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25
Jul
Ripon councillors object to A61 speed restriction plan
City councillors are objecting to plans to reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph on sections of the A61 between Ripon and the roundabout at Ripley.
In late August and early September last year, four people including two children were killed in two separate incidents in the space of eight days on the A61 at South Stainley.
This prompted local residents to call for action from Ripon's MP Julian Smith, who subsequently contacted North Yorkshire Council.
The council is now proposing a Traffic Regulation Order to 'reduce vehicular traffic speed in order to improve road safety'.
But Councillor Peter Horton, whose proposal to object was supported by fellow members at yesterday evening's Ripon City Council meeting, said:
Reducing the speed limit on sections of the road will not improve safety, but will increase queueing traffic and reduce the opportunities for overtaking HGVs and other large vehicles.
Councillor Pauline McHardy added:
The A61 has always been an accident waiting to happen, but putting a 50mph restriction in place won't work. It's a heavily used road and it doesn't have enough passing places.
Last October, in response to contact from Mr Smith, North Yorkshire Council chief executive Richard Flinton sent a letter to the MP, in which he said:
In recognition of community concerns, North Yorkshire Council is currently carrying out a series of speed surveys along the A61, with a view to reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph.
Whilst mean speeds are unlikely to be excessive, the intention here is to set the expectations of the motorist, of the lack of overtaking opportunities, bends and other hazards associated with a high speed rural road.
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