Lets make some noise - Cycling provision in Harrogate

The nice people At the Harrogate Cycle Group, Wheel Easy and Harrogate's very own Sustrans Rangers have put a report together of what they achieved with lobbying and consultation in 2011.

I will update you after Christmas with all that has happened in Harrogate in 2012. If like me you knew little about their work it is worth remembering this. If you use any of the cycle provision in Harrogate they are probably responsible for getting it there. Left to their own devices our local government would have almost certainly have done a lots less than what you see now and quite possibly nothing.

When I am getting into one of my splenetic rants about cycling provision and local government its worth remembering that these people had to start from scratch. They do it for free and they occasionally deal not only with our Council's officers, but hot headed, grumpy, impatient people like me.

Anyway here are the highlights and its worth having a look at the full report to get an idea of what they have been involved in.

Completed Projects 2010/2011.

• Bogs Lane cycle ramp
• The Avenue cycle ramp
• Weekly cleaning by HBC of Asda cycle path
• Improved safer crossing from Sainsbury’s to Stonefall.
• Cycle path through showground to Traveller’s Rest
• Fence repaired on Skipton Road bridge preventing illegal access
• Covered bike stand at Hornbeam Station Car Park
• Newly widened paths from Dragon Bridge to Dene Park and Bilton Lane
• New path and ramp to Woodfield Road
• Links to Schools network for Woodfield, Richard Taylor and Harrogate High Schools.
• Links to Schools network to Rossett via St. George’s roundabout with Toucan crossing installed.
• Cycle paths on The Stray with improved crossings.
• Additional cycle stands have been installed at One Arch, Prospect Crescent, Leeds Road and Oxford Street.
• Work on Follifoot underpass has been done but this has not yet solved the problem.

If you agree with me that North Yorkshire County Council should be doing this work without having to be lobbied quite so often sign our petition for a dedicated cycle officer.