MARKET day road closures have split opinion in a town, as calls grow to make them permanent with only two weeks to go before they are due to end.

Northallerton High Street was originally closed to traffic in June last year on Wednesday and Saturday market days to give shoppers and traders more space during the pandemic. But North Yorkshire County Council highways department say it is now time to lift the ban and plan to reopen the road from September 30.

Hambleton Council say it has received positive feedback about the High Street experience on market days since it has been closed to traffic, with comments that it is a pleasant experience for shoppers, with a relaxed vibe and a sense of space.

Gary Lewis, who runs Betterdaze record shop in Zetland Street, is calling for the road closures to be made permanent. He said: "It takes on a much more open, safer feel. Families literally stand in the middle of the road listening to music and asking for requests.

"It's a completely different atmosphere and it is a unique selling point for the town, there is no other market town that closes the road off. The overall improvement is worth it. Everybody I speak to says it is so much better.

"The loss of a few parking spaces is not an issue – there are spaces behind the town centre. I can't see any point in going back."

But there have been protests about traffic problems and disruption of deliveries for businesses.

Northallerton BID, which represents more than 200 businesses in the town, said it is keen to carry out a new survey. "The BID supported the market day road closures last year to create a safe environment for shoppers in the wake of the global pandemic," said a spokesperson. "Most businesses surveyed by us in March 2021 agreed they had succeeded in this respect.

"We are conscious that the Government may wish to strengthen social distancing measures this autumn and we will be conducting a new survey to refresh business opinions on whether the closures should continue."

Mayor Councillor Phil Eames added: "With respect to permanent closure or partial closure of the High Street on market days, my personal view is that Northallerton Town Council would welcome further consideration of the benefits and disadvantages to businesses, residents and visitors and will play a full part in this process."

The county council's area highways manager, Jayne Charlton said: "The temporary closure of Northallerton High Street was introduced to enable the market to continue to operate under social distancing measures imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Those restrictions have been relaxed and all restrictions were removed in August.

"We believe it is the right time to cease the closure as over recent months traffic levels have been increasing back to the same levels prior to the pandemic, which is resulting in significant congestion in other parts of the town. In addition, extensive utility works will take place on Boroughbridge Road during October, requiring a closure and one-way system."