Following on from comments and an email from parishioners re pedestrians, some with dogs, walking on roadways around the village the PC contacted Highways re road signage and received the following response:
Thank you for your e-mail.
Whilst I note and appreciate the request for warning signs to be placed on the approaches to the village, I regret that this is not something that we would take forward.
Just to confirm that the warning sign in question is usually used with the associated plate advising of the lack of footway for a given distance at locations where an existing footway has a break in it and then starts again further along the road. You will appreciate that throughout the County there are countless similar locations to those mentioned in your e-mail on the approaches to villages which do not meet the above description and it would not be reasonable to sign them all not least because of the possibility of drivers potentially becoming oblivious to the message and therefore not taking notice at the locations where they are more clearly needed.
With regard to the provision of new sections of footway, I regret that funding for this type of work is not presently available.
Notwithstanding the above, if there is general concern about the speed of traffic at a given location then you may wish to consider making a report to the ‘Traffic Bureau’ at North Yorkshire Police using the form to be found on our website by following this link:
Once a completed form is received, relevant evidence relating to speed of vehicles and casualty history will be gathered and the local ‘95 Alive Partnership’ which includes representatives from the Police, the Fire And Rescue Service and the Council will then assess the findings and identify any actions that the group consider to be appropriate and effective. This may include consideration of educational initiatives, temporary matrix sign deployment, or enforcement measures. Speed limits on these roads is generally 60mph.
Another option that the residents may wish to consider is setting up a ‘Community Speed Watch’ scheme with training and equipment provided by the Police. We already have this.
I’m sorry that I cannot be more positive but trust that you will appreciate my position.
Ian Beighton
Highways – Area 1
North Yorkshire Council
Melsonby Community 