Harrogate road closure disruption - what authorities say about it

Motorists and residents have been getting most heated about two pinch points with lengthy queues, in particular, Penny Pot Lane and Kingsley Road which are seeing lengthy queues.

North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, said it was aware of the disruption in the Penny Pot area which is to allow a water supply for a new Penny Pot Lane housing site to be installed by Yorkshire Water.

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What North Yorkshire County Council says

Coun Don Mackenzie, the county council’s executive member for access and transport said: “Harrogate is a rapidly expanding town and disruption to travel by road must be expected from time to time whilst construction takes place.

"I am aware that the developer works on Skipton Road and Penny Pot Lane have caused traffic delays and frustration since Monday, February 3.

"I have been responding to individual contacts by email and to social media postings in order to explain the situation.

I have reminded residents that these very substantial residential construction sites will inevitably affect traffic on the existing highways network, especially when new estate entrances are being constructed (as is the case at both sites) and new utility equipment is being installed under the highway (various services for Skipton Road development and new water supply for Penny Pot Lane site by Yorkshire Water).

"Skipton Road has temporary lights and Penny Pot Lane is closed to through traffic but remains open for local householders.

"Utility companies and contractors have a statutory right to have access to their existing equipment or install new on or under the highway.

While North Yorkshire County Council makes every effort to avoid multiple closures or restrictions occurring at the same time within close proximity, it would have been unreasonable to deny a permit to either developer in this case.

"As it happens, permits were refused for other town locations for the duration of these works.

"It should also be borne in mind that Penny Pot Lane is not an identified diversion route for Skipton Road.

"The permit for Skipton Road is valid from January 6 until 27 March 27.

"For Penny Pot Lane is valid from February 3-21.

"North Yorkshire County Council maintains regular contact with both sets of developers and contractors, and is urging strict adherence to the permitted timetable of works.Our website is regularly updated giving details of progress and featuring FAQs.

KIngsley Road problems

The other current traffic pinch point involves the six-week closure of Kingsley Road caused by utility improvement related to new housing developments which are currently extensive in the Kingsley/Bogs Lane area is to allow the installation of a water pipe.

Road works timetable for Harrogate at Penny Pot, Skipton Road and KIngsley Road

Housing developments are leading to utility works and regular road closures in different spots in the Harrogate district:

Skipton Road has temporary lights until March 27;

Penny Pot Lane is closed to through traffic until February 21 but is open for householders;

Kingsley Road will be closed until March 20.

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