Agenda item

A representative from the Development and Transport Team, CYC, will tell you about the new cycle route and the Cycling City Project.

Ruth Egan and John Pickles, City Strategy, CYC, spoke about the Cycling City Project and answered questions about problems arising from changes to the road layout at Clifton Green.

4.1 CYC transport policy is to reduce unnecessary journeys by car and encourage people to make essential journeys by more sustainable means. The 2^nd Local Transport Plan (2005) projected an increase in car travel of 14% over 5 years, a level which is not sustainable in York.

4.2 York has secured £3.68m in funding from Cycling England with match-funding from the council and other partners. The project has ambitious targets, including a 25% increase in cycling and 100% increase in children cycling to school.

4.3 The delivery strategy for the project includes: overcoming barriers to cycling identified by residents in the recent cycling survey; completing the orbital route; filling in missing links in the cycle network; and improved cycle parking.

4.5 In the second year of the project they will be taking forward ideas from the residents’ survey in which areas like Blossom Street and Wigginton Road were identified as key locations.

Among the issues raised by residents regarding cycle facilities in York were funding for the Cycling City project, cyclists cutting through the Homestead, the cycle path between Clifton Bridge and Lendall Bridge, and the impact of the cycle scheme on newly planted trees on Crichton Avenue.

There was a discussion about the new cycle scheme at Clifton Green and the resulting traffic problems. Residents described the delays and increased traffic resulting from the new road layout and some residents spoke in favour of the scheme. Among the issues that arose were: the width of the cycle lanes, signage, the consultation and decision-making process behind the scheme, the options and funding available to improve the situation and suggestions from residents about how to address the issues.

Responding to the questions and issues, officers pointed out that guidelines on the width of cycle lanes come from the Department of Transport, Cycling England and Sustrans and agreed that improved signage was necessary. It was pointed out that the scheme came before an Executive Member Advisory Panel; members made a decision taking into account the recommendations of council officers, whose reports included concerns raised during public consultation and warned of increased congestion which would improve as motorists found alternative routes. Officers have considered the possibility of reinstating the filter lane. The scheme is due to undergo a safety audit and funds have been set aside to address problems identified by the audit.   

Residents noted the dramatic increase in traffic on Westminster Road and The Avenue, and pointed out that the situation would get worse when the speed humps are removed to allow heavy vehicles access to St Peter’s School. Among the suggestions from residents were: traffic restrictions on Westminster Road and The Avenue; exploring alternatives to removing the speed humps; having a Keep Clear sign at the entrance to Westminster Road; using the successful closure of other ratruns as a model; and asking St Peter’s to pay for alternative traffic-calming measures.

Responding to residents’ concerns, officers pointed out that monitoring must take place to establish the nature of the problem. They will be conducting an initial traffic survey in the area beginning on Sunday 26 April, and again when the road layout has settled down. Councillors informed the meeting that alternative traffic-calming measures are being explored.

In response to a suggestion by a resident, it was agreed that there would be a special meeting to address the problems arising from the new road layout when results of the initial traffic survey are available. It was agreed that this would be paid for by the ward committee contingency fund.