Volunteers will soon begin tidying up the car park at the Outgang in Thornton Rust, Aysgarth and District Parish Council was informed at its last meeting.
The work will include scraping and resurfacing the parking areas, reseeding adjacent landscaping, improving the wild life habitat, restoration of the sheepfold and sheep washing area, the provision of an information board and the creation of a picnic area with tables.
Councillor David Pointon said that volunteers from the village would carry out most of the work. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has allocated a grant of over £4,900 from its sustainable development fund to this project.
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Bishopdale Bridge. – Councillor Alison Sayer said that no repair work had yet been carried out on this bridge.
Another councillor had reported that the drivers working for a local contractor were still driving large lorries along the B6160 even though one had contributed to the damage to the bridge. Triple-axle type lorries caused havoc to oncoming vehicles along that road, he stated.
It was also reported that the road surface on Tom Gill bridge north of Thoralby needed to be repaired.
Drainage issues. – A request from a resident in Thornton Rust for permission to place a Kargester under the track to his house was discussed. It was resolved that the parish council couldn’t give permission as it was not lawful to allow this type of development on the village green.
It was agreed that the parish council should request a site meeting with a Yorkshire Water official regarding the concerns of residents about the sewerage system at the east end of Aysgarth.
Ward boundaries. – Richmondshire District councillor Yvonne Peacock and North Yorkshire county councillor John Blackie reported on the proposed reduction of the number of district councillors from 34 to 24 following the recommendation of the Local Government Boundary Commission to re-draw ward boundaries.
The main concerns were how to retain community cohesion and meet the needs of the rural wards.
“The Commission is looking for the same number of people to be represented by one councillor – so in the Upper Dales one might cover over 100 square miles while in Colburn it might be over two to three estates,” said Cllr Blackie.
He added that there could also be an electoral review of county councillors. At present for his county council area of 325 square miles he can drive 737 miles to attend parish council meetings, he said.
When discussing the problems faced by rural communities one councillor mentioned the possibility of further bank closures in Leyburn and the loss of 24/7 ATM machines.
Parish council meetings. – It was agreed that the parish council meetings should continue to be held at Aysgarth Insititute.
The next meeting of the parish council is at 7.30pm on Thursday, July 27.
