Winter 2020 / 2021 Review
As we move from Winter into Spring this Parish Council update on our Winter activities is somewhat shorter than usual. Winter is always a quieter time and activities have continued to be curtailed by the ongoing Covid restrictions, plus the recent floods and freeze up. However, we have been able to hold our regular Parish Council Meetings via Zoom and been able to progress a few items.
- Topcliffe Lorry Watch Scheme - we have continued to be active in feeding back details of suspected illegal HGV traffic to North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards Department. To date we have reported over 600 HGV passages and we are actively pursuing Trading Standards for their feedback on actions taken on these reports. Although we are hopeful of positive results from the scheme, we continue to consider further actions to resolve any ongoing problems
- Dalton Industrial Expansion Proposals – in general we support this development of the local economy and local employment. But this must be done in an environmentally sustainable and sensitive way. We are actively canvasing the developers to include assurances that all HGV traffic arising from this development are routed directly via the A168 and are prohibited from access via our Topcliffe roads.
We are confident that such a commitment will not only prevent additional HGV traffic arising from the new development, but will also result in a reduction of overall HGV traffic on our streets.
- Road repairs at Mill Bank - after continual lobbying by the Parish Council, repairs to the unsafe railings and support wall on the A167 above Mill Bank (Catton Lane) are finally scheduled to start mid-March. The work comes under the Bridges Department of Highways England and will involve:
- Repointing various worn areas of the wall.
- Rebuilding an 8m long section of the wall, near the centre.
- Installation of a new drainage system within the wall itself and a soakaway at the base, within the Highways Verge.
- And, after consultation with the Parish Council, they have also agreed to incorporate repairs to the public footpath steps between the A167 and Mill Bank bottom in their work programme.
- Playing field and cemetery – we have now complete repairs or replacements to the damaged and broken fencing along the entry lane to the playing fields and cemetery frontage.
The Toll Booth - an English Heritage specialist has reviewed the property and reported on the mandatory work required to repair this historical building. We are now awaiting quotes from the skilled builders needed to undertake this type of restoration. Once we have the quotes, we will be seeking funding from the appropriate authorities for contributions to the costs.
Finally, just a reminder that members of the public are welcome to attend our monthly meetings held on the first Thursday of each month. An agenda and timing will be posted on the Council website (https://www.topcliffe.org.uk) and a link to the Zoom meetings can be obtained from the Topcliffe Parish Council Clark - topcliffeparishcouncil@gmail.com
