Harrogate Sustainable Improvement Package – West Harrogate
We have been awarded funding from the government's National Productivity Investment fund to deliver a Sustainable Transport Package in the West of Harrogate.
With contributions from ourselves and developers, the total package will deliver £4.6m of improvements.
What will the package of improvements include?
Among the planned upgrades are improvements to junctions on Otley Road including smart traffic lights, extra traffic lanes, a new off road cycle lane to link into the developing cycle network and new or improved pedestrian crossings. These engineering measures will be complimented by an investment into the ‘softer’ measures such as publicity and education regarding sustainable travel.
The package of sustainable measures will help to improve safety and alleviate the levels of congestion currently experienced along the Otley Road corridor, accommodating the existing traffic and future growth of Harrogate as recognised in the former Harrogate Borough Council’s draft Local Plan.
Surveys and design work in relation to the ‘off road’ Otley Road cycle route and junction upgrade at Harlow Moor Road with Otley Road commenced in April 2018. The local highways team will be keeping the public up to date regarding design, programme and delivery over the next 18 months here.
Public engagement event - 21 January 2019
We hosted a public engagement event at Harrogate Grammar school in January 2019. This event focused on the designs of Harlow Moor Road Junction and the Otley Road cycle route, schemes that have been developed as part of a wider package to improve congestion and the impact of future trip demand on the highway network.
Attended by over 200 Harrogate residents and stakeholder representatives, the attendees were provided with the opportunity to discuss the draft pans with the designers. All comments were noted and have been considered as part of the final design of the schemes. A number of the key questions raised at the event have been collated in the question and answers document.
Scheme updates
Otley road cycle route
The cycle route has been designed off road along the wide footpath and verges of Otley Road. It has been designed to take cyclists on both sides of the road on segregated routes where site constraints allow, otherwise shared – approximately 42 per cent segregated and 58 per cent shared. The design has included a number of new junction upgrades to introduce two new Toucan facilities for cyclists. The designs can be found at the links below:
The design includes the use of the Stray, requiring a change in byelaw. This must be implemented by North Yorkshire Council local highways team are liaising with Harrogate Officers. It is likely that the legal requirements associated with the Stray will not be concluded by the scheme start date. If this is the case, delivery of the cycle route will need to be split into phases.
The first phase to be delivered will be Harlow Moor Road to Arthur’s Avenue and the second phase, Arthurs Avenue to the Town Centre will be delivered at a later date once the use of the Stray and associated requirements have been concluded.
There will be a third phase that continues the route from Harlow Moor Road to Cardale Park. This element will be developer funded and discussions are ongoing regarding the design and delivery of this section. We will continue to work with the developers to ensure the appropriate standards are consistent with the off road cycle route delivered by us.
North Yorkshire Council Officers are currently considering locations where surfaced areas can be returned to grass. Appropriate consultations and permissions must then take place.
Harlow Moor Road junction
Improvements at the junction of Harlow Moor Road with Otley Road will see the widening of the junction and the introduction of a left turn lane into Harlow Moor Road. This improvement will address the impact of queuing traffic in the short term but has also been designed to allow the capacity of future growth identified in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan. The final design can be found at the links below:
In February 2021 we introduced an 18 month experimental restrictions to Beech Grove and Lancaster Road which prohibited through traffic (often referred to as a Low Traffic Neighbourhood or LTN).
A Low Traffic Neighbourhood is essentially an area where non-residential through traffic is prevented in order to create quieter residential streets with less vehicular traffic, where residents can enjoy a quieter neighbourhood and feel safer when walking and cycling. This scheme was trialled for an 18 month period:
The scheme was aimed at preventing motorists from outside the area driving through residential areas through the use of ‘modal filters” or “traffic filters” which can be installed by means of various measures but planters alongside bollards(for emergency services access) were used at this location. It was possible to walk and cycle through the filters and access was available for residents, their visitors, deliveries, emergency vehicles, refuse collections and taxi/ private hire vehicles.
Next steps – October 2022
Following the conclusion of the experimental modal filter residents have been invited to respond to a consolation letter asking for their views on two options for this area (please see the links below). Once the consultation is concluded the feedback will be assessed and an update will be provided regarding the way forward for this area.
This consultation will run from 24 October to 12 December 2022 (the consultation period has been extended by two weeks).
Further to the initial consultation letter and invite to a public meeting held on 11 November, we are extending the consultation period for a further two weeks, ending 12 December 2022. Letters are being posted to local residents to advise of this extended consultation period and invite them to a second meeting on 5 December between midday and 2pm at the Harrogate Civic Centre. This will provide another opportunity to discuss the proposals with us.
site works commenced as planned on Monday 20 September
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue), excavations for the carriageway widening to the west of Harlow Moor Road have commenced
excavations have begun on Otley Road to the West of the Harlow Moor Road junction
Activities planned for next week: 27 September to 3 October:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue), new kerbing to be laid, along with new ducts and drainage
works to the carriageway widening to the East of Harlow Moor Road to commence
phase 3 of the works (Hill Rise Avenue to Pannal Ash Drive) works at the Manor Drive / Pannal Ash Road junction to commence
For the weekends commencing 2/3 October temporary traffic lights will be installed on the Harlow Moor Road and Otley Road junction, due to works to the power supply for the permanent signals. Temporary signals will remain on a weekend until works have been completed to restore the permanent signals.
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27 September to 1 October 2021 update
Progress this week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
excavations for the carriageway widening to the west of Harlow Moor Road continued
the bad weather hampered the intended activities of kerbing and drainage
new ducts for BT were laid across the Harlow Moor Road junction
excavations East of Harlow Moor Road have commenced
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use over the weekend, but the road closures will be lifted and re-instated on Monday
phase 3 activities delayed until next week, due to bad weather
Activities planned for next week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
new kerbing to be laid, along with new ducts and drainage
Northern Gas to adjust their services to accommodate the new kerb line
street lighting columns to be disconnected and removed
the excavations are to be constructed up to sub-base level
the permanent traffic signals will be removed
phase 3 (Hill Rise Avenue to Pannal Ash Drive) works at the Manor Drive / Pannal Ash Road junction to commence. Harlow Oval will be closed to traffic, with narrow lanes to accommodate the working area
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4 to 8 October 2021 update
Progress this week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
kerbing has commenced
drainage activities and new gullies installed
the traffic signal equipment has started being removed
excavations East of Harlow Moor Road have commenced
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use over the weekend, but the road closures will be lifted and re-instated on Monday
phase 3 activities delayed until next week, due to bad weather
Activities planned for next week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
Northern Gas to adjust their services to accommodate the new kerb line
kerbing to continue
street lighting columns to be disconnected and removed
the excavations are to be constructed up to sub-base level
works at Harlow Oval to commence, will be closed to traffic, with narrow lanes to accommodate the working area
phase 3 (Hill Rise Avenue to Pannal Ash Drive) works at the Manor Drive / Pannal Ash Road junction to commence
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21 October 2021 update
Progress this week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
kerbing is continuing
drainage activities and new gullies installed
the traffic signal equipment has started to be installed
sub-base has been laid
excavations East of Harlow Moor Road have completed
kerbing and drainage has been installed in the excavated areas East or Harlow Moor Road
tactile paving for the new pedestrian crossings has commenced
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use over the weekend, but the road closures will be lifted and re-instated on Monday
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
excavations have commenced
Activities planned for next week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
kerbing to continue
tactile paving for the new pedestrian crossings to continue
street lighting columns to be disconnected and removed
the excavations will continue to be laid up to sub-base level
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
works at Harlow Oval to continue, with narrow lanes to accommodate the working area
works at Manor Road are expected to commence mid-week utilising three way temporary traffic lights and Manor Road to be closed, a diversion will be in place
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28 October 2021 update
Progress of the works is going very well and this week the team report:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
kerbing being completed
sub-base has been laid
drainage now installed and completed
tactile paving to be completed
sub-base now fully laid
the road closure will be removed Friday evening
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
excavations have commenced
the new kerb line is being installed
Activities for week commencing 1 November 2021:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
surfacing to binder course to commence
works to the south side of the junction to commence
NGN to attend site
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
works at Harlow Oval to continue, with narrow lanes to accommodate the working area
works at Manor Road are expected to commence mid-week utilising three way temporary traffic lights and Manor Road to be closed, a diversion will be in place
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4 November 2021 update
Progress this week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
kerbing completed
tactile paving completed
NGN attended site and completed their works
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
new kerb line installed
phase 2 (Manor Road)
road closure in place
existing kerbs removed
Activities planned for next week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
carriageway surfacing to binder course to commence
footway surfacing to commence
lighting columns to be removed
new lighting columns installed
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
footway surfacing to commence
phase 2 (Manor Road)
new kerb line to be installed
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8 November 2021 update
Progress this week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
surfacing has been completed to binder course
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
new kerb line installed
tactile paving installed
phase 2 (Manor Road)
road closure in place
new kerb line constructed
tactile paving installed
road closure removed
Activities planned for next week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
lighting columns to be removed
new lighting columns installed
works to the south side of the junction to commence
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
footway surfacing to commence
phase 2 (Manor Road)
three way temporary traffic lights to be installed
works to the south-side of this junction to commence
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15 November 2021 update
Progress this week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
surfacing has been completed to binder course
works to the south side of the junction have started, new kerb line is being installed
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use
siding out and a new carriageway crossing for the traffic signals to be completed on Saturday 20 November
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
new kerb line installed
footway surfacing has commenced
tactile paving installed
phase 2 (Manor Road)
new kerb line constructed
tactile paving installed
south-side new kerb line being constructed
Activities planned for next week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
new traffic signal equipment to be installed
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
footway surfacing to continue
phase 2 (Manor Road)
three way temporary traffic lights to be installed
works to the south-side of this junction to continue
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22 November 2021 update
The scheme is progressing well, due to a slow start we now expect the site activities to be complete on Friday 17 December.
Progress this week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
works to the south side of the junction have started, new kerb line is being installed
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use
new traffic signal equipment is being installed
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
new kerb line installed
footway surfacing has commenced
tactile paving installed
phase 2 (Manor Road)
new kerb line constructed
tactile paving installed
south-side new kerb line being constructed
three way temporary traffic lights to remain in use
Activities planned for next week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
footway surfacing to commence
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
footway surfacing to continue
new traffic signal equipment to be installed
phase 2 (Manor Road)
works to the south-side of this junction to continue
Carriageway surfacing:
Otley Road will be closed to vehicles, each week-night commencing Tuesday 30 November, between the hours of 7pm and 3pm. We expect night-time surfacing activities to continue until Friday 10 December
planing off of the existing carriageway surface course to commence
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9 December 2021 update
Bad weather has had an impact on the night time surfacing activities, we now expect these to continue into next week and be complete by 17 December.
Progress this week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
works to the footpaths are continuing
the temporary traffic lights will remain in use
new traffic signal equipment is being installed
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
footway surfacing has commenced
tactile paving installed
phase 2 (Manor Road)
tactile paving installed
three way temporary traffic lights to remain in use
Activities planned for next week:
phase 1 (College Road to Hill Rise Avenue)
footway surfacing to continue
phase 3 (Pannal Ash Drive to Pannal Ash Road)
footway surfacing to continue
new traffic signal equipment to be installed
phase 2 (Manor Road)
works to the south-side of this junction to continue
Carriageway surfacing
Otley Road will be closed to vehicles, each week-night commencing Tuesday 30 November, between the hours of 7pm and 3pm. We expect night-time surfacing activities to continue until 17 December
planing off of the existing carriageway surface course has been completed
new surface course is being laid
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5 January 2022 update
We are on programme to complete by Friday 14 January, weather permitting.
Works will be taking place this Saturday 8 January during daytime working.
Progress this week:
high friction surfacing to be laid
carriageway lining to be completed
tactile paving to be completed
Activities planned for next week:
footway surfacing to be completed
no street lighting columns to be connected
the carriageway detection loops for the new traffic signals to be installed
the new traffic signals at Pannal Ash Road and Harlow Moor Road junctions are to be commissioned
all traffic management to be removed and the new traffic signals to be in operation
13 January 2022 update
We are on programme to complete by Friday 21 January, weather permitting
Works will be taking place this Saturday 14 January during daytime working.
Progress this week:
footway surfacing has continued
tactile surfacing has been installed
four new street lighting columns have been connected
the carriageway detection loops at Pannal Ash Road Junction have been installed
the carriageway detection loops at Harlow Moor Road junction
Activities planned for next week:
footway surfacing to be completed
the remaining tactile surfacing to be completed
to accommodate the footway surfacing on the Southern side of Otley Road, it will be necessary to operate two way temporary traffic signals and a mobile lane closure. The lane closure will start at near to Pannal Ash Road junction and move northbound as the surfacing progresses towards Harlow Moor Road
lining to be completed
the new traffic signals at Pannal Ash Road and Harlow Moor Road junctions are to be commissioned
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21 January 2022 update
The resurfacing of the Southern footway on Otley Road will continue on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 January during daytime working.
Progress this week:
the new traffic signals at both the Pannal Ash Road and Harlow Moor Road junctions are now in operation
the temporary traffic lights at these junctions have been removed
white lining has been completed
footway resurfacing has continued on the Southern side of Otley Road
Activities planned for next week:
the remaining signs to be installed on the new cycleway and footway
the remaining street furniture to be installed
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28 January 2022 update
Thank you for your continued patience whilst these junction improvement works are taking place.
The Scalby Road closure is expected to be extended until mid-February whilst utility works continue. Northern Gas Network will be working over the weekend using temporary two way lights on Falsgrave Road. Northern Powergrid have continued with their diversion works and both utility companies will be continuing with their works next week. Our contractor has laid the new binder course on the footway on Scalby Road and the pedestrian crossing.
Next week we are planning to start the footway works on Falsgrave Road which will include the installation of four new tree pits.
