For his second monthly column Cllr George Jabbour, North Yorkshire Councillor for Helmsley & Sinnington gives an update on locality funding.

Six projects received funding through the Council’s locality budget programme in the Helmsley and Sinnington division during the first year after the last local elections.

Each project obtained an amount between £300 and £5,000 as part of the total available budget of £10,000 for every area in North Yorkshire.

As published by the Gazette & Herald, green measures gained the lion's share of the Helmsley and Sinnington division's locality budget.

These include a vehicle activated speed sign on the A170.

Drivers travelling on the A170 from Helmsley and going into Beadlam and Nawton are now greeted by a new Vehicle Activated Sign.

Because of the location of the parishes of Beadlam and Nawton on a major A road that connects Thirsk, Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Pickering and Scarborough, there is a lot of traffic that passes by the villages at a high speed.

The new sign will warn drivers if they exceed the speed limit by displaying the words ‘SLOW DOWN’ and a reminder that they are in a 30 miles per hour zone.

A community speed watch scheme.

Councillor Jabbour recommended funding to be allocated to Ryedale Community Transport to launch the Helmsley Hopper. This on-demand service, which is free to use for bus pass holders, connects Nunnington, Harome, Helmsley, Sproxton, Ampleforth, Oswaldkirk and Malton.

bus service between Helmsley and Malton via a number of villages

Ryedale Community Transport (RCT) has launched of a new Ryedale Rover Service called ‘The Helmsley Hopper.’

This is part of a five-year project to develop Dial and Ride services to villages in the Ryedale area and is supported with funding through the National Lottery Community Fund.

The Helmsley Hopper addresses the needs of residents of Helmsley and surrounding villages who want to travel to Malton for shopping or other appointments.

Until now there has been no direct service available so it was a difficult trip for people who do not have their own transport.

The new service operates on Tuesdays and Fridays, travelling via Nunnington, Harome, Helmsley, Sproxton, Ampleforth and Oswaldkirk to Malton.

It is an on-demand service which requires customers to register in advance to book a seat.

Councillor George Jabbour said: “Last year, I updated the readers of the Gazette & Herald on the key theme of the allocation of the Helmsley and Sinnington division’s locality budget. I also promised to keep you informed.

“Our diligent local paper has already reported on a number of projects.

“The remaining ones that the locality budget contributed to were resident-led initiatives in two parishes that I represent.

“In Sproxton, local people have been working hard to improve the village hall and make it more accessible, particularly for individuals with reduced mobility or who use wheelchairs or walking aids.

“In Oswaldkirk, an equally-dedicated community wished to restore the traditional village signs to enhance the visual appeal of this scenic place and its stunning landscape.

“I was pleased to make recommendations to support both worthwhile causes through the locality budget.”