Poor roads blight town
From: Paul Ashfield, Harrogate.
HARROGATE Borough Council congratulates itself on completing its house building target, but little is affordable.
The town’s expansion has not been supported by infrastructure and services development. It is more of a dormitory town for people working in the West Riding and York. Traffic congestion is now paralysing, cycling and walking never took off and public transport is ineffective. Bus routes continued to be cut and promised rail investment never materialised. The vision of opening the rail link to Ripon lies dormant.
Relief roads with suitable access and other roads were never built. Minor and local roads continue to deteriorate apace and are so badly potholed that traffic proceeds at 12mph or less, contributing to congestion and making cycling hazardous. Little additional parking has been provided and parking is difficult and contributes to congestion.
The town centre has lost many shops and restaurants and, despite residential developments, now has the neglected look of an industrial town. Flora and parks have sadly been neglected and many nearby once pleasant green vistas have disappeared.
The house price premium Harrogate once enjoyed has now evaporated. The specialness the town once had has gone, as have many of the ‘architects’ of this scenario.
From: Tim Walls, Harrogate.
THE recent obsession with the sport of cycling is of absolutely no benefit for the majority of Harrogate residents. Parking in town during the World Championships in September will be virtually impossible. Many businesses will be virtually inaccessible. Absolutely barking!