Call for debate on lorry ban for Settle (From Craven Herald)

Call for debate on lorry ban for Settle

9:00am Sunday 16th December 2012 in News By Clive White, Senior Reporter

County Councillor Richard Welch

Settle residents are being urged to debate plans to regenerate Settle and free it from the pressure of heavy lorries.

The Settle Town Survey, carried out by Dr John England, recommended restrictions on HGV traffic through the town, pedestrianisation of the market place and for most of the quarry materials to be transported by rail.

The plans have sparked some disquiet with some fearing it could lead to the loss of jobs in the quarry industry in the area.

Pat Harding, chairman of the Friends of Upper Ribblesdale (FOUR), said: “We are asking everyone to talk about it. The HGVs are twice as many and twice as big.

“We can’t just roll on-and-on, otherwise somebody will be killed.”

She stressed they were grateful for the quarry industry but felt they could not have a positive dialogue.

The landlord of the Lion, Ian Pilcher, spoke of his experience with noise from HGVs which was impacting on his business.

He said: “We received complaints from TripAdvisor from guests woken up at 5am caused by the noise and disruption.

“I’m supportive of the quarries - I don’t want people to be out of work - but HGVs are not the right mode of transport.”

Michael Southworth, of North Craven Heritage Trust, said he backed FOUR’s aims.

“We must all get together and let it snowball and once Settle and the area become a better place it will gather pace and more positive things will develop,” he said.

County Councillor Richard Welch said Settle was developing “very well” and questioned whether regeneration was appropriate.

He invited FOUR to a meeting of the Freight Quality Partnership.

For more information, visit F-O-U-R.org.uk