Opinions about the temporary closure of the Market Place have been rife. The issue has also been argued at some length at a number of our committee and members meetings. What concerns me most is that opinions generally seem to be polarized at the two extremes, even within the society, with precious little sign of any attempt to improve or modify the scheme while the opportunity is still there.

          I will make a few observations of my own.

          First and foremost, has everyone conveniently forgotten the chaos and mayhem of Market Place traffic on Mondays? It could scarcely be called a through route – more of a linear car park.  I also distinctly remember the local press reporting a deputation of market traders lobbying the Town Council to get the road closed on market day.  That one must have been conveniently forgotten too.

          Figures have been quoted about the drop in trade, but it is human nature to ‘spin’ the facts to suit the argument.  Has anyone produced trading figures that give a fair and honest comparison with similar trading periods before and after the traffic ban came into effect? Such figures need to take account of the downturn in the economy due to increasing inflation, as markets and small town are reportedly struggling all round the country. Talking of figures, the majority of Pickering residents who expressed a preference  voted in favour of the closure. The percentage of the town’s population that represents is quite irrelevant. Those who freely choose not to vote, for whatever reason, don’t count. That’s how democracy works, providing they’ve been given the opportunity.

          All the pedestrianisation schemes I’ve witnessed have considerably improved town centres without reducing trade (and probably increased it).  However, ours is more of a ‘half baked’ temporary affair, which seems destined to failure. But what happens if/when it does fail? Presumably, we go back to the dangerous chaotic mayhem until the next half baked, council tax wasting scheme is implemented.

          Is anything going to be done about enforcing traffic regulations? As long as Ryedale DC consider car parking as a ‘Milk Cow’ and refuse to provide free parking for disabled badge holders, there will be continued queues of parked cars causing mayhem all around Park Street and the Market Place – on any day of the week. They will continue to be augmented by those who confidently ignore traffic restrictions, safe in the knowledge that yellow lines are incorrectly painted and there is little or no will to enforce them.

          Is it really so unrealistic to move the lower market stalls into the road to widen the pavement? It’s always easy to hide behind Health & Safety regulations, but how healthy and safe will it be if we return to square one. Has anyone considered the amount of pavement space available at the top of the Market Place, the parking area on Smiddy Hill, or (heaven forbid) even the Ropery car park. Is it really too much to ask to canvas the opinion of the traders directly involved and try a little compromise.

          In conjunction with academics from Oxford, Durham and Newcastle Universities, two members of the society have been involved for the past year in a project studying flooding in Ryedale.  There will be an event in the Memorial Hall on 28 October between about 1400-2100 to present the findings.  I can guarantee that anyone with an interest in flooding will find this to be of great interest, so make a note in your diary.

Mike Potter.