So what’s been happening of interest around Pickering recently? I hear the NYMR are buying a new Sprinter train to run on the Whitby service. I suppose it must make good business sense, as it will be modern, functional, practical and much more environmentally friendly. However, will it sit comfortably alongside the painstakingly restored steam locomotives and rolling stock on a heritage railway?

          I trust the train buffs have not already cast the Beacon aside in their rush to put pen to paper or are already on the phone to harangue Philip Benham about this outrage, for the simple reason that it isn’t true. A blatant fabrication to illustrate a point.  The new railway shed alongside the NYMR car park is nearing completion. It is all those things attributed to the Sprinter above, but while perfectly suited to an industrial estate or a farm, it’s hard to credit that it fulfilled the planning criteria for development within Pickering’s conservation area. In order to protect the historic townscape, residents of the many listed buildings only yards away face strict controls on even minor changes to their property, use of materials etc. Meanwhile, a large brick & steel industrial building has been erected within a few hundred yards of the Castle, High Mill, the authentically restored station building and a whole host of listed buildings. Was the planning   inspector that approved the plans (plus the local councillors that voted in favour) looking at completely different criteria for building in a conservation area? How strange that these two ends of the spectrum can come from the same planning and policy guidance. Do planners and government  expect residents to have confidence in a  system displaying such double standards?

          Several years ago, society members provided a significant input to the Pickering traffic strategy carried out by NYCC & consultants. One of the key findings, which we wholeheartedly agreed with, was that the Hungate traffic lights played a major role in summer gridlock. The slow cycling of the lights due to the staggered crossroad causes traffic to quickly tail back during busy times. When the tailback extends  beyond the A170/169 roundabout, everything grinds to a halt in all directions. A major improvement would be to realign Vivis Lane into a proper crossroads, reducing the three separate phases of lights to two and therefore reducing waiting time.  The added benefit would be the removal of one of Pickering’s major eyesores, the coal yard site and house, and possibly even an extension of the riverside walk. The society has repeatedly badgered Ryedale DC about this, but to no avail so far. With various parcels of land at the end of Vivis Lane being sold for development, there is a danger that the opportunity will be lost forever. We would like to see some of the ‘RDC millions’ used to purchase the land in this area. Bearing in mind the limited building potential (and consequent lower value) due to regular flooding, they could team up with NYCC to improve the junction and therefore traffic flow, remove the coal yard eyesore, provide a bit more car parking and maybe a bit of ‘public open space’. Anyone care to offer me the odds on it happening?

Mike Potter.