The rapidly-deteriorating condition of many Ripon roads came under the spotlight at a virtual meeting yesterday.
Officers from North Yorkshire County Council were invited by Ripon City Council to explain the reason for extended delays to repair and renewal work for roads, including those surrounding the Market Square, Minister Road and Dallamires Lane.
The city council had wanted NYCC to make the meeting, which was held on Teams, open to the media, but in an email exchange yesterday .Karl Battersby, NYCC’s corporate director for business and environmental services, said:
“My position remains that I am not prepared to have the discussion with the media present.”
Minster Road, which runs past Ripon Cathedral, is in need of repairs
In an earlier email, Mr Battersby said:
“Our understanding was that this would be a frank and open discussion in private to try and reach a better understanding together of the possibilities and restrictions. At no point was this to be a press conference.”
After the meeting, city council leader Andrew Williams, who was involved in the email exchange and made the unsuccessful attempt to have it open to journalists and the public, told the Stray Ferret plans to improve Market Place East were agreed. He said:
“I can’t understand why North Yorkshire County Council didn’t want the press and public to be involved. It was cordial and constructive and would have given the officers a means to explain to the wider population the situation they face in Ripon and other parts of the county.
“With the government settlement meaning a loss of £4million from the highways budget, they are strapped for cash, but the officers did understand the concerns raised by myself and other councillors involved in the call.
“We were pleased to hear that a scheme for Market Place East will be drawn up and other areas are being looked at.”
Councillor Williams added:
“While roads in an around the city are in need of repair, we will continue to bang the drum on Ripon’s behalf.”
Read more:
Council approves new footpaths for Conyngham Hall
Plans for new footpaths and signposts on the Conyngham Hall grounds in Knaresborough have been approved by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee.
A retrospective planning application was put before the committee this week to allow councillors to vote on the works done on the popular walking spot.
The works included the resurfacing of existing footpaths as well as the construction of a new footpath on the banks of the River Nidd. Timber steps were also put into a steep section of Collins Banks.
These renovations were done alongside local environmental groups and the parks department.
A retrospective application means most of the works have already been completed. They were carried out throughout last year using government funding from the Pocket Park Grant Funding. The total cost has been £27,000.
The plans include new footpaths and signposts. Photograph: Harrogate Borough Council
The application was approved with 10 councillors voting for and two abstaining.
However, one Liberal Democrat councillor and a member of the public raised their concerns during the meeting.
Both said the size of the stones was too large. The member of the public added that the new footpath had created muddy and flooded surfaces.
Read more:
- Vandals thought to be responsible for damage to memorial tree.
- Plans for 94 flats in Harrogate refused.
Cllr Pat Marsh said she had fallen on the new footpath twice and had heard other walkers had fallen too. She voted for the application but wanted to ensure smaller stones were used to cover these footpaths in the future.
She said:
“Initially they had to have signs put up to ask people to take care walking on the new footpaths. The bigger stone made it difficult to walk it some areas especially the steep sections. We need to ensure it’s safe for everyone.”
The council’s parks department added that further works are planned to “top up” some of the current works to improve the walkways.