Parts of the Bilton-Starbeck greenway will be closed from Monday (18 April 2016) as improvement work begins on the main link between Bilton Lane and The Avenue in Starbeck.
Funding for the work has come from both national and local organisations. The council secured £19,117 through WREN’s FCC Community Action Fund. Taylors of Harrogate have given £1,000 towards the improvements, and £100 has come from Bilton Conservation Group.
WREN is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.
The improvement work is expected to take up to seven days, with the closed sections of the greenway reopening by Wednesday 27 April.
There are notices and signs on the greenway showing where the closed areas are, and maps showing suggested diversions for both cyclists and pedestrians are at either end of the closed section.
Sam Walker is a countryside ranger with Harrogate Borough Council and has been working to get funding for the improvements. He said:
The route between Bilton Lane and The Avenue is popular with cyclists and pedestrians alike so it’s great that these sections are now going to be upgraded.
We’re very grateful for the funding WREN has given us and for the contributions from Taylors and the local conservation group.
Hopefully the closures won’t cause too much inconvenience and I’m sure users will appreciate the improved, tarmacked surface.
Penny Beaumont, WREN’s grant manager for Yorkshire said:
It’s always nice to see something we have funded start to take shape. We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile project and look forward to it benefitting people across Harrogate.
For more information about the improvement work contact Sam Walker, Countryside Ranger, email sam.walker@harrogate.gov.uk or phone 01423 500600 ext. 58126.
