Calls for Hartlepool council to review ‘ridiculous’ driver restrictions on York Road

Hartlepool Borough Council introduced a temporary closure to general traffic on York Road between Victoria Road and Park Road from September 21 to promote social distancing.

Only buses, bicycles and yellow taxis are supposed to use the road between 10am–4pm in the trial scheme.

Mr Hill has questioned how it will help combat Covid-19 and has written to Hartlepool to express the views of constituents.

The council says the scheme is to make it easier for people to observe social distancing past queues outside banks and other business premises.

But Mr Hill said: “The closing off of York Road to through traffic is ridiculous.

"It’s not a natural pedestrian area because of all the barriers placed along the Park Road to Victoria Road stretch and so I fail to see how the council can justify the introduction of this ban on traffic right now.

“Tragically I know of two businesses in that locality which have already crumbled because of Covid-19 and as a member of the Town Deal Board I get that we need to save the high street, but this measure just doesn’t make sense and doesn’t help facilitate that.

"As vehicles continue to use that strip of road day in day out I am concerned there is going to be an accident due to all the confusion and unnecessary fines meted out to motorists.

“I would urge the council to rethink its position on this decision and do the right thing by reversing it.”

But the council defended the reasons for the scheme and says it is about to consult with businesses.

A council spokesperson said: “The area was identified as a potential ‘bottle neck’ once the original lockdown restrictions were eased, with large queues blocking the footpath and pedestrians opting to walk along the road to avoid the congestion.

"Whilst those queues have now eased, given increasing infection rates we do not want to see their return and the breaking of social distancing rules.

“This trial will monitor whether removing general traffic during the peak shopping hours (10am–4pm) creates a safer environment for people to use the carriageway should they need to.

"It is not a pedestrianisation scheme though, and people still need to be aware that buses, taxis and cycles continue to use the road.”

The council stressed it is a temporary measure in response to coronavirus and social distancing requirements, and allows the road to be used by all vehicles during rush hour.

The spokesperson added: “We are also about to consult with businesses again and their views will help us to further assess the effectiveness of the trial scheme and decide whether it should continue.

“We are keen build on the shift in momentum towards more sustainable modes of transport and this scheme, although only covering a relatively short stretch of road, aims to promote active travel by encouraging a safer and more attractive environment for cycling.

"The results of this trial will help inform potential future active travel corridors throughout the Borough. The works themselves align with the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund intentions.”

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