News on Your Driffield. Your Future.

During the week commencing 3 October, residents of Driffield will see the delivery of a new seating area in Middle Street South as part of an 18-month trial.

The seating, called a parklet, is an attractive temporary wooden platform and includes fixed seating, including wheelchair access and space for planting. The platform will take two parking spaces, situated between Wilko and Lockwood Street, to provide further much-desired dwell and amenity space.

During the public engagement, which was conducted both online through the Commonplace website and at the weekly market, over 400 responses were received with over 75% of respondents being either happy or satisfied with the proposed installation, and 63% stating that they would spend more time in the area if a parklet was installed.

The initial proposal was for a smaller structure taking up one parking space; however due to feedback from residents a larger parklet has been procured by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which also reflects the preferred ‘Al Fresco’ style.

The parklet will be funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which is part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda to boost ‘pride in place’. Installation was originally planned for July prior to the Yorkshire Day weekend but has had to be delayed due to issues in the supply chain with both manufacture and delivery.

Residents also cited concerns regarding lack of car parking space in the town centre. As a result, a series of audits were conducted in January and July on a Saturday, Monday and Thursday to monitor usage and occupancy. Peak periods were between 10am and 2pm. Occupancy was an average of 73.5% in January and 67.9% in July on this stretch of Middle Street South. Overall, average town centre parking occupancy between 8am to 4pm was 55.6% in January and 60.6% in July 2022, which suggests there is capacity to accommodate the parklet installation.

The Driffield Town Centre Action Plan, which was produced in January 2021, brought together expert analysis and local business, stakeholder and shopper engagement to identify a range of recommendations to help improve the performance, appeal and growth of Driffield town centre.

Public realm improvements were the most popular long-term issue, cited by 55% of respondents in stakeholder engagement conducted by the Retail Group. Improvements in Market Place and an increased events calendar, including the Yorkshire Day weekend and the return of an expanded events profile at Driffield Showground have been delivered in response to this feedback.

The linear nature of Driffield town centre limits options to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. However, this scheme, along with the improved public seating in Market Place have been designed to create more pedestrian-friendly areas for residents.

The parklet scheme, which is the first in the East Riding, will be implemented as a trial using an 18-month experimental Traffic Regulation Order with a full public consultation to be undertaken whilst the parklet is in place. As part of this work and in response to feedback from residents, parking restrictions on Middle Street North will be increased from 1 to 2 hours to support businesses in this area of town.

Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for economic investment, growth and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This scheme has been put in place to attract visitors to Driffield and keep them in the town for longer. A lot of engagement has already taken place to gather residents’ views on this proposal with over 400 responses.

“Commonplace has proved to be a really valuable platform for the residents in Driffield to engage with us on the issues which matter most to them in the town. Resident feedback suggested a preference for an ‘Al Fresco’ style seating option, and we hope this 18-month trial is another success for the town.”

Cllr Mark Blakeston, Mayor of Driffield said “I think this is another good example of Driffield Town Council working closely with ERYC to bring forward and trial new ideas designed to help our high street evolve and prosper, especially in these challenging times. On the back of the Umbrella Plaza success, installation of additional seating, free public Wi-Fi, and street entertainment, we hope this trial will prove beneficial to businesses, visitors and residents in this area of Middle Street South.”

Claire Binnington, Town Clerk, commented “We are looking forward to the installation of the parklet and have decided to press ahead with it despite the onset of autumn. Evidence has shown from Umbrella Plaza that the people of Driffield are a hardy bunch, who still enjoy a sandwich and a coffee whatever the weather.”

Thank you to everybody that has engaged with Driffield Commonplace to date. Please sign up to be notified of project news and how to have your say on future projects

https://driffield.commonplace.is/