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10
Sept
Ripon residents sign petition about construction site traffic
A large housing development's impact on roads in a residential area of Ripon has prompted residents to raise a petition calling for urgent action.
The residents, who live on or near Whitcliffe Lane, turned out in force at Monday’s full Ripon City Council meeting to voice concerns about the increased lorry traffic to and from Taylor Wimpey’s site on West Lane, where the 390-home Fountains Walk scheme is under construction.
Last month a letter was sent by the housebuilder to people living near the development advising them to expect an increase in the volume of lorries moving soil from the site over a six-month period.
The letter said this would involve 20-30 trucks daily (Monday to Friday) travelling along the designated construction route on Whitcliffe Lane.
A soil carrying lorry on Whitcliffe Lane
The residents' petition says:
For months, Whitcliffe Lane has been the sole route for heavy machinery and construction-related vehicles. This has led not only to increased traffic but also noise pollution, decreased air quality, and a deterioration of road safety for pedestrians and local residents.
The presence of heavy wagons without proper wheel washing or covered trailers has heightened the risks, leaving roads dusty and hazardous, with debris scattered across. Daily road cleaning, though necessary, remains insufficient to counteract these problems long term.
In addition to the lorries carrying soil from the site, Whitcliffe Lane is used by other construction traffic.
Victoria Kirkman, who lives on Whitcliffe Lane, said at Monday's meeting:
We call upon Taylor Wimpey and the relevant local authorities to reassess and amend the traffic management plan immediately. This commitment to safety and community welfare must take precedence. By signing this petition, you help us urge those in power to make these pivotal changes necessary for our community's safety and well-being.
The health, safety, and welfare of the Whitcliffe residents, including children, the elderly, and vulnerable families, are at stake due to the current traffic management plan implemented for the Taylor Wimpey development.
Councillors responded by agreeing to raise the residents' concerns with North Yorkshire Council planners, calling on them to rigorously enforce planning conditions set for the development.
The elected members also resolved to write to York and North Yorkshire deputy mayor for policing, fire and crime, Jo Coles, asking for police to monitor the speed of construction traffic travelling to and from the site.
The Fountains Walk new homes development at West Lane,
Taylor Wimpey's response
A spokesperson for Talor Wimpey said:
We are aware of residents' concerns regarding the soil movement works taking place at our West Lane development in Ripon.
We apologise for any disturbance this may be causing and would like to assure residents that we are doing all we can to keep disruption to a minimum.
We will continue to work closely with North Yorkshire Council throughout the planning and implementation of these works.”
The spokesperson, added:
There will be an increase in frequency of road sweeping and, should weather conditions require, a wheel washing system will also be installed on site.
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