Agenda item

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice and provided the text to Democratic Services (democraticservices.east@northyorks.gov.uk ) no later than midday on Tuesday, 25 March 2025. Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item.  Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:

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Shipton by Beningbrough Parish Council presentation to Thirsk and Malton Area meeting 25 March 2025

 

Introduction

 

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak to the Thirsk and Malton Area meeting today. I would like to highlight a number of road safety issues of concern to the residents of Shipton by Beningbrough and to ask for your consideration of two proposals to try and ameliorate our concerns.

 

The two proposals are:

 

·       A request for buffer speed restrictions north and south of the village, and

·       A request for a pedestrian controlled crossing in the village

 

Background

 

By way of background, Shipton by Beningbrough is a relatively small village with almost 800 on the electoral role. The village is positioned at the far southern tip of what was formerly Hambleton District, and borders York City.  The village has a primary school, a care home specialising in dementia care, a young persons residential care home, a well used community centre, a popular village pub, together with a range of different businesses.

 

The village is bisected by the busy A19 trunk road.

 

Shipton is one of only two villages on the A19 in North Yorkshire that has not been by-passed and due to economic circumstances it is unlikely that it ever will be.

 

As we are all well aware the A19 is an important arterial road which serves the economy of the east and northeast of England.

 

The A19 through Shipton is used as an alternative route to the A1, particularly in the event of incidents and congestion affecting the A1.

 

Traffic volumes have increased over recent years and can be particularly high when traffic is diverted from the A1.

 

The Parish Council has funded the installation of Vehicle Activated Speed Signs (VAS) in the village within the 30mph speed area; both on the A19 and on the two side roads, Station Lane and East Lane. Most recent data shows that there is a total of more than 4,000 vehicles per day passing through Shipton on the A19.

 

The data from the VAS cameras is available on the Shipton Parish Council section of the Shipton by Beningbrough Community website.

 

Request for buffer speed restrictions

 

There are two locations one north of the village and one to the south of the village where there are frequent accidents and incidents, both these locations are subject to the 60mph national speed limit.

 

To the north there is a crossroads where Chapmans Lane and Amblers Lane join the A19. There is a long straight stretch of road approaching the crossroads from the north, with the road contour partially restricting visibility. Some 200 yards south from this crossroads is Brookes garage and shop, together with a number of residential/business buildings. There are regular accidents and incidents in this area often associated with traffic turning across the carriageway or where traffic is slowing to access the garage site and overtaking where there is a blind summit. Cllr Keane has been to view this junction. There was a recent accident involving a police vehicle overtaking after exiting the village and travelling north at over 90 mph colliding with a vehicle turning right into the garage.

 

To the south of the village there is a turn off with a slip road from the north bound carriageway of the A19 onto Overton Road.  The slip road layout can be confusing for drivers unfamiliar with the area, particularly as the road markings are currently indistinct (although we understand that they are due to be repainted). This is a busy junction for traffic by passing Shipton village travelling north to the Shipton industrial area and villages to the north and west of Shipton. There has been a recent fatality at this junction and there are frequent accidents and incidents. This junction is currently experiencing a heavy traffic load as a result of construction work for the National Grid electricity infrastructure project (Yorkshire Green).

 

Proposal for buffer speed restrictions

 

Our proposal is that there should be 40 mph buffer zones put in place both to the north and south of the village. To the north this should be from the end of the 30mph zone in the village to the Chapmans Lane/Amblers Lane cross roads and to the south this should be from the end of the 30mph zone in the village to the Overton Road junction.

 

The only other village that is not by-passed in North Yorkshire on the A19 (Thormanby) has a 60/40/30 buffer, we believe Shipton should as well.

 

Request for pedestrian controlled crossing

 

As already noted the busy A19 bisects Shipton. In order to access the village amenities, pedestrians have to cross the road. There are four crossing refuges throughout the length of the village however there are no carriageway markings indicating the crossing points to motorists. It is therefore hazardous for children and elderly to cross the road particularly at peak times. Previously we had five crossings, but one refuge was recently removed in order to provide vehicular access into the housing development on the site of a former garage – so ironically Shipton has more housing and people potentially crossing the A19, but fewer safe places to do it.

 

Proposal for a pedestrian controlled crossing

 

Our proposal is for a pedestrian controlled crossing to replace the current refuge just north of the Station Lane junction with the A19. This particularly will enable school children attending Forest of Galtres school on Station Lane a safe crossing point, as well as other pedestrians.

 

Previous requests for installation of traffic safety measures

 

Over the years we have repeatedly made representations to North Yorkshire County Council and the police regarding road safety but have been unsuccessful in getting our proposals for road safety improvements taken up at these locations.

 

The main reason given for refusal being that the incidents and accidents at these locations do not trigger the Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) criteria and that the proposed remedies are either impracticable or unaffordable.

 

We would like to hope that our representations have a more favourable hearing on this occasion compared with the negative pushback that we have experienced up until now. We like to engage in discussion as to what measures are feasible taking account of the current situation.

 

We would also ask that full consideration is given to finding funding solutions as part of the community benefits from the Yorkshire Green infrastructure project, over and above the £20,000 limit for individual projects.

 

Thank you for your attention.

 

Response from Jayne Charlton, Area Manager, Area 2, Thirsk

 

During the summer of 2024 officers received communications from Shipton By Beningbrough Parish Council and Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP on behalf of the PC to request both a 40mph buffer zone on the approaches to the village and the installation of a controlled pedestrian crossing facility in the village.

 

Officers are sympathetic to the concerns of the Parish Council and have investigated their requests and have responded with the following detail.

 

40mph Buffer zones.

 

When assessing a proposed reduction in a speed limit we follow DfT guidelines, ‘Settling of local Speed limits 2014’ in order to maintain a fair and consistent response. The DfT suggests that in order for a 40 mph limit to work there should be a degree of roadside development meaning that a driver would see the need for the reduction in speed limit and comply.

 

There is little or no development either north or south of Shipton by Beningbrough on the A19 and consequently no change in environment. Similar reductions in speed limit with no change in environment in the county have not resulted in the desired reduction in vehicle speeds, and any speed limit that relies on Police enforcement to work will fail as this is not a sustainable long term option.

 

The existing 40mph buffer zones referred to by Mr Chapman we introduced many years ago before the current guidelines were introduced by DFT.

 

Furthermore, North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they would not support a 40 mph “buffer” at Shipton by Beningbrough. Given this response from North Yorkshire Police, the Local Highway Authority does not propose to pursue the introduction of 40 mph restrictions.

 

However North Yorkshire Council is preparing to introduce a new speed management strategy to guide a proactive review of all speed limits across the network. This is expected to be approved in the next few months.

 

In 2016 work was carried out to improve signage, junction markings and visibility at the junction of the Overton Road with the A19 to the south of Shipton by Beningbrough.

 

In 2019 a scheme to improve signage and road markings around the junction of Station Lane was implemented. The effectiveness of these improvements will continue to be monitored. The Chapmans Lane /Amblers Lane junctions with the A19 have been investigated as a highrisk site and a scheme to improve signage in the area has been introduced.

 

Request for a controlled pedestrian crossing;

 

Investigations into this request showed that there is no feasible location for a controlled pedestrian crossing on the A19 within the village due to the position of existing bus stops and driveways. The positioning of a controlled crossing facility would impede the operation of the bus stops and accesses, including access to the Dawney Arms. Existing on street parking would ultimately be displaced within the village to the inconvenience of adjacent householders.  

 

There are currently two pedestrian refuges provided within the village to aid pedestrians wishing to cross.

 

Question from Simon Thackray, 20 York Road, Malton YO17 6AX

 

Agenda Item 8.

 

The papers for the 28 March Area Committee meeting flag-up, once again, the positive outcome of the 7.5 tonne HGV weight restriction over Norton level crossing and the good news that the HGV restriction has been successful in helping achieve compliance with the UK legal limit for the concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide in the (recently revoked) Malton Air Quality Management Area.

 

Writing in an email to Councillor Steve Mason (copied to 24 others) on 26 November 2024, North Yorkshire Council’s Divisional Officer – Scientific, Dr Kevin Carr confirmed:

 

“There is no intention to remove the current HGV weight restriction given its success in helping to achieve compliance with the UK nitrogen dioxide objective.

 

HGVs represent only 5% of the traffic but are responsible for 40% of the Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in the breathable air. It does not, therefore, take a mathematical genius to work out that removal of the HGV weight restriction over Norton level crossing would lead to an increase in the concentration of lethal NO2. No one could be so reckless.

 

Paragraph 199 of the NPPF 2024 states:

 

199. Planning policies and decisions should sustain and contribute towards compliance with relevant limit values or national objectives for pollutants, taking into account the presence of Air Quality Management Areas and Clean Air Zones, and the cumulative impacts from individual sites in local areas.

 

The important word (and obligation) for North Yorkshire Council is to ‘sustain’ the levels that have been achieved, and to strive to make further improvements. See below.

 

In September 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published its revised Global Air Quality Guidelines, which slashed the recommended concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide by 75%. NO2 is a carcinogen, causes heart disease, stroke, Asthma and permanently stunts the development of the lungs of young children. The UK legal limits are out of step with the WHO and the latest medical evidence.

 

Applying the new standards set by the revised WHO guidelines to Malton, the breathable air in our town is now two and half times (2.5X) the recommended limit for the concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide. Malton is not a safe place to walk around if you are a child or vulnerable adult, and we must all do more to reduce the air pollution in Malton and Norton further.

 

The only means at our disposal is to remove the source of the problem i.e. remove more HGVs and cars from the towns by providing the necessary new highway infrastructure to enable this to happen. The importance of the 7.5 tonne HGV weight restriction over Norton level crossing in reducing the concentration of NO2 must not be underplayed.

 

However, North Yorkshire Council failed to monitor and enforce the weight restriction on Norton level crossing (and Highfield Road) during the whole of 2024, which means the residual air pollution in Castlegate and the centre of Malton, was far greater (and more harmful) than it should have been. By deliberately deciding not to monitor and enforce the restriction, NYC is, by default, deliberately and knowingly, deciding to damage the health of the public. HGV drivers know they won’t be prosecuted so ignore the restriction. This is not proper air quality management and is wholly unacceptable.

 

As Donald Rumsfeld once said, “Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know…”

 

North Yorkshire Council members and officers know they know, thanks to people like me and the statements of Great Ormand Street Hospital, Sadiq Khan, The Royal College of Physicians, JCB and others) that NO2 is a killer gas, and lethal in much smaller concentrations than previously understood. You cannot unknow this fact.

 

It is bewildering to me that, whilst York and North Yorkshire share a mayor-in-common, the air quality improvement aspirations of the two co-joined areas are so out of kilter.

 

Whilst encouraging to read the words of Dr Carr of North Yorkshire Council confirming the important role played by the 7.5 tonne HGV restriction in achieving compliance with the UK legal limit for the concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide in the breathable air in Malton, it is deeply disappointing and concerning that the new North Yorkshire Air Quality Action Plan fails to make even passing reference to the 2021 WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines - anywhere. York is way ahead of the curve and to be applauded:

 

York City Council Air Quality Action Plan AQAP4:

 

“AQAP4 outlines the action we will take to further improve air quality in York over the next 5 years to go beyond statutory health-based National Air Quality Objectives in all areas of the city and to work towards meeting stricter World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines.”

 

North Yorkshire Council Air Quality Action Plan (2024 – 2029)

 

“3 North Yorkshire Council’s Air Quality Priorities

 

This section presents the main priorities and the approach to be taken by North Yorkshire Council to continue to improve air quality within its administrative area. The main factor affecting air quality in the council’s area is related to transport emissions.”

 

The new North Yorkshire Air Quality Action Plan fails to mention the 2021 WHO guidelines which reflect the biggest shift in understanding of the harm caused by air pollution in decades. This suggests to me that the aspirations of North Yorkshire Council (in terms of air quality improvements), and the aspirations of the City of York Council are at odds. In terms of air quality improvement aspirations, North Yorkshire residents are being treated as second-class citizens, consigned to breathing bad air.

 

Question:

 

Will North Yorkshire Council please revise its Air Quality Action Plan to reflect and align with the more ambitious air quality improvement aspirations of the York City Council Air Quality Action Plan AQAP4, which is striving to achieve compliance with the more stringent WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines?

 

Supplementary question:

 

Given the confirmed success of the 7.5 tonne HGV weight restriction over Norton level crossing in reducing the level of NO2 in the breathable air in Malton, please will the council now remove the word temporary from the order and make the restriction permanent and thereafter, commence and maintain proper enforcement?

 

Note: I suggest the council look closely at the ANPR system it operates at Cawood

Bridge and consider installing a similar system at the level crossing in Norton

 

Response from Dr Kevin Carr, Scientific Officer

 

Highways have been taking independent advice on the issue of air quality in Malton/Norton and the HGV restriction, from the consultants WSP. At this moment in time the restriction remains in place to allow consideration of the next steps in terms of the restriction. The council will continue to enforce the restriction proportionately as resources allow, as it does with all weight restrictions. A further report will be brought to the next meeting of the ACC on this issue. There are no plans to amend the Council’s air quality action plan at this stage.