Sale of historic police number plate gives £350,000 to improve road safety across North Yorkshire

The AJ1 numberplate was the first used in the North Riding of Yorkshire, by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Julia Mulligan decided, along with North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lisa Winward, that the AJ1 mark was better invested in supporting communities - and it was sold commercially at auction in 2019.

Part of the money raised invested in improving the Memorial Garden at North Yorkshire Police headquarters and the remainder put into the new, one-off AJ1 Fund.

Communities, Parish and Town Councils were invited to put forward projects which focused on improving road safety for children and young people, cyclists, motorcyclists and older road users.

The panel have now awarded the £190,000 from the AJ1 Fund, and – due to the demand and standard of the bids – an additional £165,000 from other community funds was added meaning that £355,228.36 is to be invested in projects including:

* £20,000 for the Glaisdale Footpath Project

* £6,000 road safety signs, East Ayton Parish Council and Brompton-by-Sawdon Parish Council

* £2,980 long lane-quiet lane, Seamer Parish Council

* £3,800 front of school pedestrian safety barriers at George Pindar School

* £2,131 Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), Burniston Parish Council

* £2,147 AS Project, Newby and Scalby Parish Council

* £2,914 Lythe and Sandsend Road Safety for Life, Lythe Parish Council

* £3,000 Traffic Speed Reduction in Helmsley, Helmsley Town Council

* £3,550 Road Safety Project York Road, Malton, for Malton Town Council

* £2,408 Road Safety Project, Scarborough Road, Norton, Norton-On-Derwent Town Council

* £1,200 Safe Pedestrian Path, Buttercrambe Community Group

* £1,900 Continuing to reduce speeding in our Village,Weaverthorpe Parish Council

* £20,000 Safe Cycle Route Section A, Kirkbymoorside Town Council in partnership with Ryedale Cycle Forum

* £4,000 Road Safety Shelter Art Project, Highfield Road, Malton, Malton Town Council

* £50 Traffic Calming Project, Whitwell with Crambe Parish Council

* £3,547 Great and Little Barugh Road Safety Improvements, Great and Little Barugh Parish Council

* £5,600 Swinton Path for Everyone; part of the Hovingham-Malton Path for Everyone, Malton and Norton Area Partnership

Julia Mulligan said: "Although the AJ1 numberplate will always have a historical connection to North Yorkshire Police, the impact these schemes will have confirms why it was right to use the value of the registration mark to make a real impact on people’s lives.

“These projects will improve lives - and I am sure they will also save lives - by making our roads and the communities they pass through safer for people however they use them.”

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