Objections:

Hello Michael, in response to your article in "InTouch" regarding the 20mph speed limit in Bishopthorpe I must say that I haven' noticed any real change in drivers keeping to the 20mph limit. I am not in favour of the limit throughout the village and think we should return to the limits prior to the trial. If we adhere to the Highway Code we should drive to conditions of the road, traffic and other users at the time of passage.

If the speed limits are going to adhered to then some form of monitoring needs to be installed.

I received a newsletter through my letterbox from you and I spotted you are seeking views on the 20mph limit being trialled in Bishopthorpe. I can’t attend the ward meeting tomorrow so I thought I would drop you an email to share my experiences with you.

Since the limit got extended through the village I have never had so many negative encounters with other road users. Tailgating is common and I have been overtaken dangerously a number of times as zoom around me and then other cars going at 20mph on sim bull lane.

Notably when we had a mix of 20 and 30mph I never experienced such threatening driving. Very few cars seem to stick to the 20 mph of which taxis seem to be particularly bad.

Cars entering the village from the direction of copmanthorpe (I live on bridge rd) have always sped into the village not reducing to 30 and they still speed into the village not going at 20. The flashing sign reminding people to go at 30 mph worked better at reducing speeds than a blanket limit at 20.

Overall I am not in support of keeping the 20mph but would prefer a mixed approach again. Allowing drivers to use their judgement of how fast to drive up to 30 mph or up to 20mph near schools and on Main Street/sim bulk lane.

Sorry I won’t be here on Nov 11th but just wanted to give my view on the subject matter!

I live in Acaster Malbis and am always driving through Bishopthorpe- I do find that the 20mph limit is a good idea but a bit of a struggle to keep to 20 going up the hill and over past Brunswick Garden Centre!

I’ve found a lot of people certainly don’t adhere to the new limit coming down into Bish! I did find the old 30 limit was ok as the ‘sleeping policemen’ made you slow down anyway. Lastly, always checking your speed isn’t over 20 does take your mind away a bit from looking at the road ahead!

Well that’s what I wanted to say so hope you have a good meeting on the 11th.

I find it very disconcerting on Acaster Lane when vehicles are on the end of my bumper , in some cases vehicles overtake me .

Having spoken to residents on Acaster Lane , the opinion is that coming from the bridge end towards the village , vehicles are travelling at excessive speed .

The signs are relative small in size and may not catch the motorists attention as well as they are intended

I think that the new 20 mph speed limit extends rather further than it needs to, and the sudden reductions from 60 or 40 to 20 are very hard to comply with! Visitors to the village have said that they find this hard, too.

I think that Acaster Lane could remain at 30. Visibility is good at the southern end and, at the busier end, there are always plenty of parked cars to make going fast impossible anyway. 20 may be more sensible for the more minor roads, but, again, it's not that easy to go very fast anyway except on the very straight roads.

I do think it's a good idea to have lowered the speed limit near the palace as the road is narrow there and so is the pavement. Often people have to step into the road to pass people walking the other way. Perhaps it would be good to have a 30 mph zone past the crematorium where there are lots of cars turning in and out all day so that people can gradually reduce to 20.

On Sim Balk Lane I think it would be sensible to reinstate the 30 zone, again to give people more time to slow down to 20 by the time they get to Church Lane. I don't think the whole of Church Lane needs to be 20, but, if it's 20 at each end it seems sensible to keep it all at 20 to keep costs down.

I am writing to ask for thought to be given to modifying the speed limits in Bishopthorpe at the end of the experimental period.

The 20mph limit makes sense on Main Street (which is usually congested anyway) and in the side roads. However, it is not working on some of the major roads — in fact it can be counter-productive. I have sometimes been 'tailgated' and subject to dangerously aggressive manoeuvres by other drivers not prepared to keep to the 20mph limit on the outer roads which have more of a rural feel to them. In this respect the situation is quite different from the sensible 20mph limit on Bishopthorpe Road in the South Bank area.

In addition it is clear that buses and taxis are not keeping to the limits on the main roads as they are now.

In particular, then, I suggest that in Acaster Lane, and Bishopthorpe Road say from the Crematorium to the junction with Church Lane, returning to a 30mph limit would be sensible, still safe, and less likely to provoke aggression against those who are keeping to the limit.

After six months I can't see this antisocial and dangerous behaviour changing without some enforcement. Perhaps the frequent and varied positioning of a camera van which I'm sure would pay for itself in the fines collected.

In particular Bishopthorpe Road/Church Lane/Sim Balk Lane is a 'rat run' in and out of the city used by all types of vehicles including many large lorries.

I do hope something can be done for the benefit of all the community and that the original aim of the 20 mph limit succeeds.

Thank you for your new sheet delivered to Acaster Malbis, where I am a resident. I cannot attend your surgery as I go to choral practice on a Monday.

When I saw your question regarding the above as its headline, I just had to write a note to vent my frustration at it !

I can see the point of a 20 mph near the schools and along the main street near the shops and pubs where there is an increase in pedestrian traffic, but why, oh why does there have to be a 20 mph limit on the other sections of the main thoroughfares through the village, coming in from the Cemetery, down Appleton Road (after the Junior school) , along Sim Balk Lane (until it gets to the School) and down Acaster Lane. It just brings the traffic to a crawl - is that better for the environment ? I have a hybrid car so when travelling at either 20 or 30, I am using the EV status, so it makes no difference environmentally, just cheeses me off that it makes it easier to fine me for speeding ! I set my speed limiter when I remember. 30 mph is easy to adhere to but I find 20 mph very difficult.

I would love to see the limits return to the former arrangements.

Regarding the trial of the 20 mph which was previously 30, as a resident on the Main Street I’d like to voice my objection to it remaining at 20. The zones are outside the school areas as well as built up housing. There is only footpaths generally on one side. In my 20 plus years I generally experience people adhering to the 30 which also allows a sensible reduction in speed from the 40 then eventually 20 into the village / school areas. Since it’s been 20 I experience most people continuing with 30 as it was and gradually reducing to the 20. So moving from 40 to 20 just doesn’t work nor needed. I’ve asked and received no evidence of it previously being a problem. I recommend the 30 speed tracking signs be maintained as I’ve certainly noticed the effectiveness of these to remind people if they are tracking over 30.

I largely support the 20mph trial in Bishopthorpe, but feel that it is extended over too large an area and this appears to affect compliance. The stretches in and out of the village are far too long, especially from the Crem to the village sign.

As a resident of Bishopthorpe for 30 years we would like to strongly disagree with the 20mph speed limit which has been put in place. I agree with it round the schools and library area but not anywhere else in the village. We are against the additional cost to taxpayers which is totally not needed.

I feel the 20mph is very unnecessary on all approaches in to the village. They were fine as they were at 30mph. I feel 20mph throughout the rest of the village, especially near the schools and shop, is fine and Jews the village safe.

I feel this is totally unnecessary. Many of the roads are not busy with vehicles or pedestrians. Also numerous roads only have properties on one side of the road and no other entries or exits opposite, therefore no need for pedestrians, or cyclists to actually cross the road. Many residential areas also have self limiting speed due to stopping and starting etc negotiating parked cars on narrower roads. Travelling at 20 mph requires concentration, (I am aware that all driving requires concentration of course) watching the speedometer takes up much of the concentration whilst driving. My car has cruise control but not below 28mph. I am not aware of any serious accidents in the village caused by speeding since moving to the area more than 45 years ago. The historical limit of course near the primary schools is justified. Busy over a short space of time during school days. The rest of the village does not have the footfall or indeed traffic that causes issues. Limits and road humps require varying speeds acceleration and braking, causing more fuel use and inefficiency. A main point is that some vehicles are not easily able to travel at 20mph in a more fuel efficient gear. Motor bikes for example could cause more noise whilst having to use an inefficient gear. I reiterate that close to schools, limits are justified but village wide is not the way to achieve safety. I have been driving more than 50 years and have a class 1 HGV (LGV) licence.

I am writing with my opinion on the 20mph in Bishopthorpe village. While i support the implementation of a 20mph around schools and in built up areas there is no need for the 20mph on the stretch of Bishopthorpe Road between the crematorium and the junction with Church Lane. Travelling at 40mph to reduce to 20mph could be dangerous and I suggest a 30mph buffer on that stretch reducing to 20mph at the junction of Church Lane.

I lived in Bishopthorpe from birth until 2015, now living in Copmanthorpe but visiting my parents in Bishopthorpe most days. I also work in town. This means I frequently drive the entirety of the village and have done for many years. The 20mph blanket is infuriating. There is much to say on the issue: - It devalues the 20mph in key areas. It is essential around the schools and down Main Street (where it is hard to do 20mph at peak times anyway). Having a blanket slow speed everywhere causes frustration and I have seen many vehicles now ignoring the actual 20 zones. According to the government website, councils have been reminded to reserve 20mph for these areas with it stating "separately, councils have received strengthened guidance on setting 20mph speed limits, reminding them to reserve them for sensible and appropriate areas only – such as outside schools – and with safety and local support at the heart of the decision”. - On the above point about sensible and appropriate areas, there are a number of areas where it is not either of these. Acaster Lane is so wide, there is such a huge grass verge, and the visibility is excellent, that I can’t see any reason why this should be 20mph. As a parent, I have no concerns about vehicles driving at 30mph while I walk with my children on the path. As a competent driver, I am aware of my surroundings and find this a very straightforward road to drive. It is, again, infuriating having to go so slowly on what is often a virtually deserted road. There could be an argument to extend the 20mph from Main Street up to the small shop area on Acaster Lane, given the unpleasant Ferry Lane junction, but this is absolutely where it should stop. Similarly, abruptly changing from 40 to 20 upon entering the village at both Sim Balk Lane and Bishopthorpe Road is wholly unnecessary. The 30mph areas on both allowed you to gradually reduce speed before the 20mph zones, and worked very well. Coming from 60mph to 20mph from Appleton Road is equally unnecessary. - The small residential streets are so short, so congested with parked cars, and so full of pot holes that you can’t even do 20mph in most areas. It seems crazy to spend money on signage, when you could fix the roads instead. - There have been studies that slower speeds impact on work productivity as people arrive at work frustrated. I certainly feel this having to contend with this and then the equally ridiculous 20mph on Bishopthorpe Road. - It is not safe for cyclists. Many are riding at nearly 20mph on these roads, and you can’t get by them without speeding. You either choose to do this, or sit on their tail. I have absolutely no issue with slow speeds limits in necessary areas. It protects people of all ages and is rightly there to ensure safety. Having blanket slow speed limits is not the way forward. If there were hundreds of accidents and near misses then fine, but it is simply not the case in Bishopthorpe. Lessons should be learnt from Wales where they are now backtracking. It is also very frustrating that the council chose to spend money implementing the 20mph, with all new signage, road paintings etc when it’s supposed to be a trial. It feels permanent and I’m sure whatever we say, it’ll end up staying. I hope you don’t do the same in Copmanthorpe next!

I would just to say that I agree with the 20 MPH limit on some roads, such as the Main Street and smaller side roads. However, it think Alcaster Lane and Sim Balk Lane should not be 20 MPH, as these are main roads leading in and out of the village. When over taking parked cars this causes friction with other road users and could causes accidents, as people get frustrated.

We don't need 20mph down Acaster Lane, Bishopthorpe Road after the bridge passing the crematorium and the stretch on Sim Balk lane between the bridge and Church Lane. When needing to overtake parked vehicles or bicycles at this 20mph speed, it just increases the risk of an accident. It causes frustration with other drivers following who tailgate and even attempt to overtake. Can understand having 20mph around schools, parks, churches and the library.

Regarding the 20 mph, I look forward to YCC disclosing the results of the recent automatic traffic count, speed and number of vehicles on Keble Park North and Acaster Lane conducted week 19th to the 23rd May 2025 by NDC. I spoke to a representative of the company based in Ossett who informed me that the equipment installed on the lamp posts on Acaster Lane and Keble Park North could count traffic movements and graded their speeds in 5 mph bands. I failed to ask where else in the village was being monitored. Has the same monitoring been carried out on Main Street and also by the Palace and Appleton Road Bishopthorpe Road by the Palace. If not why not? I regularly experience vehicles travelling much faster than 20 mph in these locations when in the car and motorcycle and also on my bicycle. I am betting very few vehicles were travelling at 20 mph or less on Acaster Lane. I believe that many drivers are ignoring the 20 mph speed limit including buses and commercial vehicles. I believe that there should be a modification of the 20 mph speed limits as they are not working on Acaster Lane as 20 mph is too slow and 30 mph should be re-instated. The recent survey information will be useful to publicise!! There should be a 40 to 30 to 20 mph gradation on Sim Balk Lane with 20 mph in place starting just before the junction of Lang Road and Church Lane. The 30 mph should start again on Appleton Road after the junction with Maple Avenue. I have mixed feelings about by the Palace on Bishopthorpe Road. Ideally 20 mph is great as you have a very narrow footpath which we walk quite often but sadly my experience is few drivers adhere to the 20 mph or even 30 mph, most speeding up after the junction with Church Lane.

I was not at the meeting yesterday in bishopthorpe about the 20min restrictions. I have lived in the village for over 25 years now and since these restrictions have been put into, please the roads feel unsafe. I have seen cars over taking car who are doing 20mph. It was safer when Bishopthorpe was 30mph and only 20mph by the schools.

We live on Keble Park Estate at Bishopthorpe & I am writing regarding the experimental 20 mph speed limit currently in place.

In my view the limit is being ignored by most motorists. I do try & stick to it, but then normally find I have a car on my rear bumper.

I think that the 20mph limit near the schools & playgroup are a good idea,and possibly on Main Street, but I don't think that is is necessary for the whole village.

For it to be 20mph right up to the crematorium is really ridiculous, in my opinion.

As far as I know there has never been serious accident regarding a motor vehicle in the village, so I don't think this experiment was needed.

I support the introduction of the 20mph speed limit in Bishopthorpe. It is entirely appropriate for all the roads within the boundaries of the village. It has reduced speed for most but not all drivers. Instead of doing 34mph as before many people now do 23mph so it's a win-win.

I think there should be some modification to the 20mph boundaries on the approach to the village. The signs should be brought nearer 1) to St Andrews Church, 2) to Church Lane junction on Sim Balk Lane, and 3) to the bridge on Appleton Road

Both myself and my husband have lived in the village on Keble Park South for 53 years and have brought up two sons, as many of our neighbours have also brought up children without any incidents in the village. They were both paper boys riding their bikes in and around the village and walking to and from school. We feel the justification on Acaster Lane is totally unnecessary, a). because the slower a vehicle goes the more emissions, b) the engine noise is greater due to being in a lower gear, motorbikes are even worse, c)more attention is looking at the speedo to keep the speed down rather than looking ahead.

We would not dispute the need for 20mph limits on the remainder of the roads on the estates.

There is no need for a 20mph limit from the Crem to the end of Church Lane and on Sim Balk Lane up to Church Lane going into the village where the speed humps start.

The 20mph blanket speed limit is in my opinion stupid. There is no problem with the original limits on Main Street and outside the schools. Also 20mph on the estate roads is I believe sensible. However my objections are

1, Cars can come along Acaster Lane at 60mph only to come across the 20 mph limit that involves a very large reduction in speed. I think a 30 mph limit would be sensible upto Montegue Road and 20mph beyond.

2. A similar situation occurs on Appleton Road, again it would be reasonable for 30 mph limit to Maple Avenue where the 20 mph limit comes in again.

3, Sim balk lane between Church Lane and the pumping station a 30mph limit is reasonable.

4, Bishopthorpe Road from Church Lane 30 mph to the crematorium is reasonable as there is on one house on that section.

The 20mph limit appears to me to not include cyclists and buses. As the bus service is in disarray due to having to go through Southbank the bus drivers are trying to get back on schedule. Cyclists often overtake cars on various roads.

Thanks for asking for feedback on this trial. I'm a pedestrian who walks between South Bank and Bishopthorpe several times a week.

On the plus side:

I have definitely noticed the benefit of the 20mph limit along the stretch of Bishopthorpe Road from the Crematorium to Bishopthorpe Palace, where the pavement has a steep camber into the road and is very narrow. It feels much safer now.

On the down side:

It feels like the transition from 40mph to 20mph just outside the Crematorium is very sudden - I've seen lots of cars coming down from the bridge over the A64 at what feels like more than 40mph then suddenly slamming their brakes on when they see the 20mph sign. Is there a section of road that could be 30mph to make the change more gradual?

I saw a leaflet in Bishopthorpe library asking for views about the 20mph trial. I think it is a good idea for all the smaller, quieter roads in the village, as well as on Main Street and outside the schools, where it was in place before the trial.

However, I think 30mph is more appropriate for Acaster Lane and for Bishopthorpe Road after the junction with Church Lane when you're on your way out of the village

I am unable to attend this evening's public meeting (which I understand is expected to be well attended). However, I have some thoughts which may be of use to the discussion (as more people who are able are likely to drive to/from York due to the very irregular bus timetable currently operated by FirstYork)

The change from 40 to 20 mph is very abrupt on Bishopthorpe Road, just after the crematorium, and is nearly impossible to achieve without braking heavily. The 20mph sign cannot be seen until nearly at the crematorium due to the bridge and left hand bend in the road. I travelled at 35mph today (knowing the sign was coming up) and still was unable to drop to 20mph from when the sign became visible until the point of speed limit change, without braking hard.

Options to consider:

move the 20mph boundary a little further into the village

use the same tactic as on Bishopthorpe Rd, where the 20mph changes to 30mph at Campleshon Rd to 40mph at the racecourse, with the 30mph bounday perhaps being somewhere on the flyover bridge or the end of the racecourse

put up signage (as I have seen on other roads in England) advising that the speed limit is changing significantly in a short distance

Additionally

the speed limit signs in the section of road along Bishopthorpe Palace are not clear. There is only 1, and it is located on the opposite side of the road (correct positioning if leaving the village, but easily missed when entering)

It would also be useful if there was a sign near the junction of Church Lane and Bishopthorpe Road, as this is a 'fast' bit of road and reminders would be beneficial.

Moving or removing the sign halfway along Church Lane. I recollect it being there when the speed limit changed to 20 nearer the school. Currently, it could be 'assumed' that this was still the case.

For consideration and feeding into decision-making

At a recent ward meeting we were asked to provide feedback on the 20mph limit being trialled in Bishopthorpe.

I have never once felt unsafe either driving or walking around Bishopthorpe in advance of the 20mph trial. It is a very safe village with mostly wide roads and pavements, though I suppose being brought up in a more rural area where roads are much narrower and without pavements will skew my perspective compared to others. I don’t feel that there was a significant issue with speeding in the village and I have never experienced tailgating as others at the ward meeting claimed. I live on Acaster Lane where there are few obstacles to cars and the vast majority of vehicles which make you think ‘that’s going too fast’ are actually emergency vehicles on blue lights.

I have sympathy with extending the 20mph limit to smaller residential streets such as around the Keble estate and Maple Avenue. It is not safe to go much above 20mph anyway due to the narrower roads and parked cars. However, I feel extending the limit to cover the whole village is unnecessary given the safe roads that the village has. In particular, Acaster Lane and Bishopthorpe Road from the Crem to Church Lane feel far too slow given the location and unobstructed road layout.

Since the 20mph limit was introduced I haven’t noticed a significant difference in speeds throughout the village and most people have continued driving at 30mph where the limit was previously 30. This suggests to me that - rightly or wrongly - drivers don’t see the justification for the reduced limit in the same way that most people don’t do 40mph on the motorway unless they can see a reason why they have been asked to reduce their speed.

I did have one question, which was around how you are collecting data on traffic speeds in the village. The councillor who attended the ward meeting seemed to think this was being done manually by people standing at the side of the road. I was surprised to hear this given most councils use automated technology to get this data. If you do use automated means, I was wondering how you remove emergency vehicles from the data, since the speeds they drive through the village would likely skew the data.

I think this village wide limit is positively dangerous by putting cyclists in closer contact with motor vehicles and have been avoiding the village as much as possible. Has there been a dramatic reduction in accidents during this trial ? Other than 'people not liking traffic', I saw no figures to warrant even the trial; if it was speeding vehicles, then those who ignored the 30mph limit will hardly stick to the reduced one. If that is the case, then proper policing of existing limits is the correct course of action.

The extent of the 20mph limit throughout Bishopthorpe is largely excessive

There is a case to include 20mph on Main street and around the schools, however the current restriction is not needed

Hi, With regards to the letter that has circulated about thoughts on the 20 mph limit in Bishopthorpe,

There has never been any evidence to suggest any statistics of accidents or injuries to people or property before it was enforced, in 7 years of living here I have never seen or heard of an accident, Same with the 40mph on sim balk lane,

Can you provide evidence of accidents/ injuries over the last ten years?, probably not

These were only brought in due to a few village whingers who moan about anything they can, You need to try living here to see how bad it is moaning about dogs, fireworks, bins, cars parked etc etc etc.

And now people drive at 20 in the 40 sim balk zone which can make it more dangerous,

A total waste of taxpayers money to appease a few,

All original speed limits should be put back in place with immediate effect

I live in Acaster Malbis. I don’t think the 20mph in Bishopthorpe is helpful, people ignore it. On the main street yes fair enough, however there are two roads going from 60mph to 20mph, not needed. Especially when those roads only have houses on one side or not at all.

I would like to see the speed limit put back to 30mph. If it is deemed unsafe to drive at 30mph in Bishopthorpe then it is unsafe to drive at 30mph in any British town. If this is the case then it should be put to a democratic national vote which is scrutinized rather than each individual council imposing restrictions by the back door.

On the whole, I think it's a really good idea to have a 20 mph speed limit throughout the village. It's safer for pedestrians even if it's sometimes frustrating for drivers.

However, there are some problems with the dramatic drop from 40 to 20 (for example, on Sim Balk Lane). There used to be a stretch of 30 mph on entering the village and this seems to me to be much safer than having such a sudden change.

Similarly, I think the speed limit over the bridge on Appleton Road could be returned to 30 mph.

We are Bishopthorpe residents and gladly welcome the introduction of the 20mph speed restriction.
However, there are clearly a great many people, local and otherwise, who choose to ignore it.
One of the reasons for this I feel is because you’re asking them to commit to it too early and they are totally disgruntled before getting in to the village and therefore choose to ignore it totally. By this I refer to the three main entrances to the village; Sim Balk lane, Bishopthorpe road and Appleton road. Two of them being 40 mph approaches and one a 60 mph. The drop down to 20 mph is far too early and I don’t feel necessary as the areas are not really residential and have uninhabited land to one side. A buffer 30 mph zone could be introduced, maybe 200-300 metres before commencement of the 20 mph signs.
On Bishopthorpe road the 30 mph zone could start at the Crematorium and end at Church lane. Sim Balk lane would start at the bottom of the hill and again end at Church lane. Appleton road could start prior to the bend at Moor lane and end at the bottom of the hill , over the old railway bridge.
This we think would encourage drivers to drop their speed and also help reduce the risk of tailgating, as is common at the moment because they don’t see any sense in the restrictions starting so early.

My wife and I attended the recent meeting held In Bishopthorpe and thank you for the opportunity to allow us to air our views and thoughts

I am writing to ask for thought to be given to modifying the speed limits in Bishopthorpe at the end of the experimental period.

In addition it is clear that buses and taxis are not keeping to the limits on the main roads as they are now.