Agenda item - Proposed improvements to the Moor Lane, Askham Lane & Askham Bryan Lane Junctions on the A1237 York Outer Ring Road

The purpose of this report is to advise Members on the results of the recent public consultation on the proposals to replace the Moor Lane, Askham Lane and Askham Bryan Lane junctions on the A1237 York outer ring road with a roundabout.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised;

(i) To note the contents of the report and the results of the consultation processes.

(ii) That amended Option A (a five-arm roundabout located at or very close to the existing summit between Askham Lane and Moor Lane) should be adopted as the preferred scheme to form the basis of a planning application;

(iii) That a subway should not be provided under the A1237 as part of the project;

(iv) That a planning application be submitted for the preferred scheme;

(v) That detailed design of the preferred scheme commence in advance of receiving planning approval;

(vi) That negotiations with any affected land owner(s) commence in advance of receiving planning approval;

(vii) That, subject to the scheme receiving planning approval, to successful negotiations with the affected land owner(s), and the scheme being within the approved budget, authorisation be given to acquire the additional land;

(viii) That any Road Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the scheme be advertised and, subject to no objections being received, the Order(s) be made. Any unresolved objections to be referred back to Members for consideration;

(ix) That, subject to the scheme receiving planning approval, the land being acquired through negotiation, and the scheme being within the approved budget, authorisation be given to proceed with construction of the scheme.

(x) That the Executive Member be kept fully appraised of the progress of the scheme and that a further report be submitted to Members should issues arise which significantly affect the scheme.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:

(i) For background information and for assisting in the decision making progress.

(ii) To improve the Moor Lane, Askham Lane, & Askham Bryan Lane junctions on the A1237 York outer ring road.

(iii) The small numbers who would be likely to make use of this facility in an isolated location would not justify the additional costs.

(iv) To obtain planning approval for those parts of the scheme not within the existing highway boundary.

(v) To minimise delays to the scheme.

(vi) To minimise delays to the scheme.

(vii) To enable the scheme to proceed.

(viii) To enable any restrictions on access, turning movements, parking, loading, and stopping, and any changes to speed limits to be implemented.

(ix) To enable the scheme to proceed.

(x) For monitoring and decision making purposes.

The purpose of this report was to advise Members on the results of the recent public consultation on the proposals to replace the Moor Lane, Askham Lane and Askham Bryan Lane junctions on the A1237 York outer ring road with a roundabout. Members were presented with four Options (Option A, Amended Option A, Option C and Option D) which were listed in full in the report with plans at Annexes C-F. Additional letters of objection were circulated at the meeting.

Mr Geoff North spoke at the meeting as an objector at Askham Lane Nurseries. He objected to Option A, although he acknowledged that the Amended Option A had taken account of his initial concerns and Option D addressed concerns of Askham Bryan residents. He wanted there to be high quality landscaping, and road bunding to protect nearby residents from noise and pollution. There should be use of low level lighting, to reduce light pollution. He offered his extensive experience in landscaping, to aid with the scheme. He circulated his written comments to members of the committee.

Mr Kenneth Dixon spoke in objection and raised concerns about the Askham Bryan link to the roundabout. He said village residents he had spoken to did not have problems accessing the A1237 in a north or south direction. If linked there was a risk that traffic in the village would increase and create a ‘rat-run’. The best solution was to leave the Askham Bryan Lane junction as it was.

Ward Councillor Glen Bradley spoke on behalf of Askham Bryan residents. He recognised the issues surrounding volume of traffic and speed. He noted that Askham Bryan residents initially preferred Option C as Option A would be impact on nearby residences and businesses. Amended Option A was more acceptable, except for the issue of traffic through the village. He suggested access only and weight restriction signs, to discourage traffic. Traffic noise, headlights and light pollution from street lights would disturb residents. Landscaping and planting should be carried out to reduce the visual impact on residents. He broadly supported the Amended Option A to improve safety with minimal impact.

Ward Councillor Janet Hopton spoke on behalf of Askham Bryan residents. Amended Option A addressed the issues of location of the roundabout, but did not address concerns about increased traffic and creation of a ‘rat-run’. The village was not suitable for any increase in traffic or heavy vehicles. The existing junction to the village should be retained, with a left turn only. If the roundabout was approved there should be access only and weight restriction signs on the village turn off. Costs for these should be included in the cost of the project.

The following was discussed:

Some Members supported the introduction of signals at the junctions.
Officers were not able to accurately predict traffic flows into Askham Bryan.
There were concerns about crime associated with the introduction of a subway. However, there were also concerns about safety of cyclists crossing the ring road.
Some Members supported the introduction of speed cameras at the junctions. However, the Police did not support this.
It was not thought there would be a major effect on traffic at the York College roundabout.
Safety concerns at all three junctions should be dealt with in a single project.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised;

(i) To note the contents of the report and the results of the consultation processes.

(ii) That amended Option A (a five-arm roundabout located at or very close to the existing summit between Askham Lane and Moor Lane) should be adopted as the preferred scheme to form the basis of a planning application;