Farndale residents get the support of their MP regarding concerns about road safety.
At a parish meeting at Low Mill Farndale a number of local people met with their MP to discuss their concerns about road maintenance in the area. They told Kevin Hollinrake that other, nearby dales, such as Bransdale and Rosedale, had benefited from recent resurfacing work whereas Farndale had not.
The MP for Thirsk and Malton heard how residents were worried about the safety of the roads, both in terms of the call-out of emergency services and for children being taken to school in either taxis or school buses. The safety fears were exacerbated by the lack of mobile ‘phone coverage in the dale and a lack of grit boxes, which again seem to be available in other dales but not in Farndale.
Mr. Hollinrake has previously contacted North Yorkshire County Council on this issue and after the meeting this week he has written to them again to ask for clarification on timescales for existing plans for resurfacing works for roads in the dale. He has also inquired about the criteria for the allocation of resources in the case of Farndale compared to other similar rural locations. Further to this he also asked about the effectiveness day to day reactive repairs compared to more strategic resurfacing work.
“It is clear to me that residents feel they need more effective communication from North Yorkshire County Council so that their questions around when work can be done to improve the road surface can be clearly explained and understood. In rural communities the importance of good transport links cannot be underestimated no matter how remote the homes. The safety of the residents of these villages is directly linked to reliable access in all weather conditions. I hope that the matter can soon be resolved so that the parishioners of Farndale can be reassured. ”