New speed limits will be introduced outside a series of schools in Harrogate under plans for North Yorkshire’s largest ever 20mph zone.
We have today (Wednesday, 6 September) unveiled proposals for an extensive 20mph zone covering streets across the Pannal Ash and Oatlands areas of the town.
The proposed area for the new zone includes a total of seven schools in Harrogate. These are Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett Acre Primary School, Rossett School, Ashville College, St Aidan’s Church of England High School, Oatlands Junior School and Oatlands Infants School.
Executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “This is the most significant 20mph zone the council has ever introduced.
“Our plan will see 20mph limits introduced outside seven more schools and on nearby residential streets, meaning thousands of children can enjoy safer journeys every day.
“This landmark proposal is testament to the collective determination of schools, families and councillors to respond to public concerns and deliver ambitious action. It sets a positive example and leads the way for communities across North Yorkshire.”
A proposed £585,000 package of sustainable transport measures for the west of Harrogate has also been announced today.
Cllr Duncan said: “We halted unpopular plans for phase two of the Otley Road cycleway to develop an alternative package of measures.
“This decision means we are now able to invest in signal improvements, new crossings, cycling improvements and new bus stops instead.
“This alternative package will be of immense and lasting benefit to all road users - motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and bus passengers.”
The National Productivity Investment Fund package will be used to deliver parts of the new 20mph zone, as well as upgraded signals at the Cold Bath Road/Otley Road/Arthurs Avenue junction.
There will also be improvements to bus stops along Otley Road, the crossing outside Falcon Chiropractic on Cold Bath Road, and a new crossing will be installed outside Western Primary School on Cold Bath Road.
Improvements will be made to cycle route signing, the crossing between Green Lane public right of way and Ashville College, and there will be new cycle parking and public realm improvements on Cold Bath Road. Nursery Lane will be upgraded to allow cyclists to use as an off-road leisure route.
The first School Street initiative started today at Oatlands Junior School, whereby Beechwood Grove is closed to traffic at pick-up and drop-off times to create a safer environment and encourage more children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.
The pilot has been implemented for an experimental 18-month period to allow for its impact to be monitored and assessed. A decision will then be made whether to make the scheme permanent once a review has been carried out.
Members of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee will be asked to provide feedback on the proposed 20mph and transport package at a meeting on Thursday, September 14.
The plans will then be considered for approval by Cllr Duncan, with the aim of implementing the measures early next year.