Debate isurged on'vision' forcity traffic

TRAFFIC jams in a historic North Yorkshire city could be eased by closing congestion hotspots to traffic, according to a campaigner’s strategy.

Pedestrians would also benefit from the new measures to tackle car use in Ripon, it is claimed.

“Ripon Vision 2015” is a proposal drawn up by Ripon resident Stanley Mackintosh, which sets out ideas for staged changes in the traffic patterns of Ripon and solutions to parking problems.

Among its aims are the pedestrianisation of the Market Square and Kirkgate, the construction of a multi-storey car park and associated shopping area on the current car park behind Sainsbury’s store, and the closing of Minster Road to through traffic.

David Winpenny, chairman of Ripon Civic Society, welcomed the ideas.

He said yesterday: “This is a well-thought-out plan that would achieve many of the ideas that the Civic Society has put forward over the last few years.

“While we do not agree with everything that Mr Mackintosh has proposed, we feel that by facilitating a public meeting at which he can put forward his ideas might help to widen the important debate about the future of Ripon.”

Mr Mackintosh’s vision will be outlined at a meeting arranged by Ripon Civic Society on Thursday, October 28, starting at 7.30pm.

“Please come along to the meeting – preferably with an open mind – and hear what he has to say,” Mr Winpenny added.

Mr Mackintosh is well known as an independently-minded campaigner living in Ripon’s historic city centre.

A chartered civil engineer with highways experience, he has been fighting for a number of years for radical changes to Ripon’s traffic system.