Views wanted on draft design of new cycling and walking route in Whitby
Whitby residents are being urged to take part in the second round of consultation on proposals to enhance facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
Whitby residents are being urged to take part in the second round of consultation on proposals to enhance facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
North Yorkshire County Council has received £1,011,750 from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund to improve the infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.
The grant, which must be spent during the 2021/22 financial year, is earmarked to fund work along four corridors to improve access to the town centres for cyclists and pedestrians, allowing for more space for social distancing.
During the second phase of consultation the public are being asked to comment on draft designs for each scheme.. The results of the consultation will be used to develop the draft designs further and a decision will be made on which schemes will progress.
In Whitby, the proposal is for a corridor to connect the Whitby Park and Ride site at Victoria Farm with Whitby town centre. The route would be along Guisborough Road and Mayfield Road. At Prospect Hill, it is anticipated users would continue to the town centre along local routes.
In the Harrogate area, three cycle improvement corridors are proposed.
County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said:
"We thank all those residents who took part in the first round of consultation on the outline proposals for these four schemes.
“We have listened to that and are trying to reach a broad consensus about the measures we put in place, given that these directly affect people’s movements and their property. We think we can come up with something that addresses most of the concerns raised, but that still provides significant benefits for people who are cycling and walking.
"We encourage residents to take part in this latest consultation. Your views are important to us and they will help shape the final designs of these four schemes.”
People are invited to give their comments by completing an online survey, which will run until Monday, April 12. To take part please visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/socialdistancingandactivetravel
Paper copies of the survey are available on request by emailing ltp@northyorks.gov.uk
A public meeting is also being held this month to discuss the proposals. The meeting to discuss the Whitby scheme is on March 31 from 3-4pm.
They will be held online due to Government restrictions around Covid-19 and can be accessed at the specified times at www.northyorks.gov.uk/socialdistancingandactivetravel
Covid-19 lockdown restrictions mean it is not possible to hold public consultation events.
The County Council bid for the funding last summer, after assessing 300 schemes across the county, including some received from the public, interest groups and county councillors.
The Active Travel Fund allocation is the second phase of funding from the Department for Transport following the Covid-19 lockdown last March. The first phase supported temporary infrastructure to aid social distancing. The Active Travel Fund is part of a £2bn five-year sustainable travel package from the Government.