Ongoing effort to 'improve pedestrian safety' in Scarborough town centre

Police have been targeting cyclists riding on pavements

Author: Karen LiuPublished 17th Aug 2022

Police in Scarborough have been carrying out a 'day of action' in the town centre to improve pedestrian safety.

The Community Impact Team targeted cyclists riding on pavements yesterday (Tuesday 16th August) and the operation was part of a new project aimed at protecting residents and visitors doing their shopping from vehicles and bicycles.

The force says more than 40 people were spoken to on the day who were spotted riding their bicycles on pavements.

PC Kirsty Masters, who organised the operation, said: “Each of the riders were advised of the danger they were causing to pedestrians and were asked to get off their bikes. If they refused, they would have faced a £50 fine.

“When we explained our operation, most of the people were very understanding and appreciative of our actions.

“Whilst enforcement is always an option we can take, our main focus is on engagement and educating cyclists so that they are aware of the vulnerability of pedestrians in our busy town centre.”

Police reminder of traffic restrictions in the town centre

Last month, the Scarborough Community Impact Team launched the new pedestrian safety project following a series of collisions in the town centre pedestrian zone involving vehicles in recent years.

Following consultations with nearby businesses, general concerns were raised about vehicles using the precinct as a cut-through and as a car park at all times of day by members of the public.

North Yorkshire County Council has put clear signage in place about the restricted areas and an advice leaflet has been produced with assistance from Scarborough Borough Council.

Police say this is not a total ban on vehicles and there are expections:

  • Access is granted to goods vehicles between 4pm and 11am to load and unload
  • Utility vehicles have an exemption to the regulation but must adhere to the one-way system which is in place
  • Emergency services also have full right of access at any time

You can obtain a copy of the leaflet from SBC Customer Direct on St Nicholas Street or from Scarborough Police Station on Northway.

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