TRAFFIC calming measures for Settle and Giggleswick have been given the green light.

The schemes were put forward by North Yorkshire County Council and were approved at a meeting of its area three highways committee on Friday.

The traffic calming will be carried out on the B6479 and the B6480 through Settle and Giggleswick. However, two major concerns arose from the consultation process.

Firstly, there were objections to a proposal to build out the footways at Undercliffe, Settle, in order to reduce the speed of traffic entering the Market Place and at the same time widen the footway for pedestrians. This would have created a similar give-way/narrowing arrangement as seen at the Royal Oak corner.

Objectors, including the occupiers of nearby properties, felt the arrangement would cause increased problems of noise and fumes, particularly from heavy goods vehicles which would be forced to slow down or stop to give-way and then accelerate away.

After considering the concerns, highways officers proposed that speed cushions be placed on Duke Street instead, combined with a 20mph speed limit for part of Duke Street and the Market Place.

The second main concern was over the volume of HGVs which passed through the town.

But, as reported in the Herald last week, this problem will be alleviated following news that the town's Penny Bridge would be strengthened. This means lorries will come directly off the bypass and down Station Road in Giggleswick, a shorter alternative to the present route through Duke Street, Market Place, Church Street, Kirkgate, Bond Lane and Station Road.

However, district councillor for Giggleswick, Richard Welch, was concerned that the lorries would now be travelling over the bridge and through Giggleswick. He said: "The people in Settle have thought we've got a problem here, let's move it some where else. I don't think the people of Giggleswick will be too happy with this measure."

But Coun Beth Graham said because Penny Bridge was too weak, the enormous amount of traffic had to travel though the centre of Settle passing residential areas, Settle Market Place, a number of churches, three establishments for handicapped people, children's playing fields and the site of the new primary school on Bond Lane.

The highways committee voted to approve the proposed speed cushions for Duke Street and the 20mph speed limit for part of Duke Street and the Market Place, but there will be another full consultation procedure before the measures are enforced. Highways officers were given delegated authority to approve any alterations to the proposals arising from the consultation process.

The remainder of the proposed traffic calming scheme was also approved.

The measures include:

"Gateways" at the entrances to Settle and Giggleswick comprising a "please drive carefully" nameplate and 30mph signs plus "30" carriageway markings on buff-coloured patches and bar marks. There will also be "SLOW" carriageway markings.

Central hatched markings to create a narrower carriageway effect at the bend near the Harts Head Inn, Giggleswick, at the Cammock Lane/Duke Street junction and at the bend near Anley Grange, plus new advance warning signs and chevron boards at Stackhouse Lane and the bend near Anley Grange.

A larger island with a pedestrian refuge at the B6479/Church Street junction, plus the removal of the existing right-turn lane and the narrowing of the carriageway by the introduction of bus and parking bays.

Buff-coloured anti-skid treatment on the existing "pinch-point" at the north end of Settle Market Place.

Installation of an island with a pedestrian refuge at the Cammock Lane junction with Duke Street, plus revised signage and carriageway markings at Ingfield Rail Bridge.

Extending the 30mph zone on the B6480 Langcliffe Road to a point north of the Barrel Sykes development.

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