TRANSPORT officials have defended their decision to not extend the closure of Skipton High Street on market days.

The restrictions were introduced earlier in the pandemic to aid social distancing and received positive feedback from many shoppers and traders who said it boosted business and made High Street feel safer.

Skipton Town Council also made a request for an extension of the closures in order to help it assess how the markets could be improved.

But this was refused by officials at North Yorkshire County Council who said they had received several complaints over traffic jams and that it would be “impractical” to keep the road closed while major roadworks get underway in the coming months.

These works include temporary closures on The Bailey to assist housebuilding works, as well as £7.8m upgrades to the area outside of Skipton Train Station.

“We can not have the High Street closed while these works are ongoing,” said Daniel Herbet, highways improvement manager, at a county council meeting yesterday.

“These works will not be completed until March 2023. That is 18 months of major investment in the town which affects the highways and makes it impracticable for High Street to remain closed.”

Also at the meeting, resident Angela Moynahan said in a statement that she was “deeply concerned and disappointed” by the council’s decision not to extend the closures.

She said: “This decision, which appears to have been taken in summary fashion with no consultation, ignores the views of the majority of residents and businesses of Skipton.

“Closing the High Street on market days is beneficial for a number of reasons. It creates a safer environment for pedestrians, it improves air quality for pedestrians and stallholders alike, it makes shopping a more pleasurable experience and it creates better access for disabled people.”

Susannah Daley, a businesswoman who owns Alexander’s Grand Café, Bar and Terrace on High Street, added: “We believe these closures of the High Street have hugely benefited businesses and residents.

“We have seen great business coming in on these days, significantly higher than when the market runs in its traditional manner.

“It also means residents and visitors are not dicing with death with the vans that had taken to parking irresponsibly at the side of the road, making a trip down High Street on market days even more perilous.”

While many residents and businesses have argued in favour of keeping the restrictions, some have also strongly opposed the idea.

Mr Herbet said the county council had not only received complaints about traffic jams causing problems for commuters and public transport, but also from some businesses elsewhere in the town centre.

He also said some residents have avoided visiting the town centre on market days because of difficulties getting in.

With strong feelings on both sides of the debate, Mr Herbet added that the council could be open to discussions about what restrictions could be reintroduced in the future, but only once the major projects are completed.

He said: “There are sound reasons for ending the closures, but that doesn’t mean there is an end to the situation. It may well be in 18 months time that we come back and revisit this.”