Whitby consultation on town centre changes launched

The proposals would see the road layout around Whitby's swing bridge altered

A consultation on £2.3m plans to regenerate part of Whitby town centre has been launched.

The proposals would see the road layout around the seaside town's swing bridge changed to create wider pavements, more seating and small park areas.

New traffic signals would also be installed at the Spital Bridge, Larpool Lane and A171 junction, under North Yorkshire Council's plans.

Councillor Neil Swannick said the changes would be "more user-friendly".

The roundabout at the junction of Station Square, Langborne Road and New Quay Road would be removed

Under the plans, the roundabout and traffic islands at the junction of Station Square, Langborne Road and New Quay Road, near Trenchers, would be removed.

A new seating area would be created on the east side of the swing bridge, near the Bridgender sculpture, where people could sit to wait to cross the bridge.

The former car park at Tin Ghaut, next to Grape Lane, would be turned into a small park with an archway and views across the harbour.

A new park area, accessed through an archway, would be created off Grape Lane under the plans

Mr Swannick said the planned changes to the road layout "will be safer and reflects changing priorities".

If the proposals are approved, work could start in late 2024 and would be due to be completed by the middle of 2025, a council spokesperson said.

A separate scheme to waterproof and resurface the swing bridge is scheduled to begin in late November.

Consultations will take place at a later date on possible changes to on-street parking, on-street loading and when the swing bridge would be closed to traffic, the council said.

The swing bridge spans 75ft and was built in 1908