Time for action as councils aim to solve puzzle of Harrogate's congested Kingsley Drive

Harrogate's 'road from hell' leaves unhappy residents calling for action

Such is the level of anger in the area, there have even been reports of verbal exchanges at times between residents and lorry drivers.

The traffic calming measure proposals for the Kingsley area, such as speed platforms, are as a result of planning conditions by Harrogate Borough Council associated with the Stonebridge Homes development off Kingsley Road.

In addition to this proposal for traffic calming measures, there are also planning conditions associated with the Persimmon Homes development to introduce a ‘No Entry’ restriction from Kingsley Road into Kingsley Drive and a similar arrangement on Wreaks Road.

On the face of it, residents who formed Kingsley Ward Action Group after becoming fed up with what they say are intolerable conditions, might have been expected to welcome the new measures.

Harrogate's worst area for new housing prompts residents' campaign

Having complained to both local authorities about the dirt and disruption caused on a daily basis by HGV lorries in their over-crowded streets, Harrogate council has recently drawn up enforcement orders in respect of three of the housing developers.

And North Yorkshire County Council says an “improved cleansing regime” for lorries in the area has led to a reduction in complaints.

Coun Don Mackenzie, executive member for transport, said: “The roads in the area are public highways and can be used by HGVs.

“There is a 7.5tonne ‘environmental’ weight restriction covering Bogs Lane with an ‘except for access exemption. I believe this was introduced to prevent HGVs from rat running.

“The county council and Harrogate Borough Council are having joint progress meetings with the developers - Stonebridge, Persimmon and Barratts.

“This has enabled an improved cleansing regime to be put into place which is jointly funded by the developers.”

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said: “We have served a planning enforcement notice on Barratt Homes (19/00054/BRPC - Kingsley Road) preventing vehicles travelling to and from the site dropping mud, grit and dirt on the highway. Barratt Homes have since complied with the terms of this notice.

“Two further enforcement notices for similar issues have been authorised for the Persimmon (19/00539/BRPC) and Stonebridge (10/00540/BRPC - Kingsley Road) development sites.

“However, these notices have not been served following further monitoring and discussions with North Yorkshire County Council in view of the current compliance and their increased efforts to deal with the matter.

Swamped - spare a thought for Harrogate street hit by new housing sites

“We are aware of the concerns and will continue to monitor the situation.”

But residents say none of the proposals will improve their lives in the face of the two over-arching issues - the sheer volume of house building and the inevitable increase in car traffic in an area whose only link to the rest of town is the already congested Knaresborough Road.

One Kingsley resident who has been listed as an objector in North Yorkshire’s traffic calming report to be discussed tomorrow said simply: “The traffic calming proposals are now out of date with the current number of approved developments.”