A MUCH-USED part of an East Yorkshire town is set to get a facelift.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council say they are seeking views on a proposal to create additional pedestrian and public seating in Market Place, Pocklington.

The area the council is looking at is the car parking surrounding the Jubilee Monument between Deans Lane and St Peter’s Square, which currently provides eight standard parking bays and one motorcycle bay.

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They say draft design concepts have been produced to illustrate how the space could be used.

This scheme would be funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The council would like to know what people think of these concepts and if they would contribute to their future enjoyment of the town centre.

Vehicle access to businesses and St Peter’s Square would be maintained, whilst the designs also include flexibility to support weekly market and town centre events. Pedestrian safety, height restrictions, visibility for vehicles, and the use of suitable materials within the conservation area will all need to be taken into consideration in any final design.

The council says that results from recent parking audits in Pocklington showed that the space could be pedestrianised with 'minimal impact on parking movement and provision'.

The council is planning carriageway improvement works for early 2025 in Pocklington town centre, and these present an opportunity to consider longstanding issues and consider an alternative use for public spaces.

The scope of these carriageway improvements will include Market Place, Market Street, Union Street, Railway Street, West Green and The Mile.

The council says that the loss of the identified parking bays in Market Place could be alleviated with the introduction of restrictions in West Green car park. Parking audits have shown that there is a low turnover of spaces in this car park to support the town centre, with many bays occupied by the same vehicle for six hours or more during a standard Monday to Friday working week.

Councillor Paul West, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Please do share with us your opinion on this proposal, how it could be shaped and if you think this would be of benefit to Pocklington.

"The proposal will only proceed if it receives majority support. The planned carriageway improvement works will be unaffected by the outcome of this survey.”

The council’s local growth team will be visiting town centre businesses over the coming weeks, supported by attendance at the market on Tuesday, April 2 and the Pocklington Town Council Annual Town Meeting on Wednesday, April 17. Paper copies of the survey are also available from, and can be returned to, the Pocklington Town Council Offices.

The survey can be accessed at: https://eastridingcommunities.commonplace.is/

This survey will close on Monday, May 6.