Cycle path work begins as historic Stray bylaw finally overturned

WORK has begun on creating cycle routes on Harrogate’s Stray after an historic bylaw was finally overturned.

Council workers were widening paths on the 200-acre stretch of parkland yesterday despite campaigners such as the Stray Defence Association criticising the decision.

Harrogate Borough Council members first voted in 2009 to overturn the historic bylaws preventing cycling on the Stray, but it has taken nearly two years of negotiation and consultation for the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to confirm the proposals.

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Coun Don Mackenzie, the leader of the council, said: “Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the bylaws to allow cycling on six paths in the eastern part of the Stray.

“When consulted, residents also showed huge support with 80 per cent voting in favour.

“I am delighted that North Yorkshire County Council has secured the funding and can go ahead with the scheme now that the bylaw has been amended to allow limited cycling on the Stray.

“This scheme also supports this council’s pledge to improve cycling facilities in the district.”

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North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways, Coun Gareth Dadd, said: “These proposals have won widespread support, both from the cycling community and from local residents, and we are delighted that the Government has now approved them.”

Earlier this summer, Local Government Minister Grant Shapps held Harrogate Borough Council up as a national example of new Whitehall plans to remove red tape in local authority decision making.

The Tory Minister has announced he is giving councils new powers to revoke any bylaws restricting access to green spaces without Government interference, in a bid to create more cycle-friendly routes across the country.

He says the example set by Harrogate Borough Council, is one he now hopes will be followed by scores of other local authorities.

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The work widening the paths is expected to take around 10 weeks.

The selected paths will be 2.5 metres wide and will be available for both pedestrians and cyclists. There will be no lighting and signage will be kept to a minimum.