Saltburn residents are to be consulted on proposed transportation improvements within the town.
As visitor numbers grow year on year, members of the Saltburn community have called for highway and parking improvements, in order to ease congestion and prevent overspill parking into residential areas of the town.
The proposed transportation strategy will include a number of suggestions for improving flow, safety and access for all around the town and will form just one part of a much wider initiative for Saltburn's future.
The plans are designed to, first and foremost, take care of the needs of its residents and businesses, while also safely accommodating a growing number of visitors – making the well-loved beauty spot an even more enjoyable experience for everyone.
As a result, the Council have commissioned traffic consultants Capita, who will shortly be carrying out an initial public consultation, before taking forward suggestions and recommendations to a second, statutory consultation.
Some of the plans for consideration will include:
- Increasing number of formalised parking bays on Marine Parade;
- Introduction of pay and display car parking, alongside residents-only car parking on Marine Parade;
- Residents only zones in areas affected by visitor parking, such as the Jewel streets;
- Improved parking facilities with expanded capacity at Cat Nab car park, including provision for motorhomes;
- Introduction of electric vehicle charging points at suitable parking locations within the town;
- Planning application for new car parking facility at the former pumping station site;
- Designated parking for train users.
Alongside modifications to the town's parking provision, residents will be consulted on ideas such as:
- Improved pedestrian and cycling access in busy areas;
- Revision of speed limits in parts of the town;
- Improvements to outdoor spaces which could be licenced;
- Feasibility of a Park and Ride system.
Capita will be carrying out surveys in the town and collecting data for analysis to inform the recommendations, including car parking data analysis, count surveys, safety and access audits and comparisons with other coastal visitor destination neighbours such as Scarborough and Whitby.
Councillor Julie Craig, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:
“There are a number of positive things in the pipeline for Saltburn, but first, we must ensure that residents and local businesses are consulted and prioritised while we ensure we can safely accommodate the increasing numbers of visitors.
“We hope residents and local businesses will take the opportunity to engage in this process positively. We know how important Saltburn is to its community, and really want to make this work for everyone involved."