Relief for Harrogate motorists as railway level crossing closure on key route in town reopens
Harrogate motorists have been relieved to discover that a key route has been reopened after six days with the end of work at a rail level crossing.
Although last month saw Network Rail carry out minor repairs and maintenance on the rail line between Cattal and Starbeck, that particular closure of Belmont Level Crossing was limited to night-time.
The last week has seen the manually controlled barriers located on Forest Lane between Starbeck and Knaresborough railway stations closed to vehicles once again – but this time it was blocked 24/7.
In normal times the inaccessibility of a key public highway linking Knaresborough Road to Woodlands via Hookstone Chase and Calcutt via Forest Moor Road would be an inconvenience.
In the context of traffic jams at Empress Roundabout caused by three sets of roadworks in the Knaresborough Road area, combined with all the rest, the level crossing closure had added insult to injury.
Temporary road signs had been erected to warn drivers of the closure at Belmont Level Crossing.
What was less easy to see is any information about what date the level crossing will reopen to road traffic.
The goods news is the level crossing is now operating normally again.
The vast majority of roadworks which have disrupted daily life across Harrogate this year have been the result of essential work by utility companies, rather than road repairs by North Yorkshire Council’s Highways Department.
That does little to ease the pain for motorists or businesses hit by roadworks time and time again in 2025.