets me’
Several Harrogate residents criticised motorists for parking in the cycle lane when asked by the Stray Ferret.
Ruth Ker said:
“I cycle down there regularly and it really upsets me that people park over the cycle lane and onto the Stray.”
Zoe Oxley said:
“There’s not enough cycle lanes in Harrogate as it is without drivers parking over the few we have.”
Cyclist Ian Hallett on Oatlands Drive.
Ian Hallett, a keen cyclist who lives in the nearby Saints area, said:
“When occasional cars are parked in the cycle lane, it is very dangerous as cyclists have to move out into the flow of traffic to avoid them. This is all very frustrating as the road could form a good cycling link from a popular residential area into the town centre.”
Stuart Macintosh said:
“I’d strongly support double yellow lines along there. It would stop the cars parking half on the Stray as well.”
Read more:
- Residents welcome decision to drop Oatlands Drive one-way scheme
- Stray Views: one-way proposals spark safety concerns in the Saints
Active travel scheme
As part of four active travel schemes in the county, North Yorkshire County Council has proposed various measures for the Oatlands Drive area, including painting double yellow lines on both sides of the road to stop people parking there.
However, NYCC scrapped one element of the proposals, a one-way system for Oatlands Drive, after receiving “overwhelming” opposition in its initial consultation.
The scheme has now entered its second consultation phase, but a one-way system around the Saints has proved unpopular with residents, which could throw the whole scheme into doubt.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at NYCC, told the Stray Ferret a decision on whether the plans go ahead will be made next month.
He said:
“We have sought to resolve this problem through the development of the Active Travel Fund scheme for Oatlands Drive, first by proposing one-way traffic management which would create sufficient road width for fully compliant cycle paths, then by proposing double yellow lines along Oatlands Drive as part of a later package of measures for the scheme, which excluded the one-way option.
“In the meantime, it is regrettable that drivers are deciding to block the eastern cycle path by inconsiderate parking.”
Harrogate Borough Council enforces parking restrictions but said it has no power to stop people parking on the Oatlands Drive cycle lane.
A council spokesperson said:
“We can only enforce if there are parking restrictions when a cycle lane is advisory, like they are in Oatlands Drive.
“Unless NYCC puts a double yellow line down both sides of the road, we can only enforce the restrictions on the one side.”
