Julian Smith CBE MP has launched a campaign to address serious safety concerns on the A61 at South Stainley after numerous serious accidents and four fatalities in a matter of weeks.
After concerns were raised by local residents about the longstanding and well-documented dangers on sections of the A61, Julian met with North Yorkshire Council to discuss what action is being taken to address these.
He subsequently met with over twenty residents to better understand their concerns, with issues raised including inadequate overtaking lanes, excessive speed limits, widespread use of the road as an impromptu racetrack by motorcyclists, and rat-running through Ripley village.
Julian has communicated these concerns to North Yorkshire Council, with further meetings taking place in due course.
Julian Smith said, “Just over a month ago, a horrific crash took the lives of a fifteen-year-old girl’s mum, brother and sister.
“While I have been humbled by the astonishing generosity of friends, local residents and perfect strangers alike, raising nearly £50,000 for her since, we must also ensure that tragic accidents like this do not happen again.
“I’m grateful to North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police for their swift response to the recent spate of accidents on the A61, as well as those residents who met with me two weeks ago to share their concerns, as we continue to look for a solution.”
