Ripon's MP and North Yorkshire Council’s transport lead have met to discuss lowering the speed limit on a section of the A61 where a family of three were killed.
Speed limit on deadly road between Harrogate and Ripon could be reduced Ripon MP Julian Smith and North Yorkshire Council’s transport lead Keane Duncan have met to discuss lowering the speed limit on a section of the A61 where a family of three were killed in September. Daria Bartienieva, 35, her son Ihor Bartieniev, aged six, and her stepdaughter Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, were killed in the crash on the A61 near South Stainley. The family were from Ukraine and were living in Ripon. A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the family’s surviving daughter has raised almost £50,000. The A61, which is the key route between Ripon and Harrogate, has faced incidents involving vehicles for many years and Mr Smith wrote on his website that he recently met around 20 local residents to hear their concerns. [caption id="attachment_85080" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Ripon MP Julian Smith and North Yorkshire Council’s transport lead Keane Duncan.[/caption] Issues raised included inadequate overtaking lanes, excessive speed limits, use of the road as a racetrack by motorcyclists and rat-running through Ripley. He brought these concerns for a meeting with Keane Duncan, where the possibility of lowering the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph was raised. Coun Duncan said that the council is currently undertaking speed surveys on the road and a “broader package of improvement measures” could be brought to the public for consultation soon. Mr Smith said:
“Just over a month ago, a horrific crash took the lives of a fifteen-year-old girl’s mum, brother and sister. “While I have been humbled by the astonishing generosity of friends, local residents and perfect strangers alike, raising nearly £50,000 for her since, we must also ensure that tragic accidents like this do not happen again. “I’m grateful to North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police for their swift response to the recent spate of accidents on the A61, as well as those residents who met with me two weeks ago to share their concerns, as we continue to look for a solution.”Coun Duncan, said:
“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this tragic accident. The safety of the travelling public is our key priority, and we endeavour to make the county’s roads as safe as possible. “We have been working with Julian Smith MP and the police in recent weeks to discuss the potential for lowering the speed limit on a further section of the A61 near Ripon from 60mph to 50mph. "Speed surveys have been carried out and the results are being analysed and any proposal to reduce the speed limit will be subject to full consultation. “Work continues on developing a broader package of improvement measures along this route which we aim to complete in the very near future.”By Thomas Barrett, Local Democracy Reporter Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
Stars of Ripon community celebrated at annual awards event
Harrogate Neighbours golf day raises £1,700
Harrogate district bookshop included in ultimate book-lovers travel guide
'I will hold government's feet to the fire on funding', says Harrogate MP
CCTV appeal after watch stolen from Harrogate gym
Father Christmas set to visit children's ward at Harrogate Hospital
'Cancer does not end even when you are in remission', says Harrogate woman
Woman sentenced for trying to avoid speeding fine near Harrogate
Black History Month event held in Starbeck
Harrogate MP hits out at bus fare cap hike
Leeds Bradford Airport celebrates first easyJet flight to Paris
Harrogate law firm included in two of UK's leading legal guides
Harrogate vet offers advice for dogs scared of fireworks
Ex-England footballer to host event in Harrogate
Harrogate Town to sell Wrexham tickets at Stray Bonfire
Artisan market returns to Knaresborough Castle for final time this year
New Christmas song about Harrogate shooting for number one
Popular après ski dining event returns to Ripon
Ripon opticians hosts Halloween fun to make eye tests less scary
Harrogate Town offer discounted family tickets for Wrexham clash
