SETTLE'S controversial speed bumps have been consigned to the scrapheap to the delight of residents.

A packed Victoria Hall at Settle applauded highway chiefs at a meeting of North Yorkshire Craven Area Committee recently when the news that they were to be removed was announced.

Graham Cressey, North Yorkshire County Council's traffic management and development control manager, remarked: "I don't often get a round of applause I must say!"

The battle to get the bumps removed has been led by Settle resident Sandra Price, who lives in Station Road and has collected over 900 signatures on a petition asking for their removal.

The speed bumps, which were laid in Duke Street at the beginning of the year, sparked a stream of complaints from the locals.

Objectors have said they serve no purpose, cause lorries to "crash" over them creating extra noise and are dangerous.

Mr Cressey admitted at the meeting: "Since we put the scheme in, there have been a number of complaints."

He added he had been especially concerned to hear there had been several people who had sustained injuries by tripping over the cushions.

Mr Cressey added the highways department planned to take the speed bumps away and put some buff surfacing, at surface level, to prevent any noise problems.

Coun Beth Graham, calling for the removal of the bumps, said: "I think those people who have been campaigning for this, have done a splendid job."

Coun David Ireton said: "It's very pleasing to see that everyone welcomes the recommendation in the report. I would like to highlight that when officers are looking at traffic calming schemes in the future, they remember the disaster that has happened in Settle. Let's not repeat it."

Sandra Price, also spoke at the meeting and asked if a noise suppressant surface could be considered. She also asked that the authority made sure no dips were left in the road, which could potentially cause a noise problem and make it necessary for residents to call in the highways department again.

Mrs Price added she was glad to hear that the work would be carried out speedily as Settle residents and business people had suffered for four consecutive years from roads being dug up in the winter months, which had seriously disrupted business.

She also said 21 people had reported they had tripped over the bumps to her.

One elderly man in the audience, who had tripped over one of the speed bumps and fallen flat on his face, stood up and said: "I've been a motorist for 66 years and a pedestrian for over 90 years and I'm glad they're being removed."

Mr Cressey, added he was not intending to install rumble strips on the road as any traffic calming that was raised above surface level would create noise.

Instead the buff strips would have 20mph markings on them and this speed would be enforced by the police, who were in agreement with the scheme.

The day after the meeting, it was reported to the Herald that the speed bumps had been removed, prompting Mrs Price to remark, "this has given me my life back".

She added at one point she had even considered moving away from the area and selling her shop because the noise caused by the bumps was so unbearable and that she had survived off about four hours sleep for the past year and a half.