Whitby's experimental closure of the town's Swing Bridge at weekends combined with the loss of car parks for COVID testing is causing a perfect storm of traffic chaos in the town according to local councillors.
Town Councillor Gareth Jackson says the last few weekends have seen the traffic problems spread out across the town and not just at the swing bridge.
The town's swing bridge is currently closed at weekends as part of a year long traffic experiment, that combined with the loss of the Park and Ride car park which is being used as a COVID testing centre and the loss of other car parks when the towns vaccination centre is in use at Whitby Pavilion, are causing major traffic problems according to Councillor Jackson.
A meeting of Whitby Town Council's Development and Improvement Committee this week agreed to write to the county council calling for an interim review of the bridge scheme.
Richard Marr, is North Yorkshire County Council's Highways Area Manager, he said:
"Whitby is incredibly busy at the moment and we believe the trial has so far being successful in allowing pedestrians to move more freely which has been integral for social distancing. Over the last few years we have had to close the Swing Bridge to traffic at incredibly busy times due to safety concerns so we see this as a long-term solution.
The use of a number of car parks for testing and vaccination sites does mean that we are not seeing a reflection of normal circumstances. From June 29th Whitby Park and Ride will be open on Tuesdays and when Whitby Pavilion is not being used as a vaccination site arrangements will be in place to open Scarborough Borough Council car parks.
We have not received a request from the town council to review the experimental traffic order and at this time we do not believe it would be appropriate. I would like to remind the public that we are in a consultation period and are inviting their views during the current trial to shape our plans going forward. I would stress that this is a trial and it will be reviewed before any decision is made about its permanence. "
To take part in the survey visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/whitby-swing-bridge
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