Survey shows majority of Skipton visitors arrive by car

The Yorkshire Forward-funded reg-ional visitor survey revealed that almost 85 per cent of visitors turned up in the town in private transport with only nine per cent using trains or buses.

A spokesman for the survey said: “It’s worrying that most people come to the town by private transport.”

Councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton, leader of Craven Council, said there needed to be a cultural change in society in relation to transport before people would swap their cars for the train or bus.

Skipton had a very attractive rail station relatively close to the town centre and there was a new bus station, he said.

“Yet we need more parking in the town – 200 more spaces we are told,” said Coun Knowles-Fitton.

“Most people pay a lot of money for their cars and in road tax and feel entitled to use them. I think it’s a generational issue and essentially there needs to be a change in culture.”

On the positive side, the survey showed that a third of visitors stayed overnight.

It also revealed that a majority of people – 75 per cent – arrived to see the heritage sites and famous cobbled High Street, recently voted the UK’s best high street, with 60 per cent arriving for shopping.

It found nearly all those who came to the market town – 92 per cent – strolled around to enjoy the atmosphere.

The survey also highlighted that 94 per cent would have no hesitation in recommending the town.

More than a quarter of visitors had been to Skipton twice in the past two years and seven out of ten people were very likely to visit again in the next two years.

The 900-year-old castle, one of the most complete and best preserved in the country, was a strong historic attraction. Visitor accommodation was ranked as very good for customer service, quality of accommodation and value for money.

The survey of the whole county is expected to take three years. This year between July and April, a total of 2,031 people were questioned.