Should town’s market remain car-free after trial period?
CONSULTATION IS SEEKING PEOPLE’S VIEWS
EAST Riding Council has called for views from residents, visitors and businesses on whether to keep Beverley’s Saturday Market car-free following a trial launched earlier this year.
East Riding Council stated its consultation, which runs until Friday, November 5, sought views on whether to keep the market area between The Grapes and The King’s Head pedestrianised.
The trial, launched in May, saw tables and chairs set up during Saturday Market in place of car parking under an Experimental
Traffic Regulation Order lasting 18 months.
Council Economy Portfolio Holder Cllr Jane Evison said she encouraged as many people to respond to the consultation as possible as its findings would determine whether the scheme continues.
The trial was launched in part to help visitors to Saturday Market socially distance following the coronavirus pandemic.
It was backed by Department for Transport Active Travel funding, cash made available to councils to trial measures to cut car journeys and encourage more walking and cycling.
The council has also used Active
Travel funding to widen some pavements and launch trials of its School Streets schemes at the Airmyn Park and Hook CE primaries.
Schemes in Beverley included creating wider pedestrian links between Toll Gavel and Dyer Lane and others.
The council stated “strong” support from residents and businesses in 2020 came ahead of the Saturday Market scheme launch.
It also stated it was designed to help high street retailers by offering more to visitors.
Cllr Evison said the consultation aimed to gauge how effective the scheme had been and how it could work in the future.
The portfolio holder said: “Trials such as the pedestrian and cycle scheme within Saturday Market in Beverley rely heavily on feedback from businesses, residents and visitors to the town.
“This is a chance for everyone to have their say and bring observations directly to our teams for consideration.
“The survey will be open for the public to access until Friday, November 5, so I would encourage business owners, residents and visitors to get involved in this consultation opportunity.”
■ The council’s consultation can be found at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ Saturdaymarkettrial2021