Traffic chaos needs better attention

I write to express my concern at the total lack of action from North Yorkshire County Council Highways Department on several traffic related issues in Helmsley.

Promises of a review of Helmsley parking and traffic management issues finished for April 2014, three years ago, have failed to materialise and consequently issues relating to road safety, traffic flows, visitor parking and the use of council land with a parking order for individual business gain have been left to fester.

Are matters so dire at County Hall that no one and no time can be found to examine these issues?

As a town councillor I am very tired of trying to respond to Helmsley residents who are fed up with the current situation because I cannot answer their questions.

Accidents waiting to happen, frustrated residents who cannot park for 10 minutes in a designated 10-minute wait car park, emergency vehicles struggling to find a way through inappropriately parked vehicles, junctions not being properly controlled, meetings promised and then cancelled.

Does someone have to die as happened at Rievaulx Bank’s junction with the B1257, the Welburn turn of the A170 and the Wombleton/A170 junction, before County wakes up and does something?

If fine weather prevails this summer Helmsley is in danger of being gridlocked and all for the sake of some new yellow lines, some inexpensive signage and the will to resolve what is becoming a major issue for this popular North Yorkshire market town.

C Parkin, Helmsley Town Councillor, Bondgate, Helmsley