POLICE are set to launch a new project to allow residents and visitors in a North Yorkshire seaside town to feel safer in the centre.

In 2019, a series of incidents occurred within Scarborough town centre pedestrian zone including pedestrians being involved road traffic collisions (RTC).

Following consultations with businesses in the local area, general concerns were raised with North Yorkshire Police about motor vehicles using the precinct as a cut-through and as a car park at all times of day by members of the public.

PC Nick Patrick, the Neighbourhood Policing Team Beat Manager for the Town Centre working within the Community Impact Team in Scarborough, spearheaded a project which started with a risk assessment.

Utilising a multi-agency cooperation with Scarborough Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, an action plan was laid out which included an increase to signage, information to the public and further consultation with businesses.

In early 2020, a temporary change to the traffic regulation was made due to Covid-19 which changed the times of the restrictions.

This temporary change was removed earlier this year, allowing the project to continue.

PC Patrick said: “Something needed to be done to make the precinct a safer place. This is not about how many tickets can be issued, I want us to be able to educate drivers to read the signs, to prevent further injury to pedestrians or even worse.”

North Yorkshire County Council has ensured that the signage in the town centre is legal and, with assistance from Scarborough Borough Council, an advice leaflet has been produced.

“We have a leaflet which we are providing to drivers of vehicles which are being found parked or driven in the confines of the pedestrian precinct. If you are unsure where you can drive, check the traffic signs at the start of the precinct. This is where you will notice a change in the road surface," PC Patrick added.

But, this isn’t a total ban, as there are exceptions as access is granted to goods vehicles between 4pm and 11am to load and unload. Utility vehicles have an exemption to the regulation but must adhere to the one-way system which is in place and emergency services also have full right of access at any time

PC Patrick said: “Our local economy is important to us. We are working with the businesses to improve the town centre and I think everyone will agree that safety is paramount.”

You can obtain a copy of the leaflet from SBC Customer Direct on St Nicholas Street or from Scarborough Police Station from Monday July 25.

Police are asking people to consider whether or not their call to '999' is an emeregency, as they could be preventing someone in a serious situation from getting help.