Concerns that walkers on the Coast to Coast National Trail are putting themselves at risk by attempting to cross the A19 on foot are set to be raised with the mayor of York and North Yorkshire.
Councillor David Hugill will highlight the issue when David Skaith attends the next meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s Richmond area committee on Monday.
Cllr Hugill, member for Hutton Rudby and Osmotherley, who also chairs Ingleby Arncliffe Parish Council, says walkers following the popular long-distance trail regularly attempt to cross the 70mph dual carriageway near the village.
Although an alternative route is available using a bridge further along the A19, he says few walkers appear to take it, possibly because of the additional distance involved towards the end of a tiring day.
Cllr Hugill said seeing a walker sitting on the central reservation crash barrier waiting for a gap in the traffic was a “regular occurrence”.
He said the issue was particularly important because Ingleby Arncliffe is a popular stopping point on the Coast to Coast route, with walkers staying overnight or stopping for refreshments.
Cllr Hugill said he welcomed investment by the Combined Authority in a long-term approach to road safety combining infrastructure, enforcement and prevention, but added that a bridge for walkers across the A19 remained on the community’s “wish-list”.
He will tell the mayor that the dangers facing walkers do not end once they have crossed the dual carriageway.
Concerns have also been raised about speeding vehicles through the village and heavy traffic using narrow local roads as a shortcut to the A19 instead of travelling via the A172.
Cllr Hugill said this was putting both residents and visitors at risk, particularly because there is no pavement along the section used by Coast to Coast walkers.
He also claims there is little or no enforcement of the village’s 30mph speed limit or the national speed limit on roads on its outskirts.
Discussions have taken place for a number of years about building over the A19 near Ingleby Arncliffe to provide Coast to Coast walkers with a safer alternative to crossing the A19.
Feasibility work has been completed and a preferred option identified, although no fun ding has been agreed for the work.
The concerns are among a number of local transport issues due to be put to Mr Skaith when he meets members of the committee on Monday.
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