Decision details

The introduction of No Waiting at Any Time restrictions as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report dated 10 April 2025 is approved.

There have been ongoing concerns and complaints about indiscriminate parking at this location for some considerable time. The proposal, as presented in Appendix 3, has been drawn up with input from the elected Member, Thirsk Town Council and local residents.

Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposal will have an impact on the two objectors,
who are individuals with protected characteristics, it will result in a significant improvement for the wider community, if implemented. These improvements mainly relate to highway safety, namely:

a. improving/ensuring pedestrian access along the footways (note that on a previous site visit by an officer from the local highways team a person using a wheelchair was observed using the carriageway, as the footway was obstructed by a parked vehicle);

b. ensuring the availability of forward visibility for motorists negotiating the bends; and

c. ensuring access for and the free flow of all traffic using the carriageway, including for emergency service vehicles.

Leave things as they are: This is not a viable option for the residents and others already affected by the indiscriminate parking.

Construct some off-street parking: The provision of off-street parking would be a private matter for a resident(s) to provide, subject to land ownership. The Local Highway Authority only maintains the footways and carriageways in the area.

Create a disabled parking bay(s): This is possible; however, it would need to be located on the short section of straight road between the bends and the junction with the B1448 - Norby Front Street. This is approximately 30 metres from the objectors’ addresses, but the road slopes upwards from the junction, which may create difficulties for disabled users. Furthermore, it would be available for the use of all Blue Badge holders, and not just the objectors. The first section of unrestricted road available for all to park would be approximately 40 metres from the objectors’ addresses.

Create a residents’ only parking scheme: This is not a viable option for the residents already affected by the indiscriminate parking as it is largely caused by other residents.

Introduce yellow lines on one side of the road only: The objector suggests yellow lines only on the southern/eastern side of the road but regardless of whichever side of the road is restricted it would not fully overcome the issues of restricted pedestrian access and restricted visibility around the bends.