Ripon City Council has devised plans to create a series of brightly-lit ‘magic roundabouts’ to attract more visitors.
Under the proposals, lighting that can change colour according to the occasion will be installed on trees on five roundabouts on Ripon bypass.
The lights could, for example, turn red on Valentine’s Day, green on St Patrick’s Day and red, white and blue for national celebrations, such as the Queen’s birthday.
Roundabouts on the stretch of bypass from the McDonald’s restaurant on Harrogate Road to the junction with Dishforth Road have been targeted for the scheme.
Council leader Andrew Williams, whose idea received unanimous support at a virtual full council meeting this week. told the Stray Ferret:
“We don’t want passing motorists to miss out on the attractions of Ripon and this offers a magical way of encouraging them to come and stay awhile amid the city’s ancient charms – as we say on our boundary sign.”
One of the roundabouts that could be lit up through the new scheme.
The council, which has an underspend available from its 2020-2021 budget, agreed to allocate £10,000 towards the bypass scheme.
North Yorkshire County Council is responsible for roads and street lighting so it has to approve the idea.
Ripon City Council spent an additional £65,000 on the city’s Christmas lights – diverting money from its events budget to pay for the scheme.
That funding, which was criticised by some on social media, became available because the money could not be spent on a series of community and civic events — such as celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day — due to covid.
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Cllr Williams added:
“In the run-up to Christmas, workmen from North Yorkshire County Council did a fantastic job putting up our festive lighting.
“The adaptations they made to the lamp posts will stand us in good stead for the future.”
“We may also be able to receive financial support from businesses located close to the bypass – such as Marks & Spencer on Rotary Way.”
Councillor Stuart Martin “fully supported” the roundabouts idea. He added:
“You can imagine the lit-up trees on the roundabouts featuring in special celebrations for the Queen and to promote events in Ripon.”
