IN JUST one week, more than 1,000 people in Wensleydale have signed a petition totally opposing any compulsory parking charges in Leyburn's three squares.

This followed a stormy meeting at Thornborough Hall last week when the county council and its consultants, Mouchel Parkman, outlined their proposed traffic management strategy for Leyburn.

More than 100 people attended the meeting and several said the questionnaire produced by Mouchel Parkman was poorly worded. It was felt the option of funding short-term disc parking in the town's squares through sponsorship should have been included.

Staff at the Bolton Arms and Campbell's supermarket took the lead in collecting signatures for the petition because they were so concerned about the impact on the town if the county council accepted some of the options in the traffic management strategy.

One visitor from the Wirral wrote on the petition: "Please don't change this lovely town".

Many at the meeting agreed.

The mayor, Coun Ian Barker, this week emphasised the concerns of many residents that the decisions would be made according to computer analysis rather than by listening to the electorate.

"There should be more consultation," he said. "It is their town and they should be consulted."

Leyburn, as a market town, serves both mid Wensleydale and Coverdale, with many Dales folk shopping there because there is free car parking in the centre.

"This is a small thriving community," Coun Barker commented. "Leyburn is doing pretty well at present and we don't want to ruin it."

For a report about the meeting see page ...3