Photomap

[Image taken 22.5.23] RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate. [NOTE: No street view at this location]
I first asked RHS Harlow Carr about cycle parking in April 2014. I received a prompt and interesting reply: “The Royal Horticultural Society is keen to support and promote cycling as a means of travelling to Harlow Carr, though we recognise that improvements are needed on site to facilitate this. We have plans to install a new covered Sheffield Cycle Stand but before doing so, we need to create a level area and improve drainage within our
forecourt to facilitate this. The first phase of this scheme (to pedestrianize the forecourt) has already been implemented and we hope phase 2 will be completed in the next two years dependent upon funding. In order to show our support of visitors cycling to the garden we also offer a reduced garden entry fee to anyone who cycles to the garden as part of our green travel promotion.”
I followed up over the years until, in August 2017, I received this update: “Thank you for your email and comments relating to the provision for cycle parking at the garden. We are acutely aware that our facilities require upgrading and had hoped that this would be done at the back end of this year as part of a Front of House redevelopment. Sadly the budget was not agreed for this project and the proposed works have been put on hold. We are still keen to address the cycle facilities on offer, but it is essential that whatever we do eventually links sympathetically in to the bigger project that has been deferred.”
On my next visit, in April 2018, I found wheelbenders and the same month I sent my feedback to the RHS contact. I wrote:
“The existing racks do not support bikes. The existing racks do not permit people to secure their frames to anything.”
At the end of that month I received this reply:
“Please be assured that this project is underway. Initial designs for the new Front of House cycle shelter have now been agreed and we are due to submit planning permission shortly, with a view to the shelter being built at the back end of this year/beginning of next year.”
In October 2019 I received an update:
“Please find attached some images of our new bike shelter which was installed in March this year. You will recall this has been a project in the pipe line for some time now, so I am delighted to report that it is now complete and that we have received some great, positive feedback on it. It provides 8 double sided Sheffield style bike stands along with a covered, living “green” roof which doubles up as a habitat for bugs and insects to make their homes in.”
I was unable to visit in the winter of 2019/20 or during the ‘covid years’.
On my first visit to Harlow Carr since the pandemic I took this and the subsequent images of the green roofed cycle parking. It was well used. There’s therefore a need for additional racks including spaces for wider/longer rigs and/or for people with mobility issues, with appropriate signage: #170171.
Other images here today: #194217, #194218, #194219, #194220, #194221, #194222. Other image today and links: #194206.