A PACKAGE of measures to slow down traffic through Hellifield has been welcomed this week.

A traffic management scheme has been designed for the bustling village by North Yorkshire County Council.

The proposals follow work at other villages, including Gargrave and Coniston Cold, which also have to deal with heavy traffic on the A65.

The proposals include 40mph gateway signs to be erected on the perimeter of Hellifield on the Skipton side, and 30mph signs at the right hand junction to Malham.

A red textured surfacing is also planned for the entrance to the village. Other proposals include measures to warn drivers of sharp bends, such as the one at The Black Horse and that near the railway bridge.

At the Settle side of the village, it is proposed that 40mph signs be erected before the lay-by on the A65 and 30mph signs further into the village after the lay-by at Townsend Tractors.

Furthermore, it is planned to increase the number of traffic control crossings outside Hellifield Primary School and erect warning signs and flashing lights. A request by the parish council for a pelican crossing outside the school was not included in the scheme.

Members of the council have welcomed the proposals, however, which were drawn up after much consultation.

In a letter to the county council, the parish council said: "The councillors were very pleased to see the 40mph speed limit before entering the village from Skipton. It was noted that everything we have asked for has been considered and most things have been included in the proposals.

"The only issue which has not been included is the pelican crossing, which the council feel would be used a lot, in the vicinity of where the current school crossing is close to the Station Road/Brook Street junction from the A65."

Members of Craven District Council were also consulted along with other local bodies, the district authority commenting: "The traffic management scheme is welcomed in principle as a means of reducing the speed of traffic through the village and improving road safety."

However, the authority was not happy with the materials proposed for the red traffic calming surface.

"It is disappointing to note that the design and materials used in the scheme are not as sympathetic to the village environment as those implemented in Gargrave. Whilst it is acknowledged that Hellifield is not designated as a conservation area, the village does nevertheless have a pleasant rural character set within attractive open countryside.

"The council would therefore urge the county council to seek advice from its own heritage unit on the ways in which the proposals could be more sympathetically designed to appear less garish and harsh to the village environment without unduly compromising road safety objectives."

The county council will now consider all the comments before making a final decision.

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