Social distancing measures in Harrogate and Knaresborough extended - with 'attractive' planters to replace traffic cones

North Yorkshire County Council has announced parking suspensions and road closures introduced in the towns to give priority to pedestrians will be extended until 31 January.

Traffic cones along James Street and Albert Street in Harrogate will also be replaced with "much more attractive" planters, the council said.

It comes after a planned trial to pedestrianise James Street was delayed after complaints from the town's business sector.

North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council had hoped to test out the idea this year - but have now pushed it back to 2021.

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The authorities said they had listened to feedback from businesses and will keep the current measures under review.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, the county council's executive member for access said: “We are committed to supporting the county’s recovery while ensuring people can visit shops safely and buy local. We hope that these measures are making shoppers feel confident to visit our high streets as we approach the Christmas shopping period.”

Parking spaces between Princes Square and West Park on the A61 in Harrogate will also be reopened under the recently announced changes.

Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, added: “Feedback from both businesses and visitors alike has been positive and I’m glad these measures have encouraged people back to the high street that it so desperately needs.”

The full list of changes will be updated online at www.northyorks.gov.uk/social-distancing-measures

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter