‘Shocking state’ of Sharow roads prevents motorists from going green

The ‘shocking state’ of roads in Sharow is preventing motorists from going green, according to villager James Thornborough.

Mr Thornborough is so upset about the state of the roads that he has raised the matter with Skipton and Ripon Conservative MP Julian Smith and North Yorkshire County Council chief executive Richard Flinton.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The road surfaces are in such a shocking state, that it is not safe to drive on them in smaller vehicles that use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.”

In email correspondence with Mr Smith and Mr Flinton, Mr Thornborough said:

“Given the national government wishes us at our expense to go green ASAP, how can that be achieved If you force village owners like myself to abandon my small commute car in favour of a mid-size SUV to traverse Sharow roads?

“Please note that I did not say navigate our roads because that is now impossible. Every journey stresses suspension parts, grazes tyre side walls, and forces one to meander from one side to another attempting to choose the path of least damage.”

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Photo of pot holed Sharow Road

New Lane, in need of attention

Mr Thornborough’s email, which was copied to the Stray Ferret, added:

“The local Sharow roads consist of pot holes, fissures, and bald tarmac top interrupted by the occasional neat tarmac patch and useless NYCC highways tarmac toothpaste repairs. The tarmac toothpaste repairs started disintegrating the day after application.

“We still have large pot holes marked for repair but not filled.”

Photo of Sharow Lane

The uneven surface on Sharow Lane

In an emailed reply to Mr Thornborough, Mr Flinton, said:

“I have copied in Nigel Smith who is head of highway operations for the council, Mr Smith will look into the issues that you have raised and respond directly with you.”

At the time of publication, no response had been received from Julian Smith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call for wider parking bays in Ripon to cater for larger cars

Ripon City Council has called for parking spaces at Cathedral Car Park to be widened to accommodate larger vehicles.

The city’s biggest car park is due to undergo resurfacing works costing £85,000 and Councillor Pauline McHardy called for parking bays to be enlarged as part of the upgrade.

Speaking at the December city council meeting, she said:

“Modern vehicles are wider and with the current size of the spaces, people find it difficult to get in and out of their cars.

“After the resurfacing work has been carried out, the bays should be enlarged.”

Cllr McHardy’s call for enlargement was seconded by Councillor Chris Davis, who told the meeting:

“The bays are narrow and I’ve often found it difficulty to find a parking space that my car will fit in.”

Councillors voted unanimously to support the request, which will be made to Harrogate Borough Council.

The 193-bay car park sits in view of the cathedral and is used by drivers for long and short stays.

Harrogate Borough Council, in a contract notice for the work issued this year, said the site had become worn and hazardous to members of the public.

It added:

“Over the years the current surface of the car park has become pot-holed, with large areas of loose tarmac resulting in trip hazards to members of the public, and claims for vehicle damage.”

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The contract is for a complete resurfacing of the car park, and to increase the number of parking spaces to 206, along with 10 disabled bays.

The council will also require the contractors to undertake trunking and ductwork in preparation for the installation of electric vehicle charging points.