Agenda item

The Senior Project Manager then provided an update on the Tadcaster Road Improvement Scheme, the aim of which was to increase safety for all road users (particularly pedestrians, cyclists and those using public transport).  She pointed out the location plan of the scheme which would be funded by the Department for Transport (£5 million) and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (£1.42 million).  Due to the complexity of the scheme, work would be carried out in phases and would necessitate some lane closures and temporary traffic lights. Jackson had been contracted to carry out the improvements and work had already begun. 

The Senior Project Manager then went through the timeline.

Timeline

January 2023

Setting up of site compounds (Sim Balk Lane/Knavesmire). 

Removal of selected central islands between Holgate Road and Moor Lane.

Drainage and pavement works surveys.

February to June 2023

Installation of new drainage, central islands and pedestrian crossings.

July to September 2023

Traffic island reinstatement and surfacing work.

Other improvements included street lighting, wider cycle lanes and bus priority technology. Work would be carried out Monday – Friday 07:30 – 18:00 (but not on race days).  The situation would be closely monitored as there was an overriding aim to minimise any disruption (particularly as other road works were being carried out elsewhere in the city).

The Senior Project Manager emphasised the importance of community engagement and confirmed that updates would be provided through regular drop-in sessions (3000 letters had already been sent), social media, newsletters and online.  A Public Liaison Officer had been appointed to liaise with residents and businesses and assist with any queries or concerns.  Contact details (email and internet links) were available at the meeting.

Residents were then invited to ask questions or make any comments.

A resident wanted to know whether the potholes in Blossom Street would be resurfaced as part of the work.  The Senior Project Manager advised that resurfacing would start just before the Holgate Road junction.

A resident asked what improvements would be made for cyclists along Tadcaster Road.  The Senior Project Manager confirmed that there would be a continuous on the road cycle path from the junction of Holgate Road all the way to York College.  Light segregations units would also be included.  She highlighted the focus on those using active or sustainable methods of transport (such as walking, cycling and the use of public transport) in an attempt to reduce congestion.

A resident wondered whether any provision had been made to monitor motorists taking short cuts.  The Senior Project Manager advised that it was not part of their remit to monitor driver behaviour.

Councillor Crawshaw added that councillors were aware of the potential impact of congestion and disruption on residents and stressed the importance of identifying and managing such situations in a timely manner.

A resident asked whether a subway or bridge had been considered near York College which tended to become congested when students were arriving/leaving.  The Senior Project Manager confirmed that these had been raised previously but the cost had been too prohibitive. 

The Major Project Manager added that this did not preclude the aspiration for a subway in the future.

A resident enquired as to how people could be incentivised to use public transport when there were several different bus companies in operation.  Issues of affordability as well as the idea of a universal bus pass were also raised.  The Senior Project Manager said that such concerns had been flagged up at previous drop-in sessions.  Although public transport provision was beyond the Major Projects remit, there was a focus from the Council  to improve existing services despite funding constraints.  She informed residents that some bus shelters would be upgraded and reiterated that the new scheme would introduce bus priority technology. 

Councillor Crawshaw added that different models of bus operations would be considered in the future and pointed out the scheme in Manchester where all the buses had been brought under local control.

A resident pointed out some incidents of motorists driving the wrong way on Knavesmire Road. The lack of clear signage (particularly to the racecourse) and general obstruction caused by road works were considered to be contributory factors.  Concerns were also raised at the number of coaches and mobile homes parked along Knavesmire Road as well as the lack of adequate provision for pedestrians and cyclists near the Chocolate Works Care Home.  The Senior Project Manager advised that she would flag this up with the site team. 

Councillor Crawshaw also added that the Traffic Management Plan for the next Race Day was being finalised so he would look into the matter.

Action:  To flag up lack of clear signage, obstruction caused by roadworks, parking of large vehicles on Knavesmire Road and road safety concerns near the Chocolate Works Care Home.  (Melanie Farnham/Councillor Crawshaw)

A resident wanted to know whether the contractors would landscape areas that had been dug up during drainage installation.  The Major Project Manager gave assurances that contractors would make good any work carried out.  In addition, he pointed out that an attenuation facility had been created under the Knavesmire in order to prevent flooding in the area.

A resident asked whether there would be any way of monitoring the speed of traffic along Tadcaster Road (particularly in relation to cycle safety).  The Senior Project Manager’s response was that pedestrian crossings tended to slow traffic.  She added that the provision of coloured surfacing for cycle lanes, wider cycle lanes, light segregations units and a cycle bypass (near the Slingsby Grove junction) would also improve cycle safety.

A resident highlighted the potential dangers of cyclists having to join the main traffic lane when the cycle markings ended at junctions as well as the tendency for some motorists to veer into cycle lanes.  The Major Project Manager advised that it was all about getting the right balance and that greater cross-sectional areas created for cyclists would be at the expense of pedestrian crossings. 

Councillors wondered whether West Yorkshire Combined Authority would be interested to receive feedback once the improvements had been completed.  The suggestion of an automatic cycle counter was also raised.  The Senior Project Manager advised that monitoring and evaluation were considered to be very important aspects of the scheme.  She also advised that an automatic cycle counter had not been part of their remit.

Councillors also wanted to know where the improvements would start and finish and how much of it would be segregated.  The Senior Project Manager referred back to the route plan which began just before the Holgate Road junction and finished near the A64 and confirmed that most of the route would be segregated. 

The Major Project Manager added that mandatory cycle lanes (unbroken white line) would form a significant part of the cycle route as well as advisory cycle lanes (white dashed line).