THERE is good news this week for shoppers and workers in Ripon city centre as it is announced that alternative car parking facilities will be in place during major redevelopment work on West of the Market Place.

This really is the last part of a major jigsaw to secure a revival of Ripon's fortunes

Julian Sturdy - Harrogate Borough Council

Harrogate Borough Council has agreed in principal with landowners in the city to replace car parking spaces that will be lost during major construction works to re-develop West of the Market Place with alternate spaces within comfortable walking distance from the city centre.

Part of the planning application for the £15m scheme to create a new supermarket and four shop units, as well as 21 apartments and 180 space car park stipulates that the developers retain 50 short stay parking spaces during construction works.

The Council has found space for 140 and will be funding works for two of the landowners concerned who will get their land back in a better condition than it is now.

Ripon Rugby Club has enough tarmac surfaced car parking for 60 cars, but work is needed at Ripon City Football Club and Bethel Church which will eventually provide for 80 spaces between them.

It is also envisaged that the southern side of the Market Place will be used for short stay parking, when there are no special events being staged. This will be introduced for a temporary period only during construction of the new development. Once the work is complete, the current situation will be restored.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, Councillor Julian Sturdy, is set to approve funding of £60,000 to pay for leasing of land and improvement works. He said: "This really is the last part of a major jigsaw to secure a revival of Ripon's fortunes. We know parking is paramount to the city's vitality which is why we have been searching for replacement parking during this exciting new development. But with a tight city centre like Ripon it hasn't been easy.

"I am delighted these landowners have agreed to help out. We have been working with the Ripon Area Business Association who is very supportive of our proposals. They also suggested that we concentrated on finding spaces for city workers so as to leave as much turnover of parking in the city centre for shoppers. Of course, we agreed with this and I think these proposals will help achieve it. These proposals will be funded via on-street parking income spread across the district."