A report detailing the next phases of the Active Travel Programme was approved by City of York Council’s Executive in November
Over £2m worth of investment in walking and cycling infrastructure is proposed to take place – some schemes which are not funded at the moment will be developed for future funding bids.
Investment in a new inner ring road crossing near St George’s Field and safety measures on Skeldergate are being recommended for approval at a meeting next week.
Currently, cyclists and pedestrians have no safe and direct way of crossing Tower Street from St George’s car park. Plans are currently in place to develop the Castle Mills area around the museum, and to develop St George’s Field Car Park as part of the Castle Gateway project, rendering the need for a crossing more significant.
As part of this scheme, a new toucan crossing could be installed (St George’s Field Crossing) on Tower Street, which will be co-ordinated with the Castle Gateway development. The design will initially provide a pedestrian crossing until the planned cycle route is available when it will be upgraded to a toucan crossing.
Whilst the Skeldergate scheme will see a number of safety measures introduced to improve safety, amenity and accessibility for cyclists along this route.
Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport, said: “Walking and cycling are healthy and efficient transport options that help to reduce congestion for those who need to use a vehicle.
“Whilst it’s disappointing that we can’t afford to progress all of the schemes we had initially outlined in our ambitious active travel programme, we are investing £2m in infrastructure much of which is 1.2m of CYC funding complementing the funding from Active Travel England. These projects will make it easier and more attractive for residents to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle safely conveniently around the city.
“We will also be using the groundwork already undertaken to identify schemes and feasibility work into funding bids of what we hope will be Phase 2.”
The council is also encouraging residents and businesses to have their say on Hospital Fields Road cycle improvements consultation.
The proposals including the installation of segregated cycle lanes along Hospital Fields Road, to separate cyclists from the carriageway.
The aim of the scheme is to improve the safety and usability for cyclists by providing segregated cycle lanes in the eastbound direction.
Take part in the Hospital Fields Road improvements consultation The consultation closes Monday 19 December at 5pm.
The Active Travel Programme is part of the council’s overall Transport Capital Programme and highlights upcoming projects and proposed schemes.
This report will be considered by a decision session meeting on Tuesday 13 December. To read the report, or find out more about the meeting visit here
The meeting will be webcast, or watched back again, at: https://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts
The revised list of projects, agreed at Executive on 22 Novmeber, to progress in phase one.
Funding will be prioritised for Phase One. The remaining schemes will be delivered if further funding becomes available under Phase Two.
Phase one scheme include:
Phase 1 schemes funded by City of York Council:
- Hospital Fields Road Cycle Improvements
- Skeldergate - Cycle Improvements at Build-outs
- Manor Lane/ Shipton Road Improvements
- City Centre North-South Cycle Route
- City Centre Bridges
Phase 1 schemes funded by the Department for Transport/Active Travel England:
- City Centre Accessibility: St George's Field Crossing
- A19 Shipton Road Cycle Route pinch points
- People Streets (Ostman Road)
- City Centre Cycle Parking Improvements
- People Streets at Clifton Green Primary
- People Streets at Badger Hill Primary
- University East-West Campus Link
As well as laying out a revised programme of works, the report also identifies schemes which will be paused pending the possibility of future funding bids. These include:
Phase 2 schemes:
- A19 Shipton Road Cycle Route Full Corridor
- A1237 Bridge Scheme
- Orbital Cycle Route at Lawrence St / James St
- Wheldrake / Heslington Path
- Acomb Road Scheme
- Fishergate Gyratory Ped and Cycle Scheme
- Fulford Road / Frederick House
- Rougier St / Tanners Moat Gap
- Chocolate Works Riverside Path
- Tang hall Lane / Foss Islands Path
This report was considered by the council’s Executive at a meeting on Tuesday 22 November. To read the report, or find out more about the meeting visit here
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