Councillor says park and ride 'endangers people'

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 claims to offer a "stress-free way to reach the town centre" but this is not the case for pedestrians walking on the pavements of the coastal resort, according to a local town councillor Trisha Kelly.

Kelly 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.

North Yorkshire Council said it was "not aware of any complaints", but that it would work with the bus provider to review the concerns raised.

The park and ride, which is at the A171 and B1460 junction to the north of Whitby, and has 450 free spaces.

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."

The 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".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it highlights the site's "modern, clean, energy-efficient building" with a waiting area and toilets, and the fact the fare paid to travel on the bus also covers parking and use of facilities.

"The park and ride season started in April and we are not aware of any complaints regarding how buses are navigating the junction of Flowergate and Brunswick Street," said Catherine Price, head of transport services at North Yorkshire Council.

"However, we will work with Arriva to review the concerns raised by Whitby Town Council."

She added: "Public safety is at the forefront of our decision-making, and we are committed to working with our partners to ensure this vital service continues to operate safely."

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