Agenda and draft minutes

An update on York Central development and Riverside Path project.

1.    MAIN MEETING – WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS (18:00)

The meeting was jointly chaired by Councillors Taylor and Steels-Walshaw who welcomed everyone and set out the housekeeping rules and reminded residents that the meeting was non-political.

2.    Riverside Path project

Councillor Taylor provided a brief outline of the project background. Riverside path upgrade is a significant project which will result in improved access between Leeman Road and the city centre. Although ward councillors tried to make a condition that the path is upgraded prior to closure of Leeman Road, that wasn’t possible. The important matter is that the project is moving forward now, and we are looking at implementation without further delays.

Councillor Taylor invited James Williams, Transport Systems Programme Manager , City of York Council to outline the project in more detail.

Project aims and deliverables include:

• Widening or segregating the riverside path to reduce the likelihood of conflict between pedestrians and cyclists.
• Improved lighting and security.
• Raising the level of the path in particular at low points to reduce the impact of river flood events.
• Provide more seating and rest areas along the route.
• Revise parking and traffic movement on Jubilee Terrace to reduce conflict between motor vehicles and path users.

A consultation undertaken over November and December 2024 informed the design that was agreed by the Executive Member for Transport and is being presented today. The scheme is divided into three sections:

·       Section A Jubilee Terrace

·       Section B1 Cinder Lane Field 1

·       Section B2 Cinder Lane Low Point

Installation of double yellow lines outside the church was consulted on earlier this summer. Some of the improvements proposed across all 3 sections of the route had to be descoped to make the project affordable.

A new cycle path parallel to the existing one will be created along Section B1. The existing path along this section will remain in its current position for use by pedestrians and will be partially resurfaced.

Both paths will merge along Section B2 with a 2m wide footway raised 6cm higher than the 2,5m wide cycle track allowing pedestrians and cyclists segregation.

Those improvements should reduce the average number of days when the path is under water from 9 to 5 per year. River flooding level peaked at 3,5m last night and the existing path would flood if the river level was 3,6m or higher. The original design was to raise the path by 80cm, however that had to be downscaled to 30cm in places most prone to flooding to bring the project within available budget.

A new shared space will be created close to Scarborough Bridge providing better sight lines through the underpass. Appropriate signage requesting cyclists to share the path with care will be erected at that location.

Stakeholders such as the Network Rail and Environment Agency must have an input in relation to impact of the project on their assets. Work is proposed to provide flood compensation area close to the Water Lane Bridge.

City of York Council service areas involved with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.