WITH reference to the proposed housing development north of Airedale Avenue, Skipton, (Developer submits plans for 53 new homes, Craven Herald, August 29); all previous unsuccessful attempts to develop the land in question, have failed to properly address the most serious problem of all, that of the current inadequate access to the proposed site. The only way into town for traffic at present is via Airedale Avenue, Hurrs Road, and Shortbank Road, but this busy route has become fraught with serious problems, and completely unsuitable for additional traffic.

Previous traffic flow surveys conducted by the Highways Authority were undertaken on days and times when traffic was particularly light. As a result, their "findings" were accepted without question by the planners. Many letters were submitted when these previous applications arose, pointing out the inadequate access available, but all were ignored. This cannot be allowed to continue since then traffic problems have increased, especially since the pandemic, with more people working from home and more houses being built.

Site visits were made by previous planning committees but were confined to the proposed development area only, so Airedale Avenue and the surrounding road /traffic infrastructure never got considered. The planner's entry to the site was even via Otley Road, and under the railway pedestrian bridge, with it being only a few yards from the development area.

This (or somewhere near) would actually make a perfect alternative entry point to this newly proposed development with it being straight onto Otley Road, which runs directly into town Airedale Avenue joins Hurrs Road by a very dangerous junction, and is regarded generally as being "an accident waiting to happen".

Hurrs Road doubles back on itself making it impossible for traffic leaving Airedale Avenue, turning right towards town, to get a clear view of any approaching traffic and leaving little, or no time, for drivers to react. This problem is regularly made worse by parked cars on Hurrs roadside leading up to, on the apex of, and around the corner into Airedale Avenue.

Inconsiderate drivers speeding up Hurrs Road add to the problem Hurrs Road is the connection with Shortbank Road and is used by all drivers. It is very narrow and now effectively only one lane, with vehicles continually parked on both sides for its full length. Frequently there are no available spaces for cars to pull in when other vehicles approach, making reversing necessary, often a considerable distance. The road being fairly steep becomes particularly hazardous in icy conditions when vehicles, especially lorries etc, have to negotiate the narrow slippery road between the parked cars, with very little room for error.

Shortbank Road is in continuous use throughout the day with it being the only road leading into town from the densely populated areas of the Horse Close and Greatwood Housing estates, Moorview Way, Hurrs Road, Airedale Avenue, Wensleydale Avenue, Wharfedale Close, Elsey Croft and the recent Aldersley Avenue housing development.

The old railway bridge part way down the road makes single lane narrowing necessary, and as a result, has become extremely hazardous to all traffic. Official priority is given to vehicles travelling up Hurrs Road but this is continually ignored by drivers who choose to push their way through regardless, often resulting in confrontations and road rage situations.

Hold-ups also regularly occur at the bridge, with vehicle tailbacks regularly reaching over 100 metres, especially at high volume times resulting in long waits for drivers.

I was extremely concerned to learn that another 53 houses are being planned for our area as it potentially represents adding another 100 plus vehicles to our already heavily congested road/traffic infrastructure.

It has been generally accepted that the area in question would ultimately be developed. But please, not until some better alternative access arrangements have been put in place. Otley Road is the perfect access point to ease the current congestion problems, and this possibility needs to be seriously investigated, with it being only a few yards from the new development area plus Airedale Avenue and is a direct route into Skipton town centre.

One final concern that regularly arises is that of final planning decisions now being taken at Northallerton rather than Skipton, by people who are neither familiar with the area nor in full possession of all the facts involved.

It is therefore imperative that their ultimate decision is influenced accurately and fairly by a full and detailed survey of the access problem that exists which is submitted to them by our locally elected planning committee made up of local people who are party to all the facts involved, and are prepared to stand their ground to ensure their findings and recommendations are considered and adopted, before any more housing developments are allowed to proceed.

Anthony Woodyatt Skipton.