The A684 through Appersett will be closed for at least four weeks from August 14 as the bridge urgently needs repairing.
Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council was informed by North Yorkshire councillor Yvonne Peacock at its meeting on July 31 that the bridge was no longer safe for larger loads due to it being undermined by water ingression. The weight limit has, therefore, been reduced until it has been repaired.
During the repair work there will be a diversion via Hardraw. The parish council assumed that the county Highways Authority had checked that the bridge at Hardraw was suitable to carry the vehicle weights required.
It was reported that the proposed traffic lights for the bridge at Appersett had not been installed due to difficulties in getting an electrical supply to them.
Bus services. – North Yorkshire Council had notified the parish council about its review and renewal of local subsidised bus services.
The parish council’s response is that it is very keen to keep all the existing services as these are very important to the area. Under no circumstances does it wish to see the services reduced.
It was reported that the bus stop in Gayle looked in a state of disrepair, particularly the roof. Cllr Peacock said she would check who was responsible for its upkeep.
Highways. – Positive feedback had been received from residents at Lunds about the new road signs. The Highways Authority will erect additional signs which have a warning triangle and the words ‘hidden dips and bends for one mile’.
Cllr Peacock told the meeting that the replacement of curbstones starting outside the public toilet going towards Birdcage Walk and repairing cobbles in Hawes would not now begin until next year.
She reported that Tarmac had confirmed it would carry out repair work on the road surface at the junction by Café Curva.
She said she would follow up with the Highways Authority about road works not being carried out between Snaizeholme Road End and Lanaker Lane. She will also check on the ownership of the Hill and steps opposite The White Hart and The Holme as it had been reported that repair work was required.
The parish council had been asked if it would consider double yellow lines being painted on the roadside in Hawes from White’s shop up to Town Head. After discussion it was resolved that the council were not in favour of this. It was noted that there is a drop kerb there and that it is illegal to park over a drop kerb.
Planning. – It was agreed that, whilst the parish council had no objection to the conversion of the former hair salon at the west end of Hawes Market Place, it will inform the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) that it would prefer this was only for local occupation rather than also for a holiday let. It was felt that this would be of benefit to the community as there was a high demand for such one-bedroom properties locally.
The parish council will again write to the YDNPA planning department about its concerns regarding the planning application to convert a redundant agricultural building at West Shaw Farm in Beggarmans Road, Gayle, for local occupancy or a holiday let.
It had not received a response when it informed the YDNPA that whilst there were no objections to the conversion concerns were raised regarding parking as the access is very narrow and is off a very fast road where there has been an accident recently.
The YDNPA had informed the parish council that the apartments at the old Barclays Bank building in Hawes would be for local occupancy only and this would be secured with a legal agreement. The plans showed that the ATM would be retained but the YDNPA was seeking further clarification from the applicant.
The parish council was informed that the amended application for the conversion of a garage and outbuildings to form a one bedroom holiday let at Ingledene, Burtersett, will be discussed by the YDNPA planning committee on August 22.
Donations. – The parish council agreed to make a donation of £250 towards the cost of Hawes Bonfire and Fireworks night.
It will also make a donation of £100 to Hawes Band. The band had offered to play in the town on Sundays during the summer but it was felt it was too late to organise this.
Next meeting. – is in Gayle Institute at 7pm on Monday, September 25.
