8.1) Network Management Duty
Uupdated Network Management Duty guidance from the DfT to local authorities set out the measures they should be taking to reallocate space to active travel. The guidance was withdrawn by Mr Sunak’s government in October 2023, but it is still worth comparing NYC against the measures in the guidance.
The measures included:
- cycle facilities with physical separation from traffic, to LTN 1/20 standards
- reducing speed limits to 20mph in built-up areas
- pedestrian and cycle only zones
- modal filters
- additional cycle parking at key locations
- changes to junction designs to accommodate more cyclists
- whole route approaches to create corridors for buses and cycles
An experimental modal filter on Beech Grove was taken out with no evidence and no consultation. This breached the Network Management Duty, and removed the only LTN 1/20-compliant scheme delivered by NYC.
Arguably HTIP, which is a plan for the A61 Leeds Road, might qualify as a whole route approach. It began in 2019, but was only made public in January 2021.
So far NYC has spent 5 years and nearly half a million pounds in consultants’ fees on HTIP, but the council shows no signs of any good faith intention to move to delivering on-the-ground sustainable transport improvements.
8.2) School Streets
Some local authorities are pushing ahead with School Streets. Leeds City Council has 17 on its website.
In Harrogate & Knaresborough, there is one. It is at Beechwood Grove/Oatlands Junior School.
The Harrogate School Street was entirely the initiative of parents, and the council was effectively pushed into it. Nevertheless, it should be acknowledged that NYC reluctantly got on board, did a trial, and made the School Street permanent.
There was a pilot School Street in Scarborough (Seamer & Irton Community Primary), but we don’t know if it was made permanent.
Overall, there is a lack of ambition and a lack of delivery by NYC.
8.3) 20mph
In January 2022, NYCC adopted a new 20mph policy.
It was a cynical and negative piece of work, designed to enable NYC to refuse all requests for 20mph limits and zones. The key paragraph is 5.13:
Despite this, NYC have been pushed into acting by a coalition of parents and head teachers in the Oatlands and Pannal Ash areas of Harrogate.
The council has announced plans for 20mph schemes on:
At the time of writing (January 2025) no work has actually started on the ground, so we will believe it when we see it.
8.4) Modal Filters and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
There is no programme to install new modal filters and create Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.
We have suggested suitable locations in our Priorities, including West End Park and the Mallinson estate.