By Immy Share
The footpaths across the Stray in Harrogate have finally reopened – two months after the UCI Road World Championships event that left the area looking “like a battlefield“, according to local campaigners.
The West Park is still surrounded by fencing, however, due to heavy rainfall both during and after the international cycling event.
The 200-acre grass parkland in Harrogate’s centre held the spectator area.
Another drone shot of the West park Stray, taken this morning 30th October 2019. This is how Yorkshire 2019 handed back the Stray to us pic.twitter.com/cvEDaUS2t8
— Stray Defence (@StrayDefence) October 30, 2019
A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said: “We know that residents are very keen for all the fencing to be removed but it has to stay in place for health and safety reasons, especially while the ground conditions are so wet.
“We are committed to restoring full access to West Park Stray as soon as possible.”
The paths reopened on Tuesday this week (December 3).