Agenda item

This report advises the Executive Member about the results of consultation on proposals to introduce a cycle route link from the northern end of the York Hospital site to the existing Foss Islands Cycle route.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to defer consideration of the proposals for this section of the cycle route, to enable Officers to re-examine all the options for this scheme and report back to the EMAP. ^1.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:        In view of further objections received to the proposed scheme.

This report advised Members of the results of consultation undertaken on proposals to introduce a cycle route link from the northern end of the York Hospital site to the existing Foss Islands Cycle Route.

The Panel were reminded that the new route was a planning condition linked to the hospital’s new multi-storey car park. The new cycle route through York Hospital would continue through Bootham Park Hospital to the A19 and then along St Mary’s towards Scarborough Bridge and York Station.

It was reported that, in relation to the planning condition, the hospital had originally proposed a route along the front of the hospital on Wigginton Road but that following a detailed study this route was not considered appropriate owing to a number of road safety concerns.

Officers circulated an update report, which referred to a road safety audit undertaken and further meetings held with the Police and representatives of York District Hospital, since the report had been published. The audit had confirmed that that there were no significant road safety issues, and further meetings had helped to clarify specific concerns about crime and disorder. It was reported that the Police Architectural Liaison Officer (PALO) had assessed the scheme against guidance documents and had highlighted weaknesses in the proposals.

Officers also reported updates in relation to the following issues:

·        A petition had been received from all residents of Murrough Wilson Place raising objections to the proposals on the grounds of lack of consultation and following advice received from the PALO that where cycle paths were installed an increase in crime followed.

·        The Railway Housing Association had written to confirm that although the above residents had originally supported the scheme that they were now opposed owing to increased crime concerns.

·        The Manager of York Hospitals waste disposal unit had also raised concerns about the potential for unauthorised access into the vicinity of the unit by cyclists and pedestrians who would be using the route. Officers confirmed that security fencing was proposed to prevent access to this area.

·        York Hospital had now confirmed that although they would be providing enhanced CCTV coverage of the site that unfortunately it would not be possible to extend this beyond their boundary to the cycle path.

Members expressed concern at the potential for the proposed route to support an increase in crime in the area. They felt that the route would be more appropriately sited along the hospital frontage and following receipt of the petition from local residents, who had previous supported the proposals, felt consideration should be given to alternative route options.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to defer consideration of the proposals for this section of the cycle route, to enable Officers to re-examine all the options for this scheme and report back to the EMAP. ^1.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

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

REASON:        In view of further objections received to the proposed scheme.