Harrogate pop-up cycle lane construction to start in August

North Yorkshire County Council has confirmed works on the pop-up cycle lane on Beech Grove will begin in August and should be completed within six weeks.

The cycle lane is being built as part of a drive to boost active travel. It will remain in place for six months and could become permanent if it proves to be a success.

The council said it could not give an exact start date for the works but said it will be "a relatively simple and quick job".

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The project was included in the council's first round bid to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) active travel fund to which it only secured half of the £266,000 it was being offered.

Highways area manager Melisa Burnham said: “Although funding was not secured, we are committed to going ahead.

“The six-month trial will effectively give us a consultation period during which people can give their views on the cycle lane.

"Were it to become permanent, it would also link directly with the Otley Route cycle route, which is being developed, creating a seamless route into the centre of the town."

Road maintenance works on Beech Grove will also be carried out as the pop-up cycle lane is installed.

The works will start once the council has sourced segregation barriers which it said are in "very high demand".

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Once the lane is completed and at the end of the trial, a decision will be made by councillors on whether to make it permanent.

Mrs Burnham said: “Having the lane in place for a trial period will enable people to see first-hand how it operates and comment based on that.

"This will give us live feedback and, if necessary, we will be able to fine tune the design during the trial period.”

The council is preparing a second round bid under the DfT's active travel fund where £1million is available for longer term improvements for cycling and walking.

Campaigners have called for the money to be used for a cycle lane between Knaresborough and Ripon, routes on Oatlands Drive and Victoria Avenue, and a ban on cars outside some schools to ease congestion.

The council must submit its bid by 7 August.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter