NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

15 JULY 2026

STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION

Parking Update

Parking Services continue to operate as a resilient countywide frontline service, managing car parks, on-street controls, civil parking enforcement, permits, pay and display systems, and customer enquiries and appeals across North Yorkshire. The service is now well into a structured transformation programme designed to create a more consistent, customer-focused and value-for-money service. That programme is focused on four core areas: replacing parking machines and signage, converging parking apps to one provider, digitising Traffic Regulation Orders, and converging parking enforcement and permit software into a single contract and system. 

I am pleased to say that in relation to parking machines, the contract has been signed, rollout is scheduled to commence in Richmond in August 2026, and the current programme shows all machines live by the end of October 2026. Work on associated signage is continuing alongside that rollout. 

The direction of travel is towards a more unified, digitally enabled and financially sustainable parking service for North Yorkshire, while continuing to provide the day-to-day operational service that residents, businesses and visitors rely on.

Highway Operations

I am aware that grass cutting has been the subject of recent discussion. I can confirm that there has been no change in policy, with the usual minimum two rural cuts and the minimum five urban highway safety cuts alongside the more frequent amenity cuts in urban centres remains unchanged. Furthermore, I confirm that where North Yorkshire Council or its contractors previously cut grass, this continues. There was an anomaly recently highlighted relating to information on our website that suggested some town / parish councils cut grass where it was actually undertaken by NYC – that anomaly has now been corrected, and I will cover the parks and grounds elements of grass cutting in that part of my update to Members.

Whilst last winter may seem like a distant memory now, preparations are already underway for the 2026/27 season, which will see the introduction of three ‘mini tractors’; these machines will come equipped with ploughs and salt spreading equipment, and will supplement the arrangements already enacted last winter to enhance footway snow clearance and treatments where we deployed additional resource from the Council’s Waste & Street Scene and Parks and Countryside Services teams as well as North Yorkshire Council’s partner contractor NYHighways and its subcontractors. I will also be considering the annual route review requests with the Corporate Director of Environment on 26 August in advance of this coming winter season. I am also pleased to announce that, to improve our existing 70 strong fleet of gritters that 12 of those existing gritters will be replaced with new machines during the coming winter season - this should bring even greater reliability and increased resilience against the demands winter hazards throw at us.

Moving from winter to summer and following the mini-heatwave in May, the county experienced a more sustained period of intense heat during week commencing 22 June, with air temperatures reaching almost 35ºC and Road Surface Temperatures (RSTs) reaching 60ºC by the end of that week. These extreme RSTs resulted in some roads that are binder heavy being ‘dusted’ to manage any binder ‘bleed’ through to the road surface.

Similarly, where these temperatures were not conducive to works being caried out on the network, and they were rescheduled as necessary. Overall impact on the highway network was minimal.

With regard to our capital programme, we are making great progress with delivery of our larger surfacing, drainage and programme of works this year. By the end of June we had delivered 33% of our programme (up from 31% last year) and are on track to ensure the majority of these works will be completed before we start to experience more-inclement weather later in the year. Having already completed almost all of our surface dressing sites by the end of May, those remaining roads that are to benefit from this highly cost-effective treatment are scheduled to be completed by the end of July. These remaining roads were scheduled later to either avoid clashes with other works being undertaken on the network or are to be undertaken once those works had been completed so we avoid newly laid surface dressing being dug up.

Our footway lighting LED replacement invest-to-save programme continues to progress. Having completed works in the Brompton-on-Swale and Richmond areas, the next phase will move to Harrogate and surrounding communities.

Programmes of bridge works also continue, with the team recently recognised for their work on the now completed Foregill Bridge project, where they were awarded the prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers Yorkshire & Humber Smeaton award for the project.

Parks and Countryside Services

Parks & Countryside Services has contributed to the Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group reviewing grounds maintenance arrangements across council housing sites in Harrogate, Selby and Richmondshire. Recommendations to improve and harmonise service delivery will be presented to the Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing later this summer.

Grounds maintenance teams continue to focus on grass cutting, seasonal bedding displays, hanging baskets and planters, watering programmes and support for major events across the county during the peak growing season. Following recruitment challenges earlier in the year and significant vegetation growth, grass cutting frequencies are improving to approximately every 3–4 weeks in line with previous years cutting programmes.

In some areas, particularly across the west of the county, spring bulb displays require vegetation to remain in place after flowering to ensure a successful display the following year. While this can temporarily affect appearance, cutting programmes are now underway and will significantly improve the presentation of these areas. Resources are being deployed flexibly across North Yorkshire to support priority locations and maintain service standards.

Turning to our Public Rights of Way network, I was pleased to see that a new accessible footbridge has been installed on the King Charles III England Coast Path, together with a new footbridge at Long Drax. 

Following a specialist inspection, Grosmont Suspension Bridge was unfortunately closed on safety grounds. However, the team worked around the clock to ensure temporary arrangements were put in place within 10 days to reinstate public access, and work is now underway to determine a long-term solution. I and the local member are very appreciative of officers and the operational team for the speed at which this solution was delivered.

Emergency repairs have been completed on Deadman's Hill Unsurfaced Unclassified Road (UUR) following a significant surface failure, enabling the route to reopen ahead of a planned Trail Riders Fellowship charity event and we recently hosted a national best practice event on volunteer involvement in Public Rights of Way maintenance, recognising the significant contribution volunteers make across the county's network. 

Responsibility for processing Section 257 Town and Country Planning Act Orders associated with planning applications will transfer from the Planning Team to the Definitive Map Team, improving efficiency and helping prevent future development-related obstructions to public rights of way.

The long-standing obstruction issue at Staveley has been resolved, while diversion orders at Sherburn Mill and Shorten Hall continue to progress. Work is also underway to secure the permissive cycleway and bridleway at Ripley as a public right of way. Delays at the Planning Inspectorate continue to impact the timescales for Definitive Map Modification Order applications.

July sees Yorkshire in Bloom judging take place across North Yorkshire, with a number of Parks and Countryside Services sites and community-supported entries being assessed. Key NYC entries include Friary Gardens, Valley Gardens, Knaresborough Castle, Conyngham Hall, Peasholm Park, South Cliff Gardens and Spa Gardens, alongside several town and village entries supported by the service. Results will be announced in September.

In addition, 11 parish and town councils have agreed to take part in unannounced judging, recognising the continued contribution of local communities to enhancing their environments.

Lane Rental for Streetworks 

Members will recall that Lane Rental enables highway authorities to apply daily charges to works occupying the busiest parts of the road network at the most disruptive times. The aim is to incentivise shorter durations, improved planning and greater collaborative working, thereby reducing congestion and minimising disruption to residents, businesses and road users.

Following approval by the Department for Transport and completion of the statutory process, North Yorkshire Council's Lane Rental Scheme went live on 5 May 2026. The Council had previously undertaken a shadow running period throughout April to familiarise stakeholders with the scheme and support behavioural change ahead of implementation.

Initial performance data indicates some early positive behavioural changes, with evidence of less disruption during the busiest periods of the day when the impact on the travelling public is greatest.

Equally encouragingly, improvements are already being seen in the management of immediate and emergency works, with them taking up fewer days than before the Lane Rental Scheme was introduced.  

This reduction is a direct response to the Lane Rental charging structure, which provides a 48-hour charge-free period for immediate and emergency works. Organisations are therefore completing works more quickly to avoid charges, reducing occupation of the highway network and delivering a clear benefit to road users through shorter disruption periods.

Whilst it is still early in the life of the scheme, the initial data suggests that Lane Rental is already influencing behaviours in line with its objectives, particularly in relation to reducing the duration of emergency works and encouraging better planning of activities on the highway network.

Transforming Cities Fund

Selby TCF – the Council’s Contractor has made significant progress, with work to demolish James William House on Cowie Drive going well.  They are also undertaking demolition of the former Railway Social club during June and July. Works to establish additional parking and step free access to platform two of the Station will follow the demolition activity. There has been some unavoidable disruption to customer parking on Station Road whilst these works are undertaken and the Council and Contractor have been working closely with Network Rail and TransPennine Express to ensure mitigation is in place, so that customers can continue to access train services.

Harrogate TCF – confirmation of the release of funding for the project from WYCA and Y&NYCA came at the end of June and we are currently on course for a start on site in late summer / early autumn 2026. Works will likely commence with utility diversions and we are working with the utility providers to co-ordinate activity to minimise disruption to the local road network.

A59 Kex Gill

Work is currently focused on planning the tie-in sections where the new carriageway connects with the existing road with the new road currently due to open to traffic this summer.

The western tie-in is less involved, with the primary challenge being the difference in levels between the existing and new carriageway. Most of the work in this area can be undertaken off-line; however, temporary traffic lights will be required to restrict traffic flow to a single lane. In addition, some overnight closures may be necessary for a short period to allow for the laying of the final surface course of tarmac and completion of road markings.

The eastern tie-in at Blubberhouses is more complex and will require a greater degree of disruption. This is due to planned safety improvements at the Church Hill junction. The new junction will be staggered with Hall Lane, and the road height will be increased to reduce the gradient towards Otley.

To facilitate these works, Church Hill will be closed for approximately eight weeks. During this period, the main A59 will remain operational under temporary traffic light control.

Local Transport Plan

The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) has led on the development of a new Local Transport Plan (LTP) for York and North Yorkshire. The document was drafted and shared with NYC officers in early May with a short period of time for officer comments to be fed back to the Combined Authority. The CA then published the draft LTP as part of a report that was taken to the CA board on 5 June seeking approval to take the document to a full public consultation. 

Whilst officers had the opportunity to feed into the draft document it is intended that a further NYC response will be drafted in response to the public consultation which is expected to begin in August and be open for 12 weeks. As part of this a range of meetings and briefing sessions will take place in order to gather views from officers and members to be fed back to the CA.

COUNCILLOR MALCOLM TAYLOR