Decision details

Purpose of report: The report will consider the study undertaken by Halcrow to examine the feasibility of various options (including potential vehicle movement restrictions) for improving the access and safety for all road users on Blossom Street between and including its junctions with Holgate Road and Queen Street/Nunnery Lane/Micklegate.

Local residents and businesses in the Blossom Street area will be directly affected. Outcomes of consultations with local residents and businesses on issues and improvements for more sustainable forms of transport will be presented.

Subsequent detailed design of a preferred option will be completed for commencement of construction by the end of March 2009.

Improvements due to be complete by June 2009 (deferred to end March 2010 if start is delayed beyond March 2009).

Members are asked to: consider the various options and select an option to be taken forward to detailed design and subsequent construction.

Consideration was given to the following options:

Option 1 - accept the principal that the Blossom Street / Queen Street / Micklegate/Nunnery Lane junction should be altered and the streetscape of Blossom Street between this junction and its junction with Holgate Road should be enhanced to improve the accessibility and safety for all road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists. The alterations and enhancements to be considered will have an impact on the operation of the junction and congestion to varying degrees. Subject to this, scheme options should be presented to a future EMAP for their relative benefits/disbenefits to be considered by Members in order to decide on a preferred option for further evaluation, consultation and detailed design.

Option 2 - reject the principal.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to

(i)                 Note the report and its Annexes;

(ii)               Note that the Blossom Street/Queen Street/ Micklegate/Nunnery Lane junction may be altered and agree in principle that the streetscape of Blossom Street between this junction and its junction with Holgate Road should be enhanced to improve the accessibility and safety for all road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists.

(iii)             Note that any alterations and enhancements to be considered will have an impact on the operation of the junction and congestion to varying degrees.

(iv)              Request Officers to undertake full consultation with residents, traders and road users in the Micklegate area before proceeding further with any design work which would limit access via Micklegate Bar and that the results of such consultation be reported back to the EMAP.

(v)                That Officers be asked to more fully consider the options for diverting cycle movements away from this junction (for example, by providing more direct routes linking to the Railway Station).

(vi)              Receive a further report from Officers at a future EMAP meeting describing potential options and how they satisfy, as far as is practicable, the key requirements.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            The study confirmed that current facilities for pedestrians and cyclists are less than ideal, evidenced by the number of accidents that have occurred in the past five years. Accepting the principal that the Blossom Street / Queen Street / Micklegate / Nunnery Lane junction should be altered and the streetscape of Blossom Street between this junction and its junction with Holgate Road should be enhanced, particularly and ultimately deciding on an option to address the issues as far as is practicable should improve safety for all road users, pedestrians and cyclists.