A pressure group for cyclists in Harrogate has issued a stinging criticism of proposals to improve the road network in the town.
Harrogate District Cycle Action says that a new transport strategy, which includes a raft of suggested tweaks to junctions and roads in the west of Harrogate, will lead to “carmageddon” and offer little encouragement to those who want to walk or cycle instead.
Writing in its newsletter this week, the group commented on the 241-page strategy, which has been drawn up by various consultants on behalf of housing developers and in consultation with North Yorkshire Council.
It looks at what improvements could be made on the side of town where up to 4,000 new homes are likely to be built once all the schemes in the pipeline are completed.
These include 224 homes at Whinney Lane, which will be decided by councillors on Tuesday morning.
The strategy feeds into a recently published council infrastructure delivery document outlining measures it wants to take to ensure key services are up to scratch for residents who will be moving in — and for those who already live there.
For the transport strategy, experts looked at 30 different junctions and used modelling to predict how traffic flow could be improved for vehicles coming in and out of town from its western side.
Many of the suggested changes involve changing traffic light timings at key junctions to address congestion, such as on Leeds Road.
The Prince of Wales roundabout is a familiar pinch point for motorists during rush hour and the strategy proposes to add traffic lights at the junctions where Trinity Road meets both Otley Road and Leeds Road.
It also says pedestrian crossing facilities could be introduced here but not by the roundabout itself, which has disappointed Harrogate District Cycle Action.
Near Cardale Park on the edge of Harrogate, the strategy says the council should widen roads including Howhill Road, Lady Lane and Beckwith Head Road so they would be easier to navigate for buses.
It adds that the ability to walk and cycle to essential services will be key to reduce traffic and the document includes an aim of creating safe cycle routes within new housing developments that connect to local roads.
But Harrogate District Cycle Action criticised the lack of proposed cycle routes on key arteries like Leeds Road and Wetherby Road and said a link to the town centre is now “broken” due to phase 2 of the Otley Road cycle path being abandoned.
They said the strategy is “overwhelmingly about expanding capacity for motor vehicles.”
It also said the changes to Trinity Road would turn it into an “officially-designated” rat run for drivers between Leeds Road and Otley Road.
A HDCA spokesperson said:
“In the strategy there is no shortage of warm words about sustainable travel, but the concrete proposals fall woefully short of the rhetoric. They look likely to lead to more carmaggedon in Harrogate.”
New Acute Medical Unit opens at Harrogate District Hospital
New show home opens for Harrogate house hunters
Darcey's Ball raises whopping £55,000 for Martin House
Local MP takes campaign to save Knaresborough castle to Parliament
Harrogate Town submit plans to build £2.75m training ground in Wetherby
Harrogate NHS awarded £2 million for cutting waiting times
Harrogate care home's Christmas ball raises £18,500
Local MP visits Harrogate College amid £20million redevelopment
New sandwich shop to open on Knaresborough Road
Yorkshire Baby Show announces return to Harrogate in spring
Weetons named as winners of Christmas shop window competition
Knaresborough Young Farmers announce return of Christmas tree collection service
Your Harrogate and Harrogate Town to partner for return of Local Hero Awards
Harrogate appoints night marshals for festive season
Search continues for missing man who could be in Harrogate
Harrogate dad living with epilepsy shares hope for festive season he can remember
Ripon BID named as finalist at national awards
Man arrested in Harrogate after hitting woman 'multiple times in the head'
Yorkshire Water finally lifts five-month hosepipe ban
Fundraiser launched to help Starbeck boy take his first independent steps
