A Catterick Garrison bypass would have a limited impact on improving traffic flow and a policy of encouraging “walking, wheeling and cycling” should be adopted instead, a council report has concluded.
Members of North Yorkshire Council’s Richmond area committee will debate a petition calling for measures to tackle congestion on the A6136 through the military town next week.
More than 1,000 people have signed the petition which was launched by Hipswell and Colburn division councillor, Kevin Foster.
But a report prepared ahead of the meeting concludes that most trips on the road are to destinations along the route.
Nicki Lishman, senior democratic services officer, said in the report: “Consequently, a relief road or bypass would have limited impact in reducing perceived network strain.
“The modelling shows that, at best, a bypass would displace that traffic to other access routes towards the town.”
Instead, the report says motorists should be encouraged to move toward “walking, wheeling and cycling” for short journeys as a way of reducing trips at busier times.
“Infrastructure is available on the route to support the switch to walking, wheeling and cycling for shorter journeys, though we recognise that, in places, improvements could be made or new links delivered which would ease the strain on the network at busier times,” the officer says.
The road was last surveyed by Richmondshire District Council between 2018 and 2020 amid fears the route could reach capacity due to the number of new homes being built in the area.
This led to improvements at several junctions in a bid to improve traffic flow.
The officer adds: “Notwithstanding this, it is acknowledged that the lived-in experience is that at times, the network in Catterick is under strain but this is exacerbated at peak times and associated with specific events in the vicinity.”
Cllr Foster said he and “thousands of residents” did not agree with the report’s findings
He added: “This effectively expects people to walk or cycle to adult education and key services, which is unrealistic and excludes our disabled community.
“This route is part of the designated key road network and I do not agree with this report.
“I will be asking questions and expect evidence to support these claims. With major housing growth now underway, we must be proactive and address capacity now.”
The petition will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on Monday next week.
Does this report take into account all the people who travel in from outside the area to work each day in the Garrison? Also do they expect all the military traffic to start walking or use bikes!! What planet are these planners on!!
There should be a duel carriageway all the way from the A1M junction to camp centre giving access to all parts of the camp and this should have been done years ago, they promised this when they removed the railway line into the camp and the old line route was designated to be used for this purpose.
About time NYC started spending some money in this area and not on other towns!! The population of Richmond and Catterick add up to a large population just as big as Harrogate, Scarborough etc yet we always get left behind on funding.
8 years out of date. All you have to do is watch the traffic from 7am – 9am then tell me how many are going to places on route. What absolute baubles! Roulette t junction is frightening. A lot more houses have gone up in 8 years with a lot more going up. The MOD is expanding. How you got 19million levelling up money is beyond a joke for a park and town hall for a town center. Catterick doesn’t have a town center. It’s a total mismash of accommodations, shops barracks , schools church houses field barracks School – their is no center! Looking at other places who got levelling up money puts the use of £19/21+ million for a park with ridiculous priced art/sculptures, oh and the consultation says it is going to make you all walk or get on your bicycle to go to the shops…. Really,??!?!!!
I think it had to be done for the med center to get the go ahead. Yes we definitely need the CIC but the roads need to be done.
I really think there is some skulduggery a foot
How arrogant & pompous to suggest people should walk, cycle on this route.
The mistakes surely lie with Richmond’s local council in the first place for allowing so many houses to be built alongside the route. Very, very short sighted!
What about the elderly and disabled are they expected to walk, wheel or cycle . The bus service alone is disgusting due to the road being gridlocked
The council needs to get off cloud nine and come and see the amount of traffic at certain times. I work in Richmond do you expect me to walk to work at 0500. It’s been like this for about 2 years and it’s only going to get worse with all these houses getting built and the council obviously don’t take into account of the infrastructure
Something to bear in mind at the next council elections!