Work to upgrade Harrogate’s A61Leeds Road / Hookstone Road junction as the final stage of a £1 million junction improvement has been substantially completed.
The junction works have been carried out as part of the planning conditions for a new retail development for a M&S food outlet on the previous Nidd Vale garage site. The store is planning to open in time for the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in Harrogate in early July 2014.
Developers have said the road is now fully open in the vicinity of the Oatlands Parade of businesses.
The resurfacing works, which required the complete closure of the junction during weekday evenings for the last few weeks, were slightly delayed by wet weather during the road marking process which then prevented the new traffic lights being switched on at the end of last week.
Harrogate residents have been very aware of the delays that the road works have created. The conclusion of the works will be very welcome.
The Leeds Road shop keepers have also worked together under the banner of the Oatlands Committee and have developed a strong campaign. They are continuing to seek recompense for lost trade with their business rates being refunded.
Construction Director Dan Murray, of the site’s development managers, St James Securities, said: This has been a very complex upgrading project with a number of issues that were not anticipated at the design stage. Some minor foot-way works are still to be completed around the site over the next few days, although these are not expected to be as disruptive as previous stages of the works.
We would like to thank those who have been affected by the traffic disruption for their patience throughout the project.
I notice the north-south route makes no allowance for cyclists. I think the only thing preventing fatalities at this junction will be that most would-be cyclists will be going by car instead.
What would you like to see there ?