Plan to create 200 HGV parking bays at Wetherby Services

Plans have been submitted to expand Wetherby Services to create 200 new heavy goods vehicle parking spaces.

Rapleys LLP which has tabled a screening application on behalf of services operator Moto Hospitality Ltd for the site off junction 46 of the A1(M).

It would see the site expand to create 200 HGV parking spaces, while the current HGV parking facilities would be replaced with 118 electric vehicle charging bays.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said the extension was required to meet demand at the services.

It said:

“The proposed circa 200 new HGV parking spaces form part of an urgently required extension to the existing motorway service area.

“This proposal arises from the need for increased HGV parking capacity at the existing motorway service area.”

The planned layout for the parking spaces at Wetherby Services.

The planned layout for the parking spaces at Wetherby Services.

It added that its plan to include 118 electric vehicle charging spaces would align with Moto’s strategy to increase infrastructure at its sites.

The document said:

“Electric vehicles will play a big part in the transition to zero emission transport, but to achieve these targets, it is imperative that suitable infrastructure is provided to support electric vehicles. 

“The proposed development forms part of Moto’s wider strategy to bring EV infrastructure at their services.”

The move comes as Gridserve, a sustainable energy firm in Kirk Deighton, also applied to North Yorkshire Council to install 12 charging bays within the existing services car park.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on both proposals at a later date.

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Police seize £100,000 cash in crackdown on Harrogate ‘county lines’ drug dealing

Police found £100,000 in cash as part of a week of action targeting county lines drug dealing around Harrogate.

The discovery was made at a property in Leeds, which was raided along with three others in the city and in Kirk Deighton, to disrupt links to Harrogate.

County lines crime sees organised gangs target vulnerable people, such as drug users, people with mental or physical disabilities, sex workers, or single mothers. They are often victims of ‘cuckooing’, where the gangs take over their homes and use them as a base for dealing drugs across county borders.

North Yorkshire Police tackles the issue under its Operation Expedite unit and, as part of a National Crime Agency initiative, carried out a “week of intensification” at the beginning of March.

As well as the cash recovered, it saw three people arrested for offences relating to drug dealing and handling criminal property. All three – two men aged 19 and 41, and a woman aged 26 – have since been released under investigation.

A 32-year-old who attended a police interview voluntarily was released with a warning for possession of cannabis.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Simpson, who coordinated the week of activity in North Yorkshire, said:

 “County lines drug dealing is a major priority for North Yorkshire Police, so much so that we have teams who are focused full-time on disrupting drug dealing activity.

“Although last week’s activity is part of a national week of intensification, it is indicative of the activity going on across North Yorkshire all of the time.

“The fact that we have safeguarded 70 people in one week shows our commitment to protect vulnerable people who have been or are at risk of being exploited by dealers.

“I would urge anyone with information about drug dealing in their community to call us on 101; we treat every piece of information as important.”

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Any young person worried about being targeted by county lines gangs can call Childline in confidence on 0800 1111.

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Overnight road closures on A1(M) near Harrogate

Overnight road closures are set to take place at junction 46 of the A1(M), which connects traffic to Kirk Deighton in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire County Council will resurface the roundabout above the A1(M) at junction 46. The junction gives access to Wetherby and surrounding villages.

Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the council, said:

“This is a major access point for many people, from residents to visitors arriving in the area to HGV drivers, who use the lorry park within the service facilities.

“This volume of traffic has taken its toll on the carriageway and we appreciate that the quality of the surface at this key location has been a cause of concern locally.

“Our highways officers have always worked to maintain the safety of the carriageway, but I am pleased that funding now enables us to fully resurface the roundabout.”

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Work will be carried out in two phases, from October 4 to 8 for surveys and drainage investigations, then from October 16 to 24 for resurfacing.

Overnight closures of the junction, including the slip roads from the A1(M), will occur between 8pm and 6am during those dates. A diversion will be in place.

Andy Paraskos, member for Ainsty division at the council, said:

“This is a major junction, it’s particularly important to any villagers wanting to travel towards York. The surface is poor, so I am delighted that it is now going to be resurfaced.”

Police appeal after car crashes into Kirk Deighton bus shelter

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a car crashed into a stone bus shelter in Kirk Deighton.

The 75-year-old driver and the 51-year-old male passenger suffered serious injuries and had to be taken to hospital.

The woman was driving a red Suzuki Swift south on the B6164 from Knaresborough to Wetherby when the collision happened at about 4.45pm on Friday.

The unnamed pair are both from Wetherby.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the car before the collision to get in touch.

Anyone with dashcam footage nearby is also being asked to call 101 and ask for TC161 Steve Wood.

He can also be reached via steven.wood@northyorkshire.police.uk.

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