The failure of North Yorkshire Council (NYC) to provide cycle crossing facilities at the Sainsbury’s junction on the A661 Wetherby Road, Harrogate, could negatively affect the council’s active travel capability rating.
Active Travel England (ATE) says:
‘We have written to North Yorkshire Council regarding our review of the A661 Wetherby Road scheme.
The presence of strategic walking and cycling routes in the area was highlighted and we made suggestions for consideration. It is the responsibility of the highway authority to consider our response when delivering their scheme.
Local authority performance in delivering compliant schemes will be taken into account in capability rating exercises, which helps us to tailor future funding and support.
ATE adds:
‘ATE works closely with highway authorities to help improve the quality of scheme design in line with national guidance. We use this process to support local authorities, and we provide reports for any schemes we assess.
In line with devolution principles, ATE does not approve individual schemes for funding. Decisions on priorities for investment are for individual highways authorities, who are responsible for their local roads’.
In other words, if NYC is determined to let down people who would like to get around town by bike, no one can stop them.
On the other hand, by disregarding national guidance and ATE’s advice, NYC will reduce its capability rating and future active travel funding. That amounts to letting down local residents.
It is not too late for the council to change its approach, and work with ATE on a scheme that would provide for all road users.