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Jun 2021

Last Updated: 29/06/2021

Politics

'The roads around Ripon's Market Square are unfit and unsafe'

by Tim Flanagan

| 29 Jun, 2021

Ripon City Council voted unanimously last night to write to North Yorkshire County Council calling for resurfacing work to be carried out as a matter of urgency. Councillors say the state of the roads can't be defended.

Pressure is growing for urgent work to take place to improve the state of some of Ripon's busiest roads.

Ripon City Council voted unanimously last night to write to North Yorkshire County Council calling for resurfacing work to be carried out as a matter of urgency.

The principal areas of concern are parts of the Market Place roads where block paving has lifted and cracked because of the volume of traffic.

North Yorkshire County Council has carried out temporary repairs by putting tarmac over the worst-affected sections, leaving the surface looking like a patchwork quilt.

Councillors want to see comprehensive repairs to the city centre roads, as Market Square is the focal point of entertainment and activities, including the weekly Thursday and Saturday markets.

At last night's meeting, two Conservative county councillors joined independent city councillors to call for urgent repairs.

Councillor Stuart Martin, who is chairman of North Yorkshire County Council, and Cllr Mike Chambers, are also Ripon city and Harrogate district councillors.

They said they have been pushing for repairs to the Market Place East and West roads and other roads in the city.

Speaking about the long-term calls for repairs, Cllr Martin, who represents Ripon South on North Yorkshire County Council, said:

"You can't defend the indefensible. We have been consulting about the east and west carriageways for some time and they need to be sorted out."

Cllr Chambers, who represents Ripon North at County Hall, added

"We have been pushing for repairs to the road surfaces and will continue to do so."

The county councillors were responding to a call from city council leader Andrew Williams for North Yorkshire County Council to use reserve funds to pay for work.

Ripon roads under the spotlight

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Last week, in response to Stray Ferret questions about the state of city centre roads, Barrie Mason, North Yorkshire County Council's assistant director for highways and transportation, said:

“Ripon Market Place is being considered for future funding within our forward programme for 2022/23.

“A number of the areas of most concern are associated with poorly performing utility reinstatements and we are seeking urgent action on these from the companies concerned.”

But Cllr Williams told last night's meeting:

"We can't wait until next year. The roads around Market Square are unfit, unsafe for motorists, cyclist and pedestrians and unacceptable."

The square will also be a key venue for next year's events celebrating the queen's platinum jubilee.

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'The roads around Ripon's Market Square are unfit and unsafe'

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