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.