THE route of a park and ride service is putting pedestrians in danger in a North Yorkshire town, a councillor has said.
Whitby’s park and ride service aims to offer a “stress-free way to reach the town centre” but not for pedestrians walking on the pavements of the coastal resort, according to a local town councillor.
Cllr Trisha Kelly has said the double-decker buses that operate the service are “seriously endangering” pedestrians and she is urging North Yorkshire Council to amend the buses’ route.
She said that the junction of Flowergate and Brunswick Street in Whitby was of particular concern and that the bus is currently “unable to manoeuvre” at the intersection without mounting the kerb.
This “seriously endangers those using the pavements”, she noted.
North Yorkshire Council’s website states that the park and ride offers “an affordable alternative to town centre parking and caters for a range of customers from commuters to day trippers. The site includes a modern, clean, energy-efficient building with a waiting area and toilets.”
It adds: “The fare paid to travel on the bus also covers parking and use of facilities. Tickets are purchased on the bus from the driver. Dogs can travel on the bus at the discretion of the bus driver, and there is no extra charge for dogs.”
Located at the A171 / B1460 junction North of Whitby, the park and ride site has 450 free spaces.
The corner of Flowergate and Brunswick Street, Whitby, where concerns have been raised about park and ride buses impacting pedestrian safety.
(Image: Google Maps)
Cllr Kelly, who represents the Stakesby Ward on Whitby Town Council, has put forward a motion to a full meeting of the authority.
It states: “Whitby Town Council requests that North Yorkshire Council review the route used by the Park and Ride double-decker bus.
“The bus is presently unable to manoeuvre at the junction of Flowergate and Brunswick Street without mounting the kerb, which seriously endangers those using the pavements.”
Members of the public have been invited to attend the full meeting of Whitby Town Council tonight (Tuesday, July 28) starting at 6pm.