Liberal Democrat Councillors in Harrogate are disappointed that the Tory-run County Council seems to be supporting proposals for 900 new houses in the south-west of the town, and 700 in the north-west.

Liberal Democrat Councillors Les Parkes (Harrogate Harlow) and Gordon Charlton (Harrogate Saltergate) think this will cause severe congestion on already busy roads.

Harrogate Borough Council’s Conservative cabinet member for planning and transport recently approved the proposals. At today’s meeting Lib Dem Councillor Les Parkes raised the issue with the Conservative portfolio holder for planning at North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Parkes had received a letter from the County Council stating that it agrees with the Borough Council, that congestion issues can be mitigated through “demand management and local highway improvement works.”

Cllrs Parkes and Charlton said:

“It is nonsense to say that congestion issues can be mitigated. All the roads in this area are narrow and there is no space available for widening these roads or improving the junctions. All the supermarkets and doctors surgeries are the other side of town. All of this increases traffic through our area.”

Cllr Parkes added:

“In the area we have four of the top performing schools in North Yorkshire, so twice a day the roads can be gridlocked. Due to congestion on the Leeds to Harrogate road, drivers from the south use the roads in here as rat runs. Next to one of the proposed major developments is Cardale Business Park and recent approval has been granted for a further development with 400 employees.”

“In the same location are Harlow Carr Gardens and Betty’s which are so popular that they are now real economic drivers in the area. Close by is the Police Training College which is being expanded.”

“There is no way that “demand management” will alleviate the traffic problems.”

Liberal Democrat Councillors in Harrogate are delighted that the second household waste recycling centre (HWRC) for Harrogate has come a step nearer.

At today’s meeting of North Yorkshire County Council members were informed by the Conservative portfolio holder that an agreement has been reached in principle on a site.

Precise details of the site will be released when contracts are exchanged.

Liberal Democrats on the Tory-controlled council have been campaigning for several years for a new site. It is vital to relieve traffic problems on Wetherby Road because of the Stonefall site.

Lib Dem Councillor John Marshall (Harrogate Central) said:

“I am very pleased that the Council finally seems to be making progress on this. But it clearly would not be happening without hard work and pressure from the Liberal Democrats.”

Lib Dem colleague Councillor Steve Macaré (also representing Harrogate Central) added:

“This is vital for our area. Stonefall is the largest Household Waste Recycling Centre in Yorkshire, causing huge traffic problems on the A661 Wetherby Road in Harrogate. Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for a new HWRC for our area, to take the pressure off Stonefall, for some years.”