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15
Mar 2023
Council transport boss criticises ‘hardline cycle lobby’ in Harrogate
The councillor in charge of transport at North Yorkshire County Council has criticised a “hardline cycle lobby” in Harrogate as he reflected on the decision to scrap two high-profile active travel schemes.
Cllr Keane Duncan gave a wide-ranging presentation to members of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce at the Harrogate Convention Centre on Monday night.
In January, it was confirmed the second phase of the Otley Road cycle path in Harrogate will be shelved due to negative feedback received in a public consultation.
It would have followed the first phase from Harlow Moor Road to Arthur’s Avenue that was completed last year but received widespread criticism due to a design that asks cyclists to weave on-and-off the pavement.
This has led to some cyclists choosing to ignore the route and use the road instead with critics in the consultation likening it to a crazy golf course.
Cllr Keane Duncan addressed the Station Gateway and active travel schemes at the event.
Cllr Duncan said the proposals for phase 2 received negative feedback from not only motorists but from pedestrians and cyclists too.
He said:
The executive member for highways said when moving forward with new active travel proposals in the town he will be “listening to everybody and not just those who shout the loudest”.
He added:
Read more:
- Council bids for £3m for cycling projects in Harrogate and Knaresborough
- Cycling group questions commitment to active travel in Harrogate district
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked a spokesperson for campaign group Harrogate District Cycle Action if it would like to respond to Cllr Duncan’s comments but they declined.
Cllr Duncan also spoke about why the council decided to end the Beech Grove Low Traffic Neighbourhood trial in August 2022 after 18 months.
He said the scheme “became a symbol of anti-active travel sentiment” so the planters were removed to allow the council to take stock and consider what to do next in the area.
He added:
What’s next for active travel in Harrogate?
Despite the council not moving forward with plans at Beech Grove and Otley Road, it announced in February it will be submitting another bid through the government’s Active Travel Fund.
It will seek £1.08m of initial funding to create segregated cycleways on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate.
The council will also be asking for a further £1.65m to add segregated cycle lanes on the existing cycle route between Harrogate and Knaresborough.
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