Skipton for Skipton ignores the disabled

One aspect of this, which seemingly has not been considered, is that of parking for disabled drivers. I have to declare an interest here, being myself the user of a Blue Badge.

Under some of the alternative plans for the bus station, the disabled spaces at the back of Sunwin House will disappear. If Waller Hill car park is also used for ancillary buildings for the bus station, there will then be no disabled parking at all for visitors to Sunwin House, including of course the main Post Office. I urge the planners to think again.

In the High Street, there are at present only a few officially-marked disabled spaces in front of the Town Hall. Unofficially, disabled drivers use the setts between the NatWest and the Edinburgh Woollen Mill and along part of Sheep Street for parking.

Again, it would appear that these unofficial spaces would be lost if the High Street were pedestrianised. I see no plans to replace them - why not?

As far as the wider debate is concerned, about the total number of car parking spaces to be provided, here I think we need to reflect on what we want from the centre of Skipton. If we want a nice place for tourists to walk about, perhaps do some light shopping and have a bite to eat, then fine, park-and-ride schemes may be appropriate.

However, we should then be prepared for more businesses to close, as serious shoppers would go elsewhere. These days, most people are not prepared (even if they are able) to lug half-a-hundredweight of shopping around the town until they can get back to a bus.

Would Marks & Spencer be attracted to set up a new store in a town with such restricted parking as has been proposed in some of the plans? How would banks and building societies fare if it were not possible for customers to park within walking distance for just five minutes to transact their business? Would this mean even more boarded-up windows? If Skipton changed in this way, ostensibly to cater for more tourists, most of whom are attracted by the present diverse mixture of shops and market stalls, would the tourists still want to visit?

Michael Noon,

High Bradley Lane, Bradley.

SIR - I welcome the Skipton Renaissance Report which is broadly in line with my proposals. However the discussions seemed to be mainly centred around the High Street and market and on traffic and parking.

I feel that education and future employment was rather overlooked. Educational opportunities need to be opened up to all children in Skipton/Craven.

It was recognised that this is a relatively low wage area. What are the future prospects and how can we broaden the employment base?

Of course all proposals need cash to carry them out. While Blair is prepared to spend billions on dodgy military adventures in support of the Bush regime and on bailing out the failing privatised rail companies, the cash is not there to spend on Skipton's needs or on the needs of the British people.

A final suggestion: a regular market stall manned by council and councillors to meet the local folk and to involve many more in decision making. Together we can make Skipton a better place - a town to take pride in.

Brian Ormondroyd,

Brindley Court, Skipton.

SIR - Beware the town planning consultants. I read with dismay the resum of the Skipton Renaissance Project "co-ordinated" by the John Thompson Partnership. Surely, these people, complete strangers, are the promoters of the scheme?

While most people would wish to see a reduction in traffic in their town, there are interesting sub-plots in the proposals - to whit: the crux of their ambitions is to build houses and shops on all or part of your town's three car parks. This is where they will make their bucks.

One of Skipton's assets for its lifeblood visitor is the quantity of convenient car parking. Germane to Thompson is a park and ride scheme. These are inconvenient. You are bussed to and from your car.

Do Thompson and his directors ever use them? I think not. What I would like to know is this: who are John Thompson Partnership? Are they linked to any construction or house-building company? What is their dollar take from this?

In total how many new houses and how many new businesses do they envisage? How many cars and delivery vehicles will this generate? What percentage of public car parking do they propose to leave?

How do they imagine the new enterprises will prosper if the park and ride does not do its job? How will new businesses affect the existing ones, many of which are struggling if the unkempt frontages (eg parts of Water Street) are an indicator?

How would the "additional homes and employment" proposed for the ring road avoid ribbon development? Would they do it without the houses?

In conclusion, this is a house-building cum shop-building scheme disguised as renaissance.

In time the cheery talk of the myriad improvements, the "suite" of street furniture, the "work quarters", the "local transport hub", the "high quality spaces" and all the other jargon should be force-fed to the intruders from Thompson.

Finally, perhaps you could enlighten us where these "facilitators" are based? And what the projected council tax take would be from the new houses etc?

In passing, still on tour.

Janet Vasey,

Holbrook Drive,

Scottsdale, USA.

This is a copy of a letter to the chief executive of Craven District Council:

SIR - I don't know if this letter is directed appropriately, but I write concerning the appalling state of the setts on Skipton main street.

My wife and I often have a run to Skipton from Blackburn; it is one of our favourite afternoons out. It's a lovely town with a good market.

However my wife has a disability and finds the ancient setts very difficult to cope with. I am sure she is not alone. They never appear to have been maintained or looked after, except maybe keeping down weeds.

One of the stallholders said the authorities would never do anything about them because they were too "historic". Certainly they add to Skipton's atmosphere and, coming from Blackburn we should know you should be careful not to discard setts.

They did here from the 1960s and have just re-introduced them in a revamp - from Italy!

However many other towns - such as cathedral cities or Knaresborough if you want a parallel - are possibly more historic than Skipton, but have managed to retain the old while making their streets attractive and safe, thus enhancing the shopping experience.

There are also the legal aspects of access for disabled people. They are not a race apart - it could happen to any one of us at any time.

I am not a council tax payer in your area, but I am a frequent tourist and would be interested in your policy on these matters. To see what others feel, I am sending a copy of this letter to the Craven Herald.

JG Hindle,

Moorland Road, Langho.

SIR - I feel your headline may have been a little premature when it claimed that "Chamber backs farmers' market idea".

The rest of the article represented discussion at the Chamber meeting much more accurately.

The image of a colourful market selling fresh local produce along the lines of provincial French towns is appealing, but if it results in the drab display of shrunk-wrapped meats wilting in the sun as on Renaissance Sunday then I suggest we move with caution.

Indeed, if people want a farmers' market while simultaneously wanting better quality goods available on the High Street market why not kill the two birds with one stone and encourage farmers to occupy space within the existing market.

These issues will generate a great deal of discussion over the coming months but to declare that the Chamber has already come down on one side of the argument is a little disingenuous.

Tony Barrett,

President,

Skipton Chamber of Trade and

Commerce.

SIR - "You Are Not Now Entering North Yorkshire?" I live in Cross Hills and am a supporter of the "I live in North Yorkshire and don't like having a West Yorkshire related postcode" issue, voiced in the Herald back in February.

However, my fallback position for ratification of my exact location was always to look upon the road sign situated on the Cross Hills side of the recently repaired bridge on the outskirts of Steeton, which said "County of North Yorkshire".

The bridge repairs have been finished for some time and during this period of work, I noticed that the sign was removed. It has still not reappeared.

Why it was removed, by whom, under whose authority and when will it be put back? Or has it been stolen by Lancastrians over the border desperate for repatriation?

I cannot believe that I am the only person to have noticed this.

Steve Fowler,

14 Airedale View,

Cross Hills.

SIR - My heart goes out to my friends on Broughton Road regarding their washing.

I live on Marton Street and I must be one of the few lucky ones who is able to hang out my washing in the back street due to the kind person who has just moved into the building which runs along our back street.

He has built a wall and has provided each household with a hook for us to carry on hanging out our washing in the street.

It is a shame that not all Broughton Road readers are of the same mind, and that they do not try to get along as all neighbours should.

SE Syms,

Marton Street, Skipton.

SIR - I have read with interest the discussions by Craven District Council planning committee regarding what to do with the building known as Cawder Green Stores.

This building was originally a pair of semi-detached houses, part of the first 50 houses contracted out by Skipton Urban Council to be built after the war.

I was demobbed from the army in September 1945 and was sent to work for a firm of contractors who had been awarded the first contract, Glossops, of Hipperholme.

The building workers were all ex-servicemen and we laid the foundations for six blocks of houses at the bottom of Roughaw Road and on one side of Cawder Green. At the time, it was just one sea of mud. BB Kirk had the contract for the site preparation work - ie roads and sewers.

This work took place in October and November 1946 and the houses were let to ex-servicemen on a points system based on their military service, how many children they had and the conditions they were living under, usually with in-laws. There were four generations in our house but I was well down the list.

This pair of houses was changed into a shop and I clearly remember meeting the first tenant, who would soon become a very well-known person in the Skipton area - Mr Dennis Hall.

Surely it would not take that much work to turn the properties back to their original usage where they would blend in with their surroundings, instead of taking up councillors' valuable time, and get rid of an eyesore once and for all.

S Phillips,

Keighley Road, Skipton.

SIR - I am writing regarding the proposed closure of the Physical Rehabilitation Unit (PRU) at Skipton General Hospital and the relocation of services to Airedale General Hospital.

As both a nurse and past resident of the PRU on two occasions I feel very strongly that this decision is badly timed, poorly consulted on with users and does not reflect this Government's commitment of listening to users of its health service.

As users we would like to bring to everyone's attention the current excellence of this service to residents of not only Craven but wider.

It offers a unique service, a truly committed team of medical staff and therapists and is much more than a building, which can be relocated elsewhere, as it is the team of people who make up the PRU that matters.

I have multiple sclerosis, which is a devastating illness characterised by relapses in health when I need the expertise of people around me who can offer the support and skills needed for rehabilitation. This I found in the PRU.

During my stays in the PRU I have been able to see regularly nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists and people from Social Services and Carers Resource - all of whom understand my illness and needs.

I have not experienced this level of the right kind of support anywhere else in the health service.

I ask all past residents and families to contact the paper and give their views as I am sure there will be ground swell of positive opinion in support of the unit.

Christine Hodson,

Secretary, PRU Users Group,

Harley Bank,

Low Bentham.

Taxing question

SIR - In April, my pension was increased by less than three per cent; at the same time, Craven District Council imposed a seven per cent increase on its share of Council Tax, insisting that this was done reluctantly and only after strenuous efforts to economise.

I learn from your paper that Bolton Abbey Cricket Club has received from Craven District Council £750 for new showers. I would ask why Council Tax payers are subsidising a benefit for a small group of people.

Most cricket clubs finance their own improvements using bar profits and the proceeds of raffles and other fundraising events, contributions to which are voluntary, not compulsory as is Council Tax payment.

Sarah E Birkin,

Gooselands, Rathmell.

SIR - Just a note to thank all the staff and volunteers at Skipton Castle and the Fattorini for a wonderful day.

The sun shone, the Life and Times society re-enactment was brilliant and the crowds enjoyed it all. A great credit to Skipton.

(Has anyone found a cannon ball?).

Malcolm Keighley,

Hill Rise, Skipton.

SIR - I was delighted to read last week that John Sheard's "Dalesfolk" focused on young people and some of the great things that young people are capable of. Well done, Mr Sheard, for recognising and challenging your prejudices and making an effort to listen to young people!

Through my work, I have many more examples of young people doing great things should you need material in future, John!

I work for The Prince's Trust and have worked with young people who have overcome appalling mistakes and problems to turn their lives around.

The trust aims to help unemployed young people with grants, loans, training and support to help ensure their lives are something really worth living.

Please call or text me if you are aged 16- 25 (or up to age 30 for Business Start Up Loans) and need financial or other forms of assistance to get into employment, training or education.

Inquiries from parents, youth workers or other interested parties welcomed also.

Sophie Pattani,

The Prince's Trust,

Gargrave Road, Skipton.

(Tel 07717 488542)

SIR - I write with reference to your article entitled "Villagers unite to call for public sewer" (Craven Herald, August 1).

Because there is nowhere else for it to go, our septic tanks have been discharging into Stirton and Thorlby becks for generations.

In 1992, the then National Rivers Authority (NRA), now The Environment Agency, wrote to us advising (without the least thought for the effect on elderly widows and such) that we were breaking the law by so doing. They then threatened us with a £10,000 fine for polluting the becks.

But at a public meeting, a representative of the NRA also stated that our tanks could never, whatever we did, produce an effluent that would satisfy their requirements (because the becks sometimes dried up).

All this was to apply pressure on Craven District Council to provide a public sewer. After a failed attempt to obtain European 5b money to finance the scheme, Craven District Council refused to do so.

Is it any surprise that we unite to appeal against Yorkshire Water's refusal to provide a sewer, bearing in mind that their own consultant's report states in its conclusion "Duty to provide a sewer under section 101 A does apply"?

Peter Longbottom,

Stirton-with-Thorlby Sewerage

Sub-Committee.