Harrogate Borough Council

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18 August 2008:- HARROGATE Borough Council is to carry out a full consultation to see whether there is public support for the introduction of a limited number of 'shared paths' on the town's Stray to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Since 2001, over £1.5million has been spent on cycling projects in Harrogate and Knaresborough and a further £250,000 has been delivered at developers' expense as part of new developments. As a result, over 18 kilometres of off-road cycle route has been created which has, in turn, brought substantial additional lengths of quiet road into useful operation achieving the council's objectives set out in the Cycling Implementation plan.

 

The plan also includes proposals to establish cycle routes on a number of footpaths on the periphery of The Stray and to bridge the gap in the cycle network north and south of the town, transport chiefs are looking at proposals to introduce a small number of 'shared paths' across The Stray.

 

Councillor Don Mackenzie, added: "We know there are many who quite rightly and robustly defend The Stray from any encroachment. As custodian of it, on behalf of The Crown who, as Duchy of Lancaster, actually owns the land, we too actively protect it. However, the world is changing, more and more people are returning to or taking up cycling, especially with the rising cost of fuel and many are using pedal power in their desire to keep fit. This link in the route is also very important regarding national plans to provide a coast-to-coast cycle route."

 

The Stray is protected by law and previous thoughts to allow cycling on it have fallen because of the huge cost in revoking bye-laws. The introduction of the Local Government and Involvement in Health Act 2007 could allow the bye-law to be revoked to permit cycling but only on the shared footpaths.

 

"If the proposals do find favour both with residents and Her Majesty, then the council would certainly be in a better position to enforce the no cycling ban on pedestrian only footpaths, added Councillor Mackenzie. "Even with this new law, there are still costs involved and we do not want to carry out abortive work or needlessly spend money, if there is total opposition.

 

The council has enough land to exchange any Stray land taken, as is necessary under the terms of The Stray Act and we also have funding in place through the Local Transport Plan. To address concerns about safety,

 

I can confirm that Sustrans the national cycle charity believe that shared paths are preferable to segregated paths. It is believed that segregated paths bring issues of 'ownership' whereas shared paths see both cyclists and pedestrians taking care. They also take less land as the minimum width for a shared path is 2.5m with 3m needed for a segregated path."

 

On 27 August, Councillor Mackenzie will be giving the go ahead for the production of a full consultation and highways officers will be drafting the questionnaires, which will be made widely available across the district. Further announcements will be made n the next few weeks about the consultation details, dates etc. ENDS