Local MP Tom Gordon has voiced his concerns about ongoing road closures and disruption caused by Harrogate’s new Tesco store on Skipton Road.
Tom, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has branded the impact “unacceptable” in conversation with North Yorkshire Council bosses.
He criticised contractors KPS for “flouting clear rules” by working on Sundays and Bank Holidays and “disturbing residents with excessive noise.”
He also condemned the closure of two nearby roads, which have been blocked for weeks - despite no work on those roads taking place.
The delays were reportedly caused by missing safety documents from the gas company, leaving residents stuck with unnecessary disruption and local shops, such as Number One Shop, losing vital trade.
Tom said the situation reflects “serious mismanagement” and a “lack of council oversight.”
He also emphasised that roads should only be closed when work is ready to begin, so residents and businesses are not “unfairly impacted.”
Tom Gordon said:
“The impact of these road closures on residents and local businesses is unacceptable. Shops like the Number One Shop are losing vital trade, and people’s daily lives are being disrupted.
“Contractors must follow the rules, and roads should only be closed when work is ready to start – residents and businesses should not have to pay the price for council failings.”
Tom is working with North Yorkshire Councillors Monika Slater, Peter Lacey, and Harrogate Town Councillor David Allardyce to highlight to the Council a surge in complaints from residents and businesses.
The group demanded urgent answers on four key points: what enforcement action will be taken against KPS for breaching planning rules, how the council will prevent unnecessary road closures, what compensation will be provided to affected businesses, and what safeguards will be introduced to stop such mismanagement in future.
Tom said:
“Cllr Monika Slater and I will be near the site to hear residents’ concerns firsthand and take them straight to the council.
“Unless the situation improves immediately, we will continue to push for action.”
Tom and Monika will be at the New Park roundabout this Saturday (6th September) at 11am to meet residents, hear their concerns and take their voices directly to the council.
Councillor Monika Slater added:
“Residents are already struggling with the scale of disruption caused by these works. To see road closures put in place when no work is happening has created huge frustration and undermined public trust in the Council.
“This comes on top of the chaotic, poorly managed roadworks across Harrogate over the summer, which left many people feeling the town was in gridlock.
“The Council clearly needs to take swift, visible action to restore trust and put residents first.”
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