Harrogate to Leeds commute - the truth!?
Discussion
Hi all,
The Mrs and I are looking at leaving Manchester and relocating to Yorkshire.
We would be looking to sell up here and buy in Yorkshire.
The Mrs has been commuting to Leeds for 3 years 3/4 times a week and is very settled work wise (city centre) hence I will likely try to change office with my current employer or find a new role. Likely Leeds centre based either way.
The Mrs is office based and happy enough using the train to get to and from work. I work in financial services and tend to be out and about a lot and would need to drive.
We have done quite a lot of driving around areas but like to be in the thick of things and are a bit over the hill now ahead so just after a nice place with cafe culture and a few bars etc. nowhere too lively!!
We are both really taken with Harrogate and could afford something ok in HG1/2. However I have heard a rumour that the commute to Leeds is absolutely cr*p.
I would tend to leave c.6.30-7.00 in the morning. Would this be early enough to miss the worst of it? Roughly how long to drive to Leeds at this time in the morning?
Same question for the return Leeds to Harrogate leaving Leeds between c.4.30-5.30?
Is the best / only route just Straight down / up the A61?
The Mrs and I are looking at leaving Manchester and relocating to Yorkshire.
We would be looking to sell up here and buy in Yorkshire.
The Mrs has been commuting to Leeds for 3 years 3/4 times a week and is very settled work wise (city centre) hence I will likely try to change office with my current employer or find a new role. Likely Leeds centre based either way.
The Mrs is office based and happy enough using the train to get to and from work. I work in financial services and tend to be out and about a lot and would need to drive.
We have done quite a lot of driving around areas but like to be in the thick of things and are a bit over the hill now ahead so just after a nice place with cafe culture and a few bars etc. nowhere too lively!!
We are both really taken with Harrogate and could afford something ok in HG1/2. However I have heard a rumour that the commute to Leeds is absolutely cr*p.
I would tend to leave c.6.30-7.00 in the morning. Would this be early enough to miss the worst of it? Roughly how long to drive to Leeds at this time in the morning?
Same question for the return Leeds to Harrogate leaving Leeds between c.4.30-5.30?
Is the best / only route just Straight down / up the A61?
I live just off Harrogate Road in North Leeds so cant comment on the whole journey, but my wife works in Leeds centre so does the commute every day.
Parking in Leeds is expensive plus becoming increasingly difficult because they keep building on all the car parks. We pay for a private parking space at an apt block which works out cheaper (a bit) than the £8.50 charge at the cheapest car park (The Tetley - also being built on).
The journey from ours takes my wife approx 30 mins both morning and evening with pretty much queuing traffic all the way, whether using the A61 - Scott Hall Road, or Harrogate Road.
She has found quite a few rat runs which help the journey to/from ours. It’s not great for the residents of these streets but these shave off a good 10-15 mins due to the snark ups at junctions and roundabouts which the council don’t have the forethought to sort out.
We cant use the bus due to nursery drop-off/pick, plus the bus services are horrendously slow, even more horrendously unreliable due to traffic, and also expensive for such a poor unreliable service.
Unfortunately Leeds council are so anti car I cant see this situation improving. They are consulting on plans to improve both routes but they're all half-baked ideas which IMO won’t solve the main problem areas at all.
They are targeted on bus priority measures and shaving a couple of mins off already crazily long bus journeys due to too many stops and people taking 2-3 mins to count their £4.50 worth of 2p’s out to the driver each time.
They are however planning a Park & Ride at Alwoodley gates on the edge of North Leeds. If they ever get round to building this it will be good for people further out towards Harrogate - especially if the bus from there is an express with no/limited stops (which isn’t planned bizarrely!?!?) and there are bus priority measures too.
Unfortunately for us we’re just stuck and don’t have another option apart from the car until the kid(s) get older. We’re not part of any of the councils use cases apparently because my wife NEED’s to use the car to be able to work and reliably be at nursery (not waiting for a non-existent bus!)
Parking in Leeds is expensive plus becoming increasingly difficult because they keep building on all the car parks. We pay for a private parking space at an apt block which works out cheaper (a bit) than the £8.50 charge at the cheapest car park (The Tetley - also being built on).
The journey from ours takes my wife approx 30 mins both morning and evening with pretty much queuing traffic all the way, whether using the A61 - Scott Hall Road, or Harrogate Road.
She has found quite a few rat runs which help the journey to/from ours. It’s not great for the residents of these streets but these shave off a good 10-15 mins due to the snark ups at junctions and roundabouts which the council don’t have the forethought to sort out.
We cant use the bus due to nursery drop-off/pick, plus the bus services are horrendously slow, even more horrendously unreliable due to traffic, and also expensive for such a poor unreliable service.
Unfortunately Leeds council are so anti car I cant see this situation improving. They are consulting on plans to improve both routes but they're all half-baked ideas which IMO won’t solve the main problem areas at all.
They are targeted on bus priority measures and shaving a couple of mins off already crazily long bus journeys due to too many stops and people taking 2-3 mins to count their £4.50 worth of 2p’s out to the driver each time.
They are however planning a Park & Ride at Alwoodley gates on the edge of North Leeds. If they ever get round to building this it will be good for people further out towards Harrogate - especially if the bus from there is an express with no/limited stops (which isn’t planned bizarrely!?!?) and there are bus priority measures too.
Unfortunately for us we’re just stuck and don’t have another option apart from the car until the kid(s) get older. We’re not part of any of the councils use cases apparently because my wife NEED’s to use the car to be able to work and reliably be at nursery (not waiting for a non-existent bus!)
Travelling by train your wife will be in the hands of Northern...one of worst train operators in the country.
My experience of them on Friday trying to get from Leeds to Skipton
1826 cancelled
1856 cancelled
1926 cancelled
1956 cancelled
2026...finally departed 2057.
All because one of their services broke down.
Northern refused any assistance whatsoever to passengers stuck for 3 hours on Friday and have since made all sorts of false claims as they deny its anything to do with them
My experience of them on Friday trying to get from Leeds to Skipton
1826 cancelled
1856 cancelled
1926 cancelled
1956 cancelled
2026...finally departed 2057.
All because one of their services broke down.
Northern refused any assistance whatsoever to passengers stuck for 3 hours on Friday and have since made all sorts of false claims as they deny its anything to do with them
I've done the Harrogate-Leeds commute regularly, albeit not for a few years. From the times you suggest, you should be ok and it will be a decent drive in as you are missing the worst snarl-ups caused by the schools at Harewood (Gateways) and Alwoodley (Leeds Grammar). There are a couple of rat runs which can shave some useful time off as well.
The train is ok in terms of time, the problem on the Harrogate line is that the trains themselves are bloody awful (old, cramped and noisy).
We chose to live near Ilkley on the Wharfedale line. The commute into Leeds is a hell of a lot better, especially on the train, however it is a pain if you need to drive further afield on business as Harrogate is quite handy for the A1.
The train is ok in terms of time, the problem on the Harrogate line is that the trains themselves are bloody awful (old, cramped and noisy).
We chose to live near Ilkley on the Wharfedale line. The commute into Leeds is a hell of a lot better, especially on the train, however it is a pain if you need to drive further afield on business as Harrogate is quite handy for the A1.
Thanks all for the replies.
Interesting as Ilkely is the one place remaining for exploration. Been through there a couple of times but never paid much attention. Have heard good things mind so will look to get up there in next few weeks.
Re the Harrogate issues. We have parking in Leeds through the Mrs work and we would probably use a combo of train/drive dependent on how the day will pan out.
Interesting as Ilkely is the one place remaining for exploration. Been through there a couple of times but never paid much attention. Have heard good things mind so will look to get up there in next few weeks.
Re the Harrogate issues. We have parking in Leeds through the Mrs work and we would probably use a combo of train/drive dependent on how the day will pan out.
If you're both working in Leeds then it'll be a lot more comfortable commuting to work from Leeds. If you want a Harrogate 'feel' then consider Otley. If not Otley then there's always Rawdon or Pudsey both of which will have a better commuting time than Chapel Allerton or Roundhay in North Leeds.
I’m in Harrogate and over the last 7 years both my wife and I have commuted to Leeds.
Make sure you are south side of Harrogate which can save 15 / 20 mins on your journey.
The trains are old but due an upgrade soon. There are 3 train stations in the town. Starbeck, town center and Hornbeam Park. The later is on the south side and the ones we use.
Driving is easy takes 30 - 40 mins but as said before parking can be expensive unless you park just out of the centre.
If you need any further info give me a shout.
I love living in Harrogate, loads to do great for families, plenty of bars and restaurants of all different types. York and Leeds close by and 15 mins drive into some of the best country side (IMO) in the UK
Oh forgot to add there is a regular bus that is alright actually (free Wi-Fi, USB ports and a library!)
Make sure you are south side of Harrogate which can save 15 / 20 mins on your journey.
The trains are old but due an upgrade soon. There are 3 train stations in the town. Starbeck, town center and Hornbeam Park. The later is on the south side and the ones we use.
Driving is easy takes 30 - 40 mins but as said before parking can be expensive unless you park just out of the centre.
If you need any further info give me a shout.
I love living in Harrogate, loads to do great for families, plenty of bars and restaurants of all different types. York and Leeds close by and 15 mins drive into some of the best country side (IMO) in the UK
Oh forgot to add there is a regular bus that is alright actually (free Wi-Fi, USB ports and a library!)
Is there a reason you'd drive rather than take the train?
I live in Rawdon (North Leeds) and used to commute from Harrogate to Bradford/Leeds daily (similar routes, depending on where in Leeds you need to go to).
The answer is, it depends on where in Harrogate and Leeds you need to go from and get to, as the routes will be different depending on which end of Harrogate to live.
The train would be a much better solution than driving if you need to get to central Leeds.
Someone mentioned Otley. It doesn't have the same feel as Harrogate that I think you're suggesting you're looking for.
Ilkley is nice, like a small Harrogate, but if you travel at all it's a b
d to get to motorways from and the train line is one dimensional.
Traffic in urban West/North Yorkshire is fecking awful, I'm afraid.
I live in Rawdon (North Leeds) and used to commute from Harrogate to Bradford/Leeds daily (similar routes, depending on where in Leeds you need to go to).
The answer is, it depends on where in Harrogate and Leeds you need to go from and get to, as the routes will be different depending on which end of Harrogate to live.
The train would be a much better solution than driving if you need to get to central Leeds.
Someone mentioned Otley. It doesn't have the same feel as Harrogate that I think you're suggesting you're looking for.
Ilkley is nice, like a small Harrogate, but if you travel at all it's a b
d to get to motorways from and the train line is one dimensional.Traffic in urban West/North Yorkshire is fecking awful, I'm afraid.
Had a good look round Ilkley today and a quick bite at a nice cafe called Daniel's with the obligatory Betty's trip for a couple of Pikelets!!
Must add that I have nothing against public transport / train and it might work 1/2 days a week if I'm having an office day but am generally out and about seeing clients both locally and further afield.
I am in the process of looking at a few work options so I am not entirely sure where I'll be based. However a couple of options are Leeds based whilst a couple suggest splitting time between Leeds and York and it's fair to say I didn't realise there was much going on in York until I started looking at things.
We both really enjoyed Ilkley today but I dont think it'll work if I need to be in York more than once a week. Would be a very strong contender if I will be predominantly Leeds based.
Must add that I have nothing against public transport / train and it might work 1/2 days a week if I'm having an office day but am generally out and about seeing clients both locally and further afield.
I am in the process of looking at a few work options so I am not entirely sure where I'll be based. However a couple of options are Leeds based whilst a couple suggest splitting time between Leeds and York and it's fair to say I didn't realise there was much going on in York until I started looking at things.
We both really enjoyed Ilkley today but I dont think it'll work if I need to be in York more than once a week. Would be a very strong contender if I will be predominantly Leeds based.
Sounds like you've ruled it out already but anywhere on the A65 (Leeds > Kirkstall > Horsforth > Rawdon > Yeadon > Guiseley > Ilkley > Skipton) is brutal for traffic in peak periods and it will probably grind to a complete halt once they've finished building the 1000+ new houses between the forge and the cremmy.
Harrogate Rd (A61) is slightly better but it snarls up bad at the Harewood lights and then ring road, Moortown, Stainbeck and Scott hall rbts, then again at the Sheepscar interchange which only lets half a dozen cars through before going to red again. They're putting in a bus lane at Moortown which will be traffic light controlled so expect that the get even more jammed up for cars as LCC will predictably set the sequencing so that the lights stay on red for a full 5 minutes after the bus has disappeared over the horizon, same as they do everywhere else in town.
If you're on the east side of Harrogate go to Flaxby, get on the A1, come off at Pontefract Lane at J45 and you're in town in 5 mins.
Harrogate Rd (A61) is slightly better but it snarls up bad at the Harewood lights and then ring road, Moortown, Stainbeck and Scott hall rbts, then again at the Sheepscar interchange which only lets half a dozen cars through before going to red again. They're putting in a bus lane at Moortown which will be traffic light controlled so expect that the get even more jammed up for cars as LCC will predictably set the sequencing so that the lights stay on red for a full 5 minutes after the bus has disappeared over the horizon, same as they do everywhere else in town.
If you're on the east side of Harrogate go to Flaxby, get on the A1, come off at Pontefract Lane at J45 and you're in town in 5 mins.
Richard-3pdyn said:
Had a good look round Ilkley today and a quick bite at a nice cafe called Daniel's with the obligatory Betty's trip for a couple of Pikelets!!
Must add that I have nothing against public transport / train and it might work 1/2 days a week if I'm having an office day but am generally out and about seeing clients both locally and further afield.
I am in the process of looking at a few work options so I am not entirely sure where I'll be based. However a couple of options are Leeds based whilst a couple suggest splitting time between Leeds and York and it's fair to say I didn't realise there was much going on in York until I started looking at things.
We both really enjoyed Ilkley today but I dont think it'll work if I need to be in York more than once a week. Would be a very strong contender if I will be predominantly Leeds based.
Having grown up in Harrogate, then lived in my 20s in north Leeds and then settled just outside Ilkley, if I were in your shoes I would probably look at the south side of Harrogate.Must add that I have nothing against public transport / train and it might work 1/2 days a week if I'm having an office day but am generally out and about seeing clients both locally and further afield.
I am in the process of looking at a few work options so I am not entirely sure where I'll be based. However a couple of options are Leeds based whilst a couple suggest splitting time between Leeds and York and it's fair to say I didn't realise there was much going on in York until I started looking at things.
We both really enjoyed Ilkley today but I dont think it'll work if I need to be in York more than once a week. Would be a very strong contender if I will be predominantly Leeds based.
I do like Ilkley but it is a small Harrogate and therefore rather cliquey and gets quite 'samey' if you like to eat or drink out. Harrogate beats it hands-down with the range of bars, restaurants and shops.
Ilkley-York would not be a nice journey as you have to battle your way across the south of Harrogate, you may as well start from Harrogate and save yourself half an hour. I commuted to York for a year from Harrogate and it wasn't too bad, the only issue being that York continues to be increasingly anti-car so any driving close to the city centre is hard work.
If you are setting off early enough for Leeds from Harrogate it should be a doddle, the worst part is the schools so if you can make sure you've cleared Harewood by no later than 7.45-8.00 you will be fine. It can be a pain crossing the ring road at Moortown, but once you've cleared that it's not too bad. There are some good cut-throughs down back streets which help, although no doubt the residents won't be chuffed. As with any commute, the problem comes when one minor thing occurs and everything backs up.
When the weather is nice and the suns out it's a nice drive home to blow the cobwebs away, the view across Wharfedale when you come out of Harewood is great.
BlueMR2 said:
Its going to be interesting to find out how the new junction at the ringroad works.
Almost finished now.
I welcome the council doing anything to tackle the pinch points of getting in/out of North Leeds but I’m doubtful these changes of adding an extra lane will have any effect whatsoever. Almost finished now.
For some reason Leeds council also think that traffic lights on roundabouts help flow but if you look at the Horsforth and Rodley roundabouts they haven’t improved things at all when they have done this. Yet they keep repeating the error because there’s budget to spend from the failed trolleybus scheme.
And don’t get me started on how long it has taken them to do this ‘improvement’ work. It’s an absolute joke and could/should have been done in half the time.
In the car from Harrogate to Leeds Centre?
45 minutes to an hour and a half.
I travel through Harrogate as I live beyond yonder side up Dale, but that's the kind of spread that occurs. There's not just a rush hour, its pretty rammed from early through past 9am. If you leave at 6am you won't have the road to yourself.
As mentioned already getting across HG can be a swine in itself and the aforementioned bottlenecks into Leeds centre are All true. There's lots of tempting shortcuts but they are not that as they all have to cross the Leeds ring road at some point. One crash on one of the main arterial roads can seriously fk up all the other roads.
The trains have been updated but yes very cramped at peak times.
45 minutes to an hour and a half.
I travel through Harrogate as I live beyond yonder side up Dale, but that's the kind of spread that occurs. There's not just a rush hour, its pretty rammed from early through past 9am. If you leave at 6am you won't have the road to yourself.
As mentioned already getting across HG can be a swine in itself and the aforementioned bottlenecks into Leeds centre are All true. There's lots of tempting shortcuts but they are not that as they all have to cross the Leeds ring road at some point. One crash on one of the main arterial roads can seriously f
k up all the other roads.The trains have been updated but yes very cramped at peak times.
Burgmeister said:
If you're both working in Leeds then it'll be a lot more comfortable commuting to work from Leeds. If you want a Harrogate 'feel' then consider Otley. If not Otley then there's always Rawdon or Pudsey both of which will have a better commuting time than Chapel Allerton or Roundhay in North Leeds.
There is no way Otley, Rawdon, or Pudsey have a Harrogate feel....I'd rather st in my hands and clap than drive from Harrogate to central Leeds every day.
South side of Harrogate as has been said is preferable but you will pay for the postcode and it still won't solve the issue of the traffic at Harewood and into Leeds itself.
Personally I think an e-Bike would be a fantastic option
t in my hands and clap than drive from Harrogate to central Leeds every day.South side of Harrogate as has been said is preferable but you will pay for the postcode and it still won't solve the issue of the traffic at Harewood and into Leeds itself.
Personally I think an e-Bike would be a fantastic option
Wills2 said:
There is no way Otley, Rawdon, or Pudsey have a Harrogate feel....
Nowhere does a faux sense of entitlement and wealth like Harrogate (I say as someone born and raised there).Posh shops and bars for all the wealth that lives in the countryside around and a town full of people from 'arrergut.
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