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30
Mar
Petition calls on council to progress plans for extended pedestrian-only hours on Ripon street
A petition seeking support for the extension of pedestrian-only hours on a Ripon street has been launched.
Ripon City Council last year requested North Yorkshire Council launch a formal consultation on plans to extend the pedestrian-only hours on Kirkgate – effectively banning cars between the hours of 10am and 5pm, or until 9pm between March 31 and September 30.
A group of independent Ripon traders echoed the calls and felt the move would play a key role in regenerating Ripon.
But Cllr Andrew Williams, who leads the Independents Putting Ripon Before Party Politics group on the city council and is also the North Yorkshire councillor for Kirkgate, told the Stray Ferret in December he had been “largely banging my head against a brick wall” in discussions with North Yorkshire Council on the topic.
There has been little progress since, but a petition calling on North Yorkshire Council to press ahead with plans for the extension has now been launched.
It has been backed by Kirkgate businesses, plus local residents and councillors.
Ripon resident David Ingham, who has backed the petition, told the Stray Ferret it must reach 500 signatures for it to be considered at North Yorkshire Council's next Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee.
He added:
The road is supposed to be partly pedestrianised and for access only, but the access is abused with vehicles left parked half on pavements, causing dangers for people with mobility problems as well as for families with pushchairs. It often creates an eyesore of what should be the most picturesque and is the most photographed road in the city.
David Ingham (left) is pictured with independent traders, (left to right) Stu Ross, Richard Hughes and David Stead.
The petition reiterates Ripon City Council's plans to pedestrianise the street between 10am and 5pm, or until 9pm during the summer months, by installing "timed, automatic rising bollards".
It says:
The Ripon City Council call for a formal public consultation is now being blocked by North Yorkshire Council.
Kirkgate should be a place where people feel safe to walk, shop and spend time – supporting local businesses and strengthening our city.
The petition, which will be shared on Ripon social media pages to sign in the coming days, calls on North Yorkshire Council to “launch the consultation. Back Kirkgate. Put people first”.
Physical copies will also be circulated around the city centre to sign, Mr Ingham told the Stray Ferret.
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