Community leaders have made renewed calls for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced through Embsay and Eastby.
Councillor David Noland is working with Embsay with Eastby Parish Council to push for the speed limit to be lowered from 30mph on local roads.
He said the parish council first asked for the change three years ago and never received an answer.
The Green Party councillor said other communities in the Craven area were also waiting for improvements to road safety, including
residents on The Bailey in Skipton where in 2023, a boy was injured on his way to school as he crossed the road.
He said:
“Most councillors are past parenting age and many have never walked their children to school – they have no idea what a perilous journey it can be. Parents need to know their children will be safe walking to school. What’s a higher priority than keeping our children safe?
This is basic infrastructure. If we’re building new houses, we must insist that they have a safe way to walk to the shops and get to school – or we’re putting our kids and communities at risk, and forcing people to drive on our already-busy roads.”
Cllr Noland has sought help from Skipton and Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith to convince the council to make changes.
In response, North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, said the authority took its road safety responsibilities seriously and listened carefully to the views of residents and local members.
He added:
“While we aim to respond positively, decisions must be based on a range of factors, including safety evidence, road characteristics and national guidance.
Over the past 18 months, we have taken forward 25 new 20mph areas across North Yorkshire, including our biggest project so far in west Harrogate.In Embsay and Eastby, work is progressing on proposals to introduce 20mph speed limits, with a report due to be considered at the executive meeting in July. While some consultation responses called for a wider area scheme, this is not supported due to the rural nature of the connecting roads and existing average speeds.
We are also assessing a request for a pedestrian crossing at The Bailey. A video survey has been completed, and a formal assessment is underway, building on recent improvements at the site, including two pedestrian refuge islands. This will determine whether any further measures are justified.”
Mr Battersby said the authority was working to fill vacancies within the highways team to ensure it could continue to respond effectively to the needs of communities.
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