A petition calling for a 30mph speed limit on Whitby’s New Bridge will be debated by councillors this week.
More than 500 residents have signed a petition calling for a speed limit reduction on New Bridge in Whitby over concerns about the safety of students and families who walk across it to reach Whitby School.
The issue was raised in Parliament earlier this year by the MP for Scarborough and Whitby Alison Hume.
The Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee’s next meeting on Friday, November 28, is set to debate the proposal.
The petition states:
“New Bridge in Whitby currently has a 40mph speed limit from the traffic lights at Prospect Hill to the end of the bridge.
“The entrance to Whitby School (Airy Hill site) for Year 7 and 8 is situated on this section of road. We are concerned about the safety of students and families who have to walk along the bridge to access their school and the Eastside."
The petition’s organiser is Elizabeth Mulheran, a member of Whitby Town Council for the West Cliff division.
NYC’s highways and transportation officer has already commented on the petition, stating that the local area manager “has committed to carrying out a new speed survey once the traffic signals at Spital Bridge are operational”.
The officer added:
“The findings from this survey will inform a review of the posted speed limit over New Bridge as part of the countywide assessment.
“The signals are expected to be functioning by early December, which means the speed survey could take place in the New Year. The subsequent speed limit assessment is likely to follow shortly thereafter.”
Ms Hume, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, has called on the Government to give parish councils the power to introduce local speed limits.
Speaking in the House of Commons in June, Ms Hume said:
“There is a busy bridge on the A171 in my constituency, which is used by pupils in years 7 and 8 based at the Airy Hill site of Whitby School, as well as the parents and pupils who attend Airy Hill primary school and tourists photographing the steam trains that can be seen below.
“It is a very noisy and windy bridge with heavy road and foot traffic, and it is high above the estuary. Despite that, there are no zebra crossings or raised kerbs, and the speed limit is 40mph.
“Understandably, local residents are really worried. They have tried to lower the speed limit to 30mph, but North Yorkshire council is not interested, so they have raised a petition themselves.”
Scarborough Athletic Secure Another Hull City Loanee
Dredging Boost for Whitby and Scarborough Harbours as Restrictions Relaxed
Scarborough MP: New and Exciting Things Opening Up
Scarborough Athletic Face South East Hike
Whitby Town Chase Rushall Double
Bridlington Town Back At Home With Consett Tuning Up
Operation Scooter Targets Moped and Motorcycle Theft in Eastfield and Filey
Scarborough and Bridlington Rugby Try To Stay On Top
Pickering Town's Destination is Doncaster
Challenges for North Yorkshire Moors Railway as Historic Bridge Repairs Hit Complications
Goodbye and Thank You to Whitby RNLI Chairman, Mike Major
Police Appeal After Night-time Assault in Whitby
Comments
Add a comment