Revised traffic plans for spa town

REVISED PLANS to try to reduce congestion along a busy commuter route in one of Yorkshire’s traffic blackspots are set to be debated.

North Yorkshire County Council will hold an informal meeting with the public next month to discuss its revised plans for the junction at A61 Leeds Road and Leadhall Lane and Hookstone Road in Harrogate, in the wake of traffic concerns following the release of the authority’s draft report on planned improvements in March.

The council is now urging further discussion and feedback on the revised proposals following the meeting on June 2 before a decision on the way forward is made in July.

“We have listened very carefully to what people have had to say and we have worked very hard to take account of all the responses,” said Coun Gareth Dadd, the county council’s executive member for highways.

“We want to make sure we have taken on board as wide a range of views as possible about the changes to be made to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at this very busy junction.”

Coun Dadd added: “We now look forward to further discussion on our revised plan before a final decision is taken in July.”

The revised plan includes proposals to introduce improved traffic signals, bringing in parallel parking outside the Oatlands Parade shops and removing the protected right turn into Vernon Road.

A public consultation is also due to be carried out on a potential “no entry” restriction at the Vernon Road junction to improve traffic flow and road safety.

A final report on the proposals will go before the July 3 meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s business and environmental services corporate director and executive members, for a final decision on the way forward.