Sir, – It is a fact, universally acknowledged, that Northallerton has traffic problems.
Previous letters to this paper have drawn timely attention to the need for a bypass. But this is only one solution. Equally vital is the need to welcome more pedestrians and cyclists.
Sadly, such an attitude seems woefully absent from the council’s thinking. For example, the new development at Yafforth Road appears to have no plans for a pavement along the obvious route past Barker’s furniture store and over the rail bridge.
This is despite the fact that pedestrians brave enough to walk these few hundred meters into town currently have to cross a busy road (with no traffic lights) twice, then a bridge with barley enough room for a pram. Hardly appealing.
An existing right of way will be retained over the railway. However, I understand that this won’t be paved and there are no plans to broaden it or light it. As such, it'll only appeal to those who prefer their business kept from the CCTV cameras and lights of the high street.
With such poor choice most will see driving as the only option, adding many new cars to this already congested route into town.
However, it needn't be this way. It's been shown that if people are provided with safe and attractive walkways, they’ll use them. And once they do it becomes a positive cycle: for every family who walks rather than drives, traffic, noise and air pollution are reduced, making the streets more attractive to pedestrians and bikes.
This isn’t about making life for motorists more difficult, as for many a car is the only way to reach Northallerton. Instead it is about encouraging journeys by foot within town where possible. Northallerton is a vibrant and historic market town with much for pedestrians to enjoy. Spending a small amount of money, time and imagination considering how to encourage them will pay dividends in the long run.
ELSPETH DUEMMER WRIGLEY
Danby Wiske, Northallerton.
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