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25
Feb
Council report recommends creating mobility hub to boost public transport in Ripon
A £50,000 feasibility study has recommended creating a mobility hub building, putting on extra buses and introducing car and bike share schemes to improve transport in Ripon.
Members of North Yorkshire Council's Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee commissioned the study in 2024.
It sought ways to improve walking, cycling and public transport in the city and reduce dependency on cars.
Now, a report due before the committee has outlined some “emerging findings” from the study.
The options range from £175,000 to £2 million in cost.
The most expensive option, known as option C, would see a "major bus station redevelopment" and additional bus services on a weekend. However, the council said this would score "poorly on deliverability" and would be an "operational risk".
Option B, which is the council’s preferred option, recommends creating a small 'mobility hub' building, doubling the frequency of the 70/X70 bus to Thirsk, adding bus lay-bys on Moss Arcade, introducing bike and car share schemes and public realm improvements.
Mobility hubs replace traditional car parks by providing shared space for initiatives such as car and bike sharing schemes and e-bike parking.
The proposals would cost up to £1.5 million and have an annual operational cost of between £250,000 to £300,000, according to the report.
Keisha Moore, senior transport planning officer at the council, said option B offered a “good balance” and were backed in principle by bus operators.
She said:
Option B is the ‘Do Medium’ option which offers a good balance of strategic benefit, risk and affordable costs. This option increases bus frequency, increases opportunities for modal shift as well as introducing local satellite hubs which mean you do not have to travel to the city centre to travel sustainably or switch mode.
Ms Moore added that no funding has been identified for the proposals but grants could be sought from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, national funders or North Yorkshire Council.
Councillors on Skipton and Ripon area committee will discuss the study at a meeting on March 5.
Better connections to Thirsk and London
The report has been published shortly after Ripon Business Improvement District said it had been in talks with David Skaith, the mayor of York and North Yorkshire, about plans to introduce a shuttle bus between the city and Thirsk.
Ripon BID said a shuttle bus would provide a low cost economic boost by connecting the city with the East Coast Main Line.
However, Mr Skaith gave a cool response when the Stray Ferret asked if there was any prospect of it happening.
He said:
Our upcoming bus funding means we're under enormous pressure to maintain services as they are with limited scope to support new services.
We'll keep working with communities across our region to make sure their ambitions are reflected in our long-term plan for transport in the region, which helps me make the argument to government and get the funding we need and deserve.
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