UCI cycling bosses speak out after agreeing to pay towards Harrogate Stray work

Yorkshire 2019 used part of the Stray as a spectator area for the cycling event in September last year - and heavy rain and machinery left it badly damaged.

The organisers will now pay £35,500 towards the repairs costs - and an extra £95,000 of council cash will be spent on upgrades.

Chris Pilling, chairman of Yorkshire 2019, said: "328 million people all over the world saw the beauty of Harrogate and the amazing world class sport that happened here in the most challenging of Yorkshire weather conditions.

"The impact of the weather was beyond everyone’s expectations and as the company now formally closes, we are pleased to make a significant financial contribution to help the council restore the Stray for the benefit of the local community, and for the many visitors that research shows will be inspired to come to Harrogate for many years to come.”

He added: “Yorkshire 2019 would like to thank Harrogate Borough Council for their positive professional partnership to help deliver the UCI Road World Cycling Championships here in Yorkshire."

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Harrogate Borough Council said work has begun this week and will be completed by September.

In addition to restoring the grassed area, pavements and footpaths, the council has decided to also fix drainage issues in the area.

The total bill includes:

- £38,105 for repairs to grassed areas of West Park Stray (including a contribution of £35,500 from Yorkshire 2019)

- £65,385 for pavement, footpaths, fencing, bedding and verge repairs, reinstatement of bins and benches

- £20,156 to fix long-standing drainage issues

- £6,325 project management and delivery costs.

Hollywood composer's tribute to Harrogate music legendA study commissioned by the council said the cycling event resulted in an economic boost to the local economy of £17.8m.

However, the study carried out by Ernst and Young did not take into account losses by businesses in the area affected by road closures and falls in town centre footfall.

Yorkshire 2019 was set up by the government to deliver the event and is now being dissolved.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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