Rail strikes to cause six days of Harrogate district disruptionRail operator Northern has told passengers to expect six days of disruption during the next wave of strikes.
The RMT union has scheduled strikes on Saturday, November 5, Monday, November 7 and Wednesday, November 9 as part of an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.
Northern, which operates the line passing through Knaresborough and Harrogate, today advised people not to travel by train on those days.
It also warned that “services are also expected to be affected” on November 6, 8 and 10 November.
The company added disruption would occur “especially in the morning, so please check before you travel”.
The RMT previously announced a strike on November 3, however, this was cancelled and Northern said trains will be operating as usual that day.
The company said in a statement:
“On strike days, only travel by rail if necessary and if you do travel, expect severe disruption and plan ahead — especially the first and last trains of the day. Remember to check your entire journey as other train service providers may be affected.
“Advanced tickets will be withdrawn from sale, until an alternative strike timetable is in place.”
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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district updateTraffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 in Knaresborough, which have been causing delays this month, are due to remain in place until November 11.
Yorkshire Water has installed four-way traffic lights as it lays a new water main for a housing development.
In Harrogate, roadworks on the notorious Wetherby Road in Harrogate have been causing delays all week.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until Friday.
The map also indicates a slew of traffic lights this week on nearby Skipton Road, between the Empress roundabout and King’s Road.
In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
Roadworks on the notorious Wetherby Road in Harrogate have been causing delays all week.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, maintenance work will be carried out by Northern Gas Networks until Friday.
In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
Work to reconstruct the landslip-hit B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, is ongoing.
The road is closed and a diversion is in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.
Trains and buses
Rail operator Northern is not reporting any problems on the line passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning. The live departure and arrival board for Harrogate doesn’t currently show any delays.
The Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems. You can get updates here.
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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district updateNo new issues today on the main routes into Harrogate, such as Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road, but traffic on Wetherby Road has been particularly bad in recent days.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.
Roads
Temporary traffic lights are still in place on the A661 Harrogate Road near Spofforth. The lights are in place while Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work and are due to last until October 18.
In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
Stop go boards are due to be in place on John Street today and on Harcourt Drive.
Roadworks on the Boroughbridge Road at Scriven are likely to cause delays for motorists travelling between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.
Looking ahead, roadworks are due to begin o Cold Bath Road on Monday. Work is also scheduled to begin on Monday to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, which suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020.
The scheme requires the road to be closed from October 17 to December 9. A diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.
Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley on Monday. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 an a weight limit has been in pace since.
Details of the scheme are here.
Trains and buses
Train operator Northern has issued this today:
“Due to significant IT issues this morning, Northern currently do not have access to update any customer information systems. This means that live departure board screens at Northern managed stations may not show the most recent updates and PA systems can not be used.”
The Harrogate Bus Company is not currently reporting any cancellations but you can get updates here.
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Northern announces flash sale of £1.50 Harrogate line tickets to LeedsTrain operator Northern has announced a flash sale of £1.50 return tickets from Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds this week.
The ticket drop, which is expected to be sold out by about 5pm today, is timed to help people get to and from the Light Night Leeds, a free event showcasing art in the dark.
As part of its Go Do Your Thing after work campaign, Northern is offering more than 2,000 £1.50 advance purchase tickets.
Passengers on the Harrogate line, which also includes Knaresborough, Starbeck, Hornbeam Park, Pannal, Weeton and Cattal, are eligible for the deal.
Tickets are available for journeys into Leeds between 4pm to 6pm and departing Leeds 8pm to 10pm on Thursday’s opening night.
The promotional fares are available only through Northern’s website and app.
Light Night Leeds features are and performances by artists across the city.
Light Night Leeds
Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said:
“Light Night Leeds is a highlight in the region’s cultural calendar. The £1.50 ticket drop is our way of helping our customers go do their thing after work, with fares that will get you there for less.
“Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis – so those looking to take advantage should book early to avoid disappointment. When they’re gone, they’re gone.”
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Traffic and Travel: Harrogate district updatesRoads
Temporary traffic lights were due to arrive last week on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road, according to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map. The work, due to last for five weeks by Northern Gas Networks, did not begin, but it is likely to do so this week.
Traffic control in the form of stop / go boards is due to be active for two days at the junction of Skipton Road and Regent Parade.
Roadworks remain in place on Montpellier Road in Harrogate, as well as on Crescent Road. The latter works mean motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.
Resurfacing work at Abbey Road in Knaresborough are due to be in place until October 21 so resurfacing can take place. A road closure and signed diversion will be in place during the works.
The Fellbeck bridge closure, which involves a diversion, is scheduled to last until November 12.
Trains and buses
No reported problems on Northern trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough this morning after Saturday’s rail strikes.
Good news for rail passengers on Harrogate’s LNER services after major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail caused disruption to services for almost two weeks. However, the 7.44am York to London service has been cancelled.
The Harrogate Bus Company is not reporting any problems this morning after police closed the A61 between Ripley and Ripon last night.
You can check bus service updates here.
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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district updateAnother day of strikes on the rail network means no trains on the Harrogate and Knaresborough line.
Roadworks are affecting several key routes in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough. The wet condition are also likely to cause problems.
Roads
Delays are likely due to roadworks at York Place in Harrogate. according to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map.
Roadworks are also scheduled for Duchy Road and the lane closure remains in place at Crescent Road.
The roadworks on Dragon Road are due to be in place until Friday.
Delays are also expected due to work outside the Curious Cow pub, where Otley Road meets Skipton Road.
The A59 York Road, between Station Road and the A658 at Goldsborough, remains closed overnight until October 6. A diversion will be in place.
The closure will be in place while North Yorkshire County Council carries out resurfacing work. The council website says the work will be carried out between 8pm and 5am but one reader told us yesterday it was until 6am.
At Blossomgate in Ripon, work is due to take place to replace and reset the kerb and improve the road.
Trains and buses
There are no Northern trains today due to a rail strike.
The company is not operating trains today and says there will be “a very limited service on Saturday and customers are advised not to travel” when another strike is planned.
Services are also expected to be affected on Sunday, especially in the morning.
The Harrogate Bus Company has produced a guide to alternative travel on strike days. You can read it here.
Harrogate commuters set for fewer ‘leaves on the line’ delays?Rail operator Northern is fitting new technology to its trains to combat leaves on the line, which can cause autumn frustration for commuters.
Leaves stick to damp rails and are compressed into a smooth, slippery layer, reducing the trains’ grip.
This can delay services so Northern is fitting what it describes as ‘leaf-busting’ technology to 16 of its 170 passenger trains operating between Leeds, Harrogate, and York.
Routes between Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull and Scarborough will also be upgraded. The locations were chosen because they are some of those most affected by leaves.
The technology – Water-Trak – creates rainy-day conditions on the rail surface by spraying a small amount of water from the train onto the track when a slippery rail is detected.
While this might appear counter-intuitive, researchers discovered that leaf-coated rails only become slippery when damp, and that trains stop safely in heavy rain.
Rob Cummings, seasonal improvement manager at Northern, said:
“This is the next step in finding a solution to tricky autumn conditions. One of the biggest risks to our performance during October and November is leaves on the line, but by helping to develop new innovative technology we aim to deliver the very best service for our passengers.”
Two of Northern’s Class 319s fitted with Water-Trak have been successfully operating in passenger service since late October 2021. The trials with Northern are being run thanks to funding from Network Rail’s performance innovation fund.
John Cooke, co-founder at Water-Trak, said:
“We are really excited to be working with Northern to show how Water-Trak can help to solve the age-old problem of leaves on the line.”
Harrogate and Knaresborough commuters face further strikesTrain services between Harrogate and Leeds look set be affected by three days of strikes in the next two weeks.
Both the RMT union and Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen have announced industrial action this Saturday (October 1), Wednesday (October 5) and next Saturday (October 8).
Northern, which operates services between Harrogate and Knaresborough towards Leeds and York, has urged passengers not to travel on days when strike action is being held.
A statement from the company said:
“As a result of ASLEF and RMT strike action, Northern customers are advised not to travel on Saturday 1, Wednesday 5 or Saturday 8 October.
“Services are also expected to be affected on Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 October, especially in the morning, so please check before you travel.”
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The strike action comes as rail passengers have also been warned to expect disruption on Harrogate’s LNER services from October 1.
Major engineering works in the Newcastle area by Network Rail will affect many services on the LNER route during this period.
The company operates six daily direct trains from Harrogate to London.
The disruption is set to last until October 9.
Some Harrogate train tickets sold for £1 in Northern ‘flash sale’One million train tickets, including services from Harrogate and Knaresborough, have been made available by Northern for just £1.
The tickets were released at 10am this morning as part of a “flash sale” promotion. They are being sold on a first come, first served basis and are spread over Northern’s almost 2,000 daily services to more than 500 stations.
People can buy the tickets online – on Northern’s website or its app – and tickets must be purchased at least seven days in advance of travel.
They must be for journeys taking place between Tuesday, September 6 and Thursday, October 20.
Mark Powles, customer and commercial director at Northern, said:
“This is our way of helping to extend the summer holiday feeling by a further six weeks – getting people through until the start of the October half term.
“Whether it’s for a weekend in the historic city of Chester, a night out in Newcastle; a day at the seaside in Scarborough or a walking holiday in the Lake District – these fares will get you where you want to be for less.”
Between 5% and 10% of its service capacity will be available at the discounted rate.
However, some peak services are excluded from the deal, as are services to events that the train operator already predicts will be busy.
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Rail strike: No trains through Harrogate and Knaresborough as walkout beginsNo trains will run through Harrogate and Knaresborough today as unions hold the first day of strike action.
The two-day walkout will affect services to York and Leeds and see a reduced timetable at other stations.
There will also be no trains running through Harrogate and Knaresborough on Saturday.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers’ union and Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association are staging the national walkout over pay and conditions.
Northern, which operates trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough, has advised passengers not to travel on its services.
Ticket machines at Harrogate Train Station advising people not to travel on strike days.
It added that passengers may still face disruption on non-strike days.
Northern said:
“RMT and TSSA unions have called for industrial action on Thursday 18 and Saturday 20 August. We are advising Northern customers not to travel on these days.
“We also expect disruption to services on Friday 19 and Sunday 21 August, especially in the morning. Customers are urged to check before they travel on these days.”
LNER, which operates direct services to London King’s Cross from Harrogate, has also warned passengers may face disruption on its services on non-strike days.
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