Bypass Campaign Group Interview: Anthony Morrison

What motivated you to join the Rillington Bypass Campaign Group?

We need a bypass.

What are your feelings about the history of the lobbying for the bypass – it has come so close to fruition so many times.

We have been short-changed and we need to keep it in the public eye.

What would you say to anyone who is sceptical or unsure about Rillington village being bypassed?

A bypass would bring a better quality of life to the residents and turn Rillington into a real village.

What are your personal experiences of the A64?

A nightmare of a journey to get anywhere.

The proposed bypass may take some time. What measures would you like to be implemented to make the A64 safer before work on the potential bypass begins?

Reduce speed, a matrix sign system and speed cameras.

The bypass will have an impact on the natural environment, something many people may be upset by. What are your feelings about this issue?

Human life comes before wild life.

What positive qualities will a bypass bring to the village?

Health and safety,less traffic fumes,less noise-will make Rillington a happier place to live and less of of a misery. PEACE AND QUIET.

Bypass Campaign Group Interview: Alan Robinson

What motivated you to join the Rillington Bypass Campaign Group?

Initially it was as a direct result of the horrific accident outside the house last August. However, we bought the house thinking there was to be a bypass, so I have always been in favour.


What are your feelings about the history of the lobbying for the bypass – it has come so close to fruition so many times.

Frustration that we have been let down so many times. The support of the local MPs is of paramount importance. We definitely need, as well, the support of Scarborough and York, our local councils, the county council and the Highways Agency.

What would you say to anyone who is sceptical or unsure about Rillington village being bypassed?

We must remain positive and put forward our case to the above-our representatives. It is only by being vocal and enlisting support that we will succeed.

What are your personal experiences of the A64?

Congestion, frustration, pollution-negative as far as the village is concerned.

The proposed bypass may take some time. What measures would you like to be implemented to make the A64 safer before work on the potential bypass begins?

I would like the installation of a matrix and speed cameras-even the speed restricted to 20 mph.

The bypass will have an impact on the natural environment, something many people may be upset by. What are your feelings about this issue?

The natural environment of the village will be re-instated. At the present time the road impacts adversely.

What positive qualities will a bypass bring to the village?

We will regain our lost village. Normal village life will resume. We will have peace and tranquillity. The village will be more united.

Bypass Campaign Group Interview: Sally Roger

In the first of a series of interviews with the Bypass Campaign Group members, Chairperson Sally Roger answers our questions...

What motivated you to join the Rillington Bypass Campaign Group?

It followed the accident in August 2009, when I and my two children were fortunately walking on the opposite side of the road, if we had not then we would have been caught up in it and I shudder to think what may have happened.

What are your feelings about the history of the lobbying for the bypass – it has come so close to fruition so many times.

Frustration and disappointment are the two that spring to mind. If the go ahead for the by-pass had not be stopped in 2006 it would have been finished by now and subsequent accidents may have been prevented.

What would you say to anyone who is sceptical or unsure about Rillington village being bypassed?

I would ask them how they would feel if they or someone they knew where involved in accident either as a pedestrian or in a vehicle, I would recommend they spend some time at the side of the A64, in the village, and witness at first hand just how fast some of the vehicles travel and the sheer size of some of the heavy goods vehicles.

What are your personal experiences of the A64?

Since moving onto Scarborough Road I have noticed how much the traffic has increased and the difficulty of joining the road from our driveway, even though it is supposedly a 30mph zone the speed of some of the vehicles way exceeds that. I am not at ease walking on the footpath along the side of the A64 due to the close proximity and speed of the traffic passing through, which I am sure if we had a by-pass a huge percentage would choose to use.

The proposed bypass may take some time. What measures would you like to be implemented to make the A64 safer before work on the potential bypass begins?

A 20mph speed limit through the entire village would make a big difference, as long as it was patrolled and speeders stopped and fined etc. Flashing Matrix signs have shown to cut down speeding through other villages so again these would be a good idea. Also fixed speed cameras would deter possible speeders.

The bypass will have an impact on the natural environment, something many people may be upset by. What are your feelings about this issue?

I agree that when things are built unnecessarily and without due care and thought it is usually the environment that suffers, but the actual improvement to quality of life and safety in the village out weighs the impact it will have on the surrounding environment in this instance.

What positive qualities will a bypass bring to the village?

It will be a safer and more pleasant place to live not just for the residents who live along the A64 but for all the residents of the village as noise and air pollution will be cut. The village will no longer be cut in half and a more community feel will prevail. It will be considerably safer for children crossing the road to go to school as at present there is no school crossing patrol officer and as far as I am aware none are planned for the foreseeable future.

To read the other interviews with Bypass Campaigners, please click on Interview in the Labels section below.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawar stuck on A64

It was recently reported that Dame Kiri Te Kanawar needed a police escort to arrive at her concert at Scarborough's new Open Air Theatre on time. She told her audience of 6,500 fans that it had taken her two hours to reach Scarborough from York and that she had needed police help.

"Is it always this bad?" she asked.

Upgrade of A64 'vital to region'

An article in today's The Press by Richard Catton discusses the possible upgrade of the A64 in light of Thirsk and Malton's MP Anne McIntosh's call upon the Government "to commit to a major upgrade of the 35-mile stretch". The article also includes a commentary by North Yorkshire county councillor Ron Haigh who the article quotes as saying

"I represent villages from Rillington to Staxton and the only way we are cut the accident rate on the A64 is to go dual carriageway. If it was dual carriageway, I believe the number of road deaths in North Yorkshire would plummet. But it's not just the accident rate and deaths. Until we have a decent road in and out of Scarborough we are not going to get the investment. "

MP calls for fast road to coast...

Today's Yorkshire Post ran a long article by Paul Jeeves regarding the Rillington Bypass:

"Government Ministers will be urged tomorrow to push ahead with a massive programme of road improvements costing as much as £500m on North Yorkshire's main route to the coast. The campaign to upgrade the A64 between York and Scarborough has repeatedly fallen victim to funding shortages as previous governments gave other schemes greater priority. But concerns are now growing that seaside town regeneration is being jeopardised by inadequate links to the coast."

The article continues by discussing the concerns of Anne McIntosh, the MP for Thirsk and Malton:

"[Miss McIntosh] has tabled a question calling on a Government commitment to prioritise the A64 scheme to boost road safety and help the regeneration of Yorkshire's coastal communities. Miss McIntosh conceded that Government's attempts to cut public spending would significantly hit such schemes. But she added: 'The A64 should be a priority road and any improvements would be of benefit to not just North Yorkshire, but the region as a whole. It ticks all the right boxes - helping prevent congestion, a green agenda and improving road safety as well as the economic benefits of providing a better road network to the Yorkshire coast."

As part of the article, Rillington Bypass Group member Alan Robinson was also interviewed:

"To have a bypass in Rillington would change so many people's lives - a lot of the villagers are scared to walk along the side of the A64. We are pushing for the bypass for Rillington, but the whole stretch of the A64 between York and Scarborough needs to be looked at. It is such an important route, and one that needs major investment."

The article concludes with "Scarborough councillors will get an update on Monday about the A64 transport corridor study before a draft report is published in September."

Radio Broadcast

Sally Roger, the Chairperson for the Rillington Bypass Group. was interviewed today as part of a feature on a forthcoming broadcast of the BBC Radio York programme the Adam Tomlison Show. The interview is scheduled for broadcast on Thursday 22nd July.

Crash leads to new bypass call

Today's Malton & Pickering Mercury have reported on the recent crash on the Scampston slip road, just outside of Rillington. The article describes the accident and the following events before discussing the potential need for a bypass:

"The crash has once again led campaigners demanding a bypass to ease the congestion through the village and follows on from two serious accidents last year which were the catalyst for reigniting the campaign first launched decades ago."

The article includes an interview with bypass campaigner Beatrice Robinson, who states that

"It is quite appalling. We have basically been forgotten by many and condemned by few. It seems we do not count. If we have the bypass in 2006, it would have been finished in 2009 and this would never have happened."

The article also states the following figures:

"During last survey carried out by the Highways Agency, figures revealed that an average of 14,800 vehicles pass through the village, of which 1,300 are commercial vehicles."

Meeting

The Rillington Bypass Group will meet 14/06/10 at Rillington Village Hall.

Radio Broadcast

Sally Roger, the Chairperson for the Rillington Bypass Group, has spoken on radio today concerning the Rillington Bypass. Broadcast by BBC Radio York as part of the Adam Tomlinson Show, Sally appeared in a discussion alongside Anne McIntosh MP, Professor John Whitelegg from the University of York, and Lynn Webster.

We Need a Bypass Blog Polls End...

The We Need a Bypass Blog Polls have ended today. Since their appearance on the blog, these two polls have generated much interest and have received an overwhelming response...

The Results

The first poll question asked Do you believe that a bypass for Rillington will improve the quality of life for the village? A total of 70 people responded to this question with 68 answering yes, a total of 97% in favour.

The second poll question asked Do you think a bypass will improve your journeys on the A64? A total of 71 people responded to this question with 69 answering yes, a total of 97% in favour.

Look out for more polls soon...

Radio Broadcast

Sally Roger, the Chairperson for the Rillington Bypass Group, will be appearing on the BBC Radio York programme the Adam Tomlinson Show as part of a group discussion concerning the Rillington Bypass. The discussion is scheduled for broadcast on the 30th May.

Meeting

The Rillington Bypass Group will meet 12/05/10 at Rillington Village Hall.

Bypass Support

Over recent weeks Bypass group members have been contacting local and regional MPs and Parliamentary Candidates asking for their support in the pursuit of a bypass for Rillington. There responses have been overwhelmingly positive:

John Greenway, MP, said,

"I strongly support the campaign for the Rillington bypass to be constructed as quickly as possible. The Government approved this scheme years ago but subsequently delegated responsibility to Regional Assemblies. Sadly the Regional Assembly for Yorkshire does not feel that this bypass has sufficient priority. I would like to see North Yorkshire County Council, supported by Ryedale District Council and Scarborough Borough Council apply the maximum pressure to the Regional Assembly and Regional Development Agency to make this scheme the priority that local residents and visitors to the North Yorkshire coast deserve."

Anne McIntosh, MP, said,

"I am delighted to have lent support in the past and to renew that support. The levels of traffic pose a threat to road safety and there have been a tragic series of fatal accidents. The traffic levels also affect air quality levels, as well as disturbing the natural environment of Rillington itself."

Howard Keal, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Thirsk and Malton, said,

"I fully support the call for a bypass to relieve Rillington of the traffic which has plagued the village for decades. Calls for the by-pass were made more than 35 years ago and more than a decade afterwards Liberal Democrat Elizabeth Shields forced an early hours adjournment debate on the Conservatives when she was MP. The Tory Government responded to the compelling case put forward by doing nothing at all about a bypass for the next decade they were in power, followed by 13 years of failure to deliver it under Labour. I know there are concerns about trade in the village in the event of a bypass being built but strong direction signs coupled with the easier passage of remaining traffic would help reduce the impact on businesses. The improvements a bypass would offer in terms of safety and quality of life for villagers are so significant that the case has never been stronger. The accident record on the road and heavy traffic levels demand an answer - the answer is a bypass."

Jonathan Roberts , Labour parliamentary candidate for Thirsk and Malton, said,

"15,000 cars a day pass through Rillington every day as commuters, shoppers and holiday-makers navigate the county, and it is clear to see that a bypass would make a tremendous difference to the quality of life of local residents. The safety and economic arguments in favour of the bypass have already been made, and as far as I am concerned the debate has been won. Now is the time for action."

A64 safety measures are on the agenda

Today the Malton Gazette and Herald reported that "improvements are on the drawing board for the A64 including studies to improve safety at accidents blackspots". While the report covers the length of the A64, there is special mention of Rillington, through County Councillor Ron Haigh "whose division covers a stretch of the A64 from Rillington to Staxton, said he was anxious to see long-term improvements through the villages. He said

"The Rillington bypass has been on the drawing board for many years and its need is greater than ever."

Click on the image to read the full report.

"Why Rillington needs a bypass"

Following on from their letter published in the February 24 2010 edition of Malton Gazette and Herald, Rillington residents Colin and Rosalind Wicks have written in response to a previously published letter, "Bypass Backlash". In their letter, Colin and Rosalind reiterate the many reasons why Rillington is in desperate need of a bypass.

Please click on the image to read the full letter.

"Spot-checks on 112 vehicles"

Click on the image to read the full report.

Meeting

The Rillington Bypass Group will meet 24/03/10 at Rillington Village Hall.

"Motorists caught in police action"

The Bypass Campaign made an interesting appearance in the Malton Mercury today when they reported on the recent monitoring of the A64 by local police:

"Sixty-five fixed penalties have been dished out to motorists in an area where residents are campaigning for a bypass. A meeting of the Malton Rural East CAP (Community and Police) Group heard they were given out by police in the Rillington area to motorists for offences such as not wearing seat belts and using mobile telephones while on the move."

To read the full article, click on the image.

Bypass Injustice

Rillington residents Colin and Rosalind Wicks have sent a letter to the Malton Gazette and Herald expressing their views about the long-running battle for a bypass for Rillington. In their letter, which has been published in the February 24 2010 edition of the paper, Colin and Rosalind state that

"Sadly, the [long-running] 'history' [of the bypass] does not detail the noise, dirt, air pollution, the danger and inconvenience that this busy trunk road, right through the centre of a village, creates for the local population"

They also state that

"It must be obvious that this bypass is long overdue. We would like to know how a bypass scheme that has obtained top priority from the Government on three separate occasions over the past 20 years is not even considered by a regional consortium; and how is it possible for the North Yorkshire County Council to provide bypasses around smaller communities, with roads that have far less traffic."

Click on the image to read the full letter.

"MPs join long-running battle for village bypass"

The recent activities of the Rillington Bypass Group have been recorded in the February 17 th 2010 edition of the Gazette & Herald. The article, by David Jeffels states:

"Three MPs have agreed to take up the case for a bypass for Rillington, which has been on the drawing board for years... MPs John Greenway (Ryedale), Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby), and Anne McIntosh (Vale of York) have met protesters and are taking up their pleas with Department of Transport ministers.

Bea Robinson, one of the leaders of the campaign, said "We had a very successful meeting with the MPs and they are fully behind our cause and our aim to improve the quality of life for Rillington people."

Meeting

The Rillington Bypass Group will meet 17/02/10 at Rillington Village Hall.

Meeting

The Rillington Bypass Group will meet 13/01/10 at Rillington Village Hall.

Meeting

The Rillington Bypass Group are to met with MPs John Greenway (Ryedale), Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby) and Anne McIntosh (Vale of York) to discuss the A64 and its possible bypass.