Where the column went

Actually, it wasn't the column that went but the author. The regular Civic Society column in the Ripon Gazette did not appear for the first two weeks of January 2011 as the writer was away lecturing. Now, though, the column will reappear, starting on Friday. It's good to be back - keep reading!

Cabmen's Shelter to go for repair

News today that the Cabmen's Shelter will be taken from the Market Square for repair on Wednesday (16 Dec) and will be returned by the end of February. At last there seems to be some resolution of this sorry saga. Now, we need to see a regular maintenance programme put in place so that it never again gets into such a dreadful state.

EGM APPROVES BOUNDARY CHANGES

At the EGM of the Society last night members voted to accept the change to the constitution that will alter the boundaries of the Society. Our ‘area of benefit’ will now be ‘the city of Ripon and surrounding villages’. Thank you to everyone who gave their views and especially to the members who turned out on a freezing night to vote. We are very grateful.

At the Member’s meeting before the EGM we presented Barrie Price, former President of the Society, with a painting by local artist Alan Matthews of Ripon’s Spa Baths. Barrie retired at the Society’s AGM in November.

TALK FEATURES IN YORKSHIRE POST

The next talk to the Society, by Vice President Maurice Taylor, is featured in today's Yorkshire Post. The article about the talk, on 'Historic Houses around Ripon', is illustrated with pictures of Markenfield Hall and of Norton Conyers. We may need more chairs out on 2 December!

Eric Wright Group celebrates Civic Society Award

You can read about the reaction to the latest award from the Society to the Eric Wright Group, designers and constructors of the new Booth's supermarket complex, on the Group's website; http://www.ericwright.co.uk/news/eric-wright-wins-best-new-building-award-two-years-running/

Society's response to the 'Ripon Vision 2015' proposals

The Society has set out its response to the 'Ripon Vision 2015' proposals. The text of the response is as follows:


RIPON CIVIC SOCIETY’S RESPONSE TO THE ‘RIPON VISION 2015’ PAPER PUBLISHED BY STANLEY MACKINTOSH


Ripon Civic Society believes that there is a pressing need to change the traffic and parking policies for Ripon, and it urges action as soon as possible to achieve this.


In March 2010 Ripon Civic Society published a Policy Statement about traffic management in Ripon. That statement remains the Society’s policy. It encompasses many of the ideas now put forward by Mr Mackintosh in ‘Ripon Vision 2015’.


The Civic Society does not endorse Mr Mackintosh’s plan as a whole, though it acknowledges that many of its elements have a common purpose with our Policy statement and, if implemented, would lead to some of the same ends.


It may be helpful, therefore, if the Civic Society sets outs its points of difference with ‘Ripon Vision 2015’, and offers a different perspective on priorities.

1. 
   The Society does not accept that there is a need for a multi-storey car park behind Sainsbury’s. Ripon does not need huge amounts of additional parking, and what is needed could be achieved by our proposal to extend the car park opposite the hospital in Firby Lane, with an extra deck under it approached from Somerset Row and additional surface-level parking abutting Black Swan Yard.


2. 
   The Society does not accept the need for any extra shopping provision behind Sainsbury’s store. It is appreciated that the suggestion is made as an enabling measure, to provide income, but the Society believes that there would be significant disadvantages in terms both of effect on the commercial heart of the city and on the landscape.


3. 
   The Society believes that there is great value in implementing the first part of the Mackintosh plan, but does not approve of routeing the No 36 bus along Westgate.


4. 
   The Society urges that a priority for any change should be the construction of a new link road from Low Skellgate to Firby Lane, which is the key to unlocking the road system in Ripon. The other link road, from the roundabout by the Bus station to St Marygate is not so urgent, but could be part of a one-way system that would allow Allhallowgate to become one-way and assist in allowing coaches to approach the city centre, drop off passengers and then park elsewhere.
   


5. The Society believes that taxis should not remain in the Square but should be relocated near the bus station.

The Society urges that consideration be given to the purposes and use of the Market Square once it is pedestrianised. While it sees the removal of the traffic as an important part of moving Ripon forward, it will not do just to have the Square as an empty space all the time. That was never the purpose of the Square, and should not be once traffic is removed. The Society will put forward plans for the Square in the near future.

Grammar School talk

In a brief talk to the Upper VI Form at Ripon Grammar School, Ripon Civic Society Chairman David Winpenny told them about the Society and its work, and how important it is for them to be civic-minded wherever their life takes them. They are the future - even more so if the Big Society idea works.