AND still they get it wrong! Thrashing about like trout in the shallows, they tweak a road sign here, seal a road off there, re-time signals, change markings, making policy on the hoof in an attempt to keep Ripon moving. And it's all so unnecessary.
The history of Coltsgate Hill closures tell us that the main additional problems of closure come at Somerset Row traffic lights when traffic backs up along Mallorie Park Drive and up Firby Lane. All that was required to ameliorate this was for Borrage Lane to be opened from west to east to allow traffic from the north-west and west an alternative route away from these lights.

Additionally, some monitoring at the top of Firby Lane might be required to ensure no back-up of traffic with consequent blockage at this junction. All other routes, including traffic out of the square along Westgate, could have remained the same. Opening Borrage Lane east to west will not relieve this problem.

As for the plea to use the bypass, how on earth is traffic which used Coltsgate Hill in the past and is now forced through Somerset Row lights supposed to get to the bypass unless they go across the fields?

The obduracy over the simple solution to all this defies understanding and to date I have heard no arguments in favour of the present, ill thought-out scheme.