People in Harrogate urged to have their say on £4.6m cycle route to be partially built on Stray

A 12-week consultation is under way on the long-delayed Otley Road cycle route project which was first outlined in 2017 but has hit a series of delays.

Because part of the proposed cycle route will take up footpath verges designated as Stray land, Harrogate Borough Council is required by law to hold a consultation.

It is seeking the views of residents on three other areas of the Stray to be used as part of a land exchange which will legally free-up the verges needed.

These options include land at Wetherby Road (rear of the hospital), St James Drive and Arthurs Avenue.

The council is also seeking views on whether to amend a Stray byelaw that will allow cycling on the route.

Coun Phil Ireland, the council's cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said: “In order for a new, safe, segregated cycleway to be implemented on the verges of Otley Road we need to hear people’s views on the exchange land options and byelaw amendments.

"We believe we have identified three suitable options to offer as exchange land and I’d urge residents to share their views."

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Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council are working together on the project.

The county council previously said designs for the majority of the cycle route have been completed and that a large part of the project would be finished by the end of the year.

The county council and housing developers are both contributing cash to the project which once completed will have cost around £4.6million.

Comments can be made until 9 November at www.harrogate.gov.uk/haveyoursay

For more information on the project go to www.harrogate.gov.uk/otleyroad

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter