The number of accidents on Skipton's roads could be reduced with the introduction of two traffic calming schemes.

The final results from public consultations on Broughton Road and Gargrave Road have formed the basis of a project to install pavement build outs and parking bays on both roads to slow down traffic.

An Area Three Highways Sub-committee recommended the schemes be put in place as soon as possible.

Graham Cressey, of North Yorkshire County Council Highways department, said: "There is money in this year's budget to do it, but we are still working on the timescale."

On Gargrave Road, pavement build outs and parking bays will feature between Rockwood Drive and Coach Street. There will be pedestrian crossing facilities, bus stop clearways and improvements to the pelican crossing outside St Stephen's Primary School.

Mr Cressey said there was a lot of discussion surrounding the provision of mini roundabouts at the sub-committee meeting. He said members decided to include roundabouts at Rockwood Drive and Coach Street, but in view of the concerns they would be monitored for six months.

Around Skipton Girls' High School it is claimed 51 per cent of drivers exceed the 30mph speed limit in an eastbound direction and 43 per cent westbound.

This and the 22 injuries in four years on the road have spurred the Council into taking action.

Questionnaires and leaflets were handed out to the public for comments. These indicated that 71 per cent preferred a scheme which retained the parking areas, and only 20 per cent opted for another which would have seen the introduction of cycle lanes.

Sixty seven per cent of residents opted for a similar scheme on Broughton Road which would reduce the carriageway width by the provision of build outs and parking areas.

There was massive support for the reduction of the 40mph zone to 30mph near the railway and requests to extend the 30mph westwards because of the bend on the approach to the proposed start of the speed limit.

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