Council considers action on traffic (From Gazette & Herald)

Council considers action on traffic

PICKERING town councillors have aired concerns about traffic problems in the town's market place and other streets.

The town clerk, Andrew Husband, said among the issues raised was the idea of closing the market place to traffic on the Monday market day, to accommodate the market and reduce the risk to pedestrians caused by the current congestion.

He said police were now issuing parking tickets in the area.

There were also concerns that pedestrians felt at risk when crossing the market place because there was no crossing.

"Both residents and tourists use

the road humps, and often traffic will give way to then, but the humps are not pedestrian crossings."

Worries have also been expressed about traffic negotiating the Southgate entrance to Cooper's car park, and difficulties at the Birdgate and Smiddy Hill

junction. The need to programme the traffic lights at the junction of Vivis Lane and Southgate was also raised.

Mr Husband said it was expected that all the traffic problems would be pursued when a traffic management study was carried out in Pickering.

Other matters discussed by the council included:

Bryant Homes is to appeal against the refusal of planning permission to build 39 homes on land next to Whitfield Avenue, Pickering.

The scheme was turned down

by Ryedale District Council on the grounds that the design was not compatible with the character of Pickering, there would be an imbalance in the size of houses to be built, and an over-provision of new homes in the town.

A meeting of the Market Town Initiative is to be held at the Memorial Hall on Wednesday, from 3pm to 8 pm.

lThe spring judging of the Yorkshire In Bloom competition is to be held between March 29 and April 16.

Young offenders under the probation service are to carry out work on the Smiddy Hill garden project, clearing the bed and digging the foundations for a footpath. They will also paint the railings on the popular garden area which is being transformed into a lavender garden.

lThe town council has provided a new trophy for the handicrafts category in Pickering and District Horticultural Society's annual show, because the existing one had deteriorated through age.

Updated: 11:44 Monday, January 26, 2004