Easingwold Market Place Improvement

I have just been given a copy of the new plans to vandalize the Easingwold Market Place in the name of progress and to meet disability legislation, but bizarrely, we are going to need the fittest disabled in the land to negotiate the Market Place as they are expected to struggle round the western side rather than past the Town Hall (Advertiser Office) if they wish to go to the Post Office or the Commercial Public House from, say, the Galtres side of the Market Place. There is no provision (ie money left) to create smooth walkways for wheelchair access across the cobbles, which makes a mockery of the whole plan.We are going to end up with a one way system to rival anything York has to offer and a multitude of new signage, coloured road surfaces and, in all probability, some Traffic Wardens to administer this fiasco for their plan is to resurrect Disc Parking to begin with on the western side of the Town Hall. As you are all probably aware Disc Parking leads to Paid Parking as our fellow Hambleton District residents in Thirsk are about to find out. (How to kill a rural market town in two easy steps). The bus stops are to be moved from beside the Butter Cross and the front of the Town Hall to the side of the public phone box near the Galtres Centre and right next to the Green opposite the Town Hall together with a new bus shelter (I thought the Butter Cross was used as a bus shelter when it rains), all in the name of progress. In addition there will be a one way system running clockwise round the Market Place. Strange how progress costs so much when the roads in and around Easingwold are full of holes and are desperately in need of repair. Perhaps the money designated for this ill thought out scheme could be better used. I have been told by a reliable source that the last proposed traffic scheme for the Market Place cost over £250,000 (of Council Tax Payers money) on plans, consultations and admin, so how much will this little lot cost.This Scheme seems to be designed with very intention of creating a GHOST TOWN putting everyone off from entering, and even keeping the locals in check. Why can’t people leave well enough alone? The Market Place works. (How typical of today’s ultra inefficient local government who would rather waste money than address the real needs of keeping the streets safe and clean and the roads maintained to a reasonable standard.)If you wish to see these plans for yourself you will need to go the Town Clerk’s office at the Police House on Church Hill, Easingwold. You can express your views in writing  to Mrs C Armitage, Clerk to Parish Council, Police House, Church Hill, Easingwold, York YO61 3JX or by e-mail to Easingwold Town Council office, clerk.easingwold@btconnect.comWrite to North Yorkshire County Council  (Mr N Smith) Highways and Transportation office  Area No 2 Thirsk Industrial Park Thirsk YO7 3BX. email area2.thirsk@northyorks.gov.ukEasingwold Town Council are holding a special Council Meeting on Monday 1 September 7 pm at the Galtres Centre, when a decision will be made to support or object to the proposed scheme as submitted. Please attend and put a stop to this foolishness. I know this scheme will impact greatly here at G H Smith & Son and The Easingwold Advertiser & Weekly News, but we will not be the only ones to suffer. It will have a widespread effect and inconvenience all who come to Easingwold.Editor


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