A COUNCIL has responded to traders’ fears over scheduled maintenance work to large areas of the cobbles in a North Yorkshire market town during the build-up to the tourist season.

Richmond businesses had voiced concerns to North Yorkshire County Council about the works, which was due to cover an extensive area of the cobbles from early April to the end of June, that it would adversely affect trade.

Peter Warne, who runs Ken Warne’s grocers in the Market Place, said he was also concerned that the works would coincide with the opening of the new Catterick Garrison town centre – due to launch this summer.

He said Richmond should be at its best in order to compete with the considerable free car parking available in the garrison - and after making numerous representations to the authority, it agreed to change the way it had planned to carry out the work.

A spokeswoman for the county council said: “The authority is investing a further £80,000 in Richmond market place in the coming financial year as part of its highways maintenance programme.

“The intention is to retain and maintain its historic and aesthetic value, attractiveness to visitors, and address issues of highway safety.”

The council said it is committed to relaying and repairing the cobbles - and has taken into account the concerns of traders that the work could deter people from the town.

Leader of Richmondshire District Council Cllr John Blackie said: “I do understand the concerns of Richmond businesses.

“The county council’s track record of cobbling work hasn’t been good. The length of time it can take is a major concern – especially as it will clash with the opening of Catterick Garrison town centre.

“The best time for the work to be done is September to October, ahead of the frost.”

County councillor for Richmond, Cllr Stuart Parsons, has had long-running battles with the council over its standards of cobble works and has also been speaking to businesses about their concerns, making representations on their behalf to the authority.

The county council spokeswoman said in response to concerns the authority is to complete the large sections of cobbling in smaller chunks - so that more of the market square can continue to be used at any one time.

She added: “The contractor will also have a representative on site who will visit each of the affected businesses on a daily basis to discuss the progress of the works and to take into account, where possible, any of their requests relating to the operations and deliveries.

“In this way we hope to complete the programme, which will enhance the town’s appearance, but in such a way that will reduce, where possible, the impact on the local businesses.”