New Wolds parking spaces to be created

Councillor Paul Hopton says the new spaces will be used by visitors for years to come

Nearly 60 new car parking spaces are to be created in the Yorkshire Wolds in a bid to stop people parking "inconsiderately".

Raywell, near Cottingham, and Little Wauldby Farm Access Road, just off Swanland Dale, are popular for dog walkers and ramblers to park before walking in places such as Nut Wood.

However, both have suffered from congestion and Rob Kendall, the director of Little Wauldby Farm, said drivers double parking along the single-track access road had "got worse since Covid" with people sometimes parking "willy-nilly" on the grass.

Councillor Paul Hopton said the new spaces were "absolutely going to benefit hundreds if not thousands of people in the years to come."

Mr Kendall said: "I don't mind people [parking near the farm] as long as they respect the countryside."

At Raywell, 17 new parking spaces are being created, and 40 are then due to be put in place along the farm access road.

Funding for the scheme has come from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Hopton, who lives locally and represents the South Hunsley Ward on East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said he worked with fellow councillor Richard Meredith to get the parking approved after noticing congestion issues "for many years".

The access road to Little Wauldby Farm is a single-track lane

Hopton said people double park on both sides of the single-track road near Little Wauldby Farm, which makes it difficult for farming machinery to have access.

"It could actually create a problem for emergency services sometimes. It happens on almost a daily basis where people park inconsiderately.

"This is very much supporting rural tourism and enabling local council taxpayers to access the fantastic countryside we've got here in East Yorkshire," he said.

Work to build 17 rural car parking spaces in Raywell is already under way

Mr Kendall said: "When they double park, I don't think people have the sense to realise it's a farm entrance.

"I think they just think a car can get through and that's alright."

Mr Kendall said he thought the new parking spaces would help, "but as long as they park near enough to the hedge".

"We have 44-ton lorries coming up and there isn't a lot of room," he said.

A council spokesperson said: "This popular countryside spot has seen increased visitor numbers, but the current parking is inadequate.

"The scheme will improve safety, reduce congestion, and protect the verge from damage."

Work has already started to build the new spaces near Raywell Hall, Hopton said.

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