County to take on roads role as four-year wrangle ends

Harrogate Council was furious six years ago when it was given notice that in March 2011 a highways agency agreement which has existed in the urban areas since 1974 was being terminated.

But in the event the borough asked for it to end a year early – because staff who knew their jobs were coming to an end were already leaving for other councils, making it hard to maintain the existing service.

So from April 1, North Yorkshire County Council becomes directly responsible for many highways authority duties within the urban areas of Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Harrogate Council's executive member for transport, Don Mackenzie, said yesterday: "The issues have been resolved.

"When we received the notice of termination in November 2006 we fought it. But in the end, we decided to work with the county to ensure a smooth transfer.

"I am a believer in keeping local government close to the people who elect it and close to the local taxpayers. Clearly, there was an advantage having Harrogate, albeit it as an agent, responsible for highways.

"But we accepted the argument that the county council could give good consistency across the county.

"We have fought and succeeded in keeping certain responsibilities – winter gritting, gully cleansing – and grass cutting on verges although this is by using Harrogate staff under the control of the county council."

Parking management and enforcement were retained by Harrogate, which keeps concessionary fares for another year, after which control goes to County Hall.

Harrogate and the county council said in a joint statement: "The effect of these changes will be to ensure that all communities in the Harrogate borough will receive highway and transportation services in the same way from April 1.

"Staff from both authorities have worked closely together to endeavour to make the transfer of service seamless and with minimal impact upon service delivery to the residents and highway users."