Bypass near Filey earmarked for improvement after county council receive extra £3.9m from government

The authority has now been allocated a total of £52.6million to spend on roads, pathways, cycle routes and infrastructure projects.

It said more than 500 individual schemes are being drawn up for locations including Leeds Road in Harrogate, Gristhorpe bypass in Filey and several locations in Richmond.

Coun Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “Every time we fix a road or a footpath, walkers, cyclists and motorists benefit.

“Highways improvements are for everyone and not just for those who drive cars.

“Well maintained roads are essential for a prosperous economy, the emergency services require them as they go about their duty saving lives – everyone across the county relies on them to one degree or another so this funding is very welcome.”

Earlier this week, the government announced a £250m emergency active travel fund aimed at delivering improvements for cycling and walking.

Campaigners in Harrogate have called on the council to “seize the opportunity” of lockdown to make long term improvements.

The proposals include pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors.

But full details of how much will be allocated to each local authority are yet to be revealed.

Coun Mackenzie said: “We are already working on proposals with regard to this funding and hope to have more information in the near future.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you