Yorkshire Dales need a 40mph speed limit and £10 toll – Yorkshire Post Letters

AFTER experiencing absolute bliss, peace, quiet, tranquility and appreciation of the beautiful Dales during the recent restrictions, it came as a shock when, suddenly, excessive motorbikes and car noise descended onto our roads at Stainforth.

Throughout the week we have had speeding lorries, pollution and dust whilst out walking on our local paths. Then, as soon as the sunshine appears, it’s motorbike mayhem, speeding along the Settle to Hawes road. Something radical has to be done.

I have read that some people in authority are considering traffic-free days once a month. This would make things worse, encouraging more motorbikes to visit on the days that they can.

My approach would be to have a speed limit of 40mph throughout the Dales. This would not encourage “the racer motorcyclist”, make the roads safer for walkers and cyclists, and reduce pressure on the emergency services.

The other problem is car drivers parking illegally. At Stainforth Force, there is a complete disregard for the yellow lines near the Packhorse bridge.

So another idea is to have a toll system like in London. To visit the Dales you pay, say £10, but parking is free and you can only park in official car parks. Only a certain amount of spaces would be available, so that would help reduce too many visitors.

There would be free spots for locals who would have a pass to show they were residents.

This might encourage people to use other means of transport, cycles, buses, trains or, heaven forbid, walk somewhere further than one mile from the car.

From: Brian H Sheridan, Lodge Moor, Sheffield.

TO my shame, I have hardly ever ridden a bicycle since I learnt to drive many years ago, so I’m not sure that I’m grateful to Malcolm Margolis for reminding me what I have missed (The Yorkshire Post, June 2).

I recall that, as a child, you were not considered a “big boy” or “big girl” until you could ride a “two-wheeler”. This was never better illustrated than in the film Goodnight Mr Tom when an 11-year-old evacuee, cared for by a widower played by the late, great John Thaw, careers down a hill into the arms of his overjoyed guardian and in his excitement announces: “I can ride, Dad.” One of the most moving of endings.

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James Mitchinson

Editor