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Dec 2020

Politics

'Drivers treat our road like a racetrack', say Ripon residents

Published: 23 Dec 2020, 11:37 GMT

by Tim Flanagan

Residents are particularly concerned about the safety of Ripon Grammar School pupils crossing Kirkby Road. A 300 metre length of the road did not have its white lines replaced when resurfacing work was completed in August.

Ripon residents have raised safety fears about a section of unmarked road used "like a racetrack" by speeding motorists.

A 300 metre length of Kirkby Road did not have white lines replaced when resurfacing work was completed in August.

Ten nearby residents met the Stray Ferret to discuss their concerns.

Helen Mars, a teacher at Ripon Grammar School who has two young children, said:

“With the speed that some drivers come along this stretch, it’s like a racetrack – particularly at the weekends.

“As this is a road that it also used by very large lorries, we believe that it is dangerous without the white lines and an accident waiting to happen.”

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Residents are particularly concerned about the lack of a crossing patrol for Ripon Grammar School students, who use a path alongside the Kirkby Road allotments on their way to school.

Barbara Brodigan said:

“At least 100 children cross the road in the mornings and evenings on their way to and from school.

“Our previous requests for localised speed restrictions, a crossing and other traffic calming measures have fallen on deaf ears at North Yorkshire County Council.

“We’ve been told that a crossing can’t be introduced because the path alongside the allotments is not an officially recognised route to the grammar school.

“In effect, that means the students cross at their own peril – which is clearly unacceptable.”

Christina Thomson Jones added:

“I have lived on Kirkby Road for 29 years and the traffic issues appear to get worse and worse.

“One of my neighbours was killed while crossing the road in 1996 and nobody wants to see another fatality."

County Councillor Mike Chambers, who represents Ripon North, said he was aware of the issues and sympathetic to calls for safety measures. He said:

"I have spoken with the county council's traffic department about the need for a crossing, introduction of a 20 mph speed limit and even the possibility of having a one way system.

"I have another meeting with the department on January 6 and will raise these issues again and ask about replacement of the white lines, but at the end of the day, it's down to budget availability.

"Installing a lights-controlled crossing costs up to £50,000."

Although that money may not currently be available, Cllr Chambers is hopeful that safety measures could be funded as part of highway works to accommodate the Ripon Barracks housing development.

He said:

"The developer will have to make payments through a Section 106 agreement for works associated with the scheme and we may be able to get some of that money to address the safety issues on Kirkby Road."

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'Drivers treat our road like a racetrack', say Ripon residents

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