Agenda item

This report provides the Executive Member with information on progress made to date on further investigations requested by the Executive, at its meeting on 30 March 2010, into reviewing the traffic arrangements at York Railway Station and to earlier concerns raised at Council on 2 November 2009.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)                    Note the outcome of the discussions with East Coast and Network Rail that there is currently no funding in place to allow any changes to the highway layout to improve the traffic situation in the area of the Railway Station Frontage.

REASON:                              To note that there are no short term improvements which can be made to the situation.

ii) Instruct officers to continue the discussions with East Coast and Network Rail in order to develop medium and long term aspirations for a revised highway layout in order to improve the traffic situation in the area of the Railway Station Frontage, such that these can be considered when the next rail franchise is developed and to enhance the route between the station and the Minster through the City Centre Area Action Plan.

REASON: To seek to progress over the medium and long term transport improvements in front of the Railway Station and improve pedestrian and public transport linkages and access within the city centre.

ii)                  Note that, without significant changes to the layout of Tea Room Square, it would not be possible to improve the right turn out onto Station Road.

REASON: In response to a request in the Motion to Full Council.

iv) Instruct officers to carry out minor changes to the road markings, as shown in Annex C of the officer report, to improve the traffic flow around the Ftr stop.

REASON: To improve cycle facilities and traffic movement around the rear end of the Ftr.

v) Instruct officers to advise the Lead Members of the Motion to Full Council and the representatives of the Taxi organisations of the outcome of these investigations.

REASON:                              To complete the feedback on consultation.

vi)                Instruct officers to continue discussions with East Coast to develop a signing regime to advise bus passengers leaving the Railway Station as to the best route to their bus stop and to put forward for consideration for funding in the Capital Programme for 2011/12.

REASON:                              To improve integrated travel arrangements at the Railway Station.

vii)              Instruct officers to consider ways in which those private vehicle drivers, dropping off and picking up passengers, do so from the station rear entrance.

REASON:                              In an effort to improve travel arrangements at the Railway Station.

viii) Note the outcome of the coach trials undertaken to deliver passengers directly to the railway platform and instruct officers to continue to work with the rail and transport operators to see if this can be implemented on a more permanent basis.

REASON:                              To improve integrated travel arrangements at the Railway Station.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided him with information on progress made to date on the further investigations requested by the Executive at its meeting on 30 March 2010, in relation to reviewing the traffic arrangements at York Railway Station. Further details of discussions with East Coast and Network Rail in relation to possible traffic improvements that could be identified for the railway station frontage together with improved signage and rail replacement coaches were also considered.

Officers pointed out that following investigations there was only one option for the Executive Member to consider as set out below, but there were a number of actions detailed throughout the report which sought the Executive Members guidance and that these had been included in the report recommendations.

Option I: In the present situation of funding not currently being available from the rail operators, consideration could be given to the Council funding the improvements at the Railway Station Frontage through the Local Transport Capital Programme.

The Executive Member referred to various representations he had received from taxi organisations and confirmed that it appeared little could be done in the short term to bring about a radical improvement in the competing priorities in respect of the road space around the station. He accepted that improvements should be sought as part of the renewal arrangements for the East Coast franchise. However in the meantime he suggested ongoing officer discussions with interested parties and pointed out that in the longer term there were opportunities through the Local Transport Plan.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member for City Strategy agrees to:

i)                    Note the outcome of the discussions with East Coast and Network Rail that there is currently no funding in place to allow any changes to the highway layout to improve the traffic situation in the area of the Railway Station Frontage.

REASON:                              To note that there are no short term improvements which can be made to the situation.

ii) Instruct officers to continue the discussions with East Coast and Network Rail in order to develop medium and long term aspirations for a revised highway layout in order to improve the traffic situation in the area of the Railway Station Frontage, such that these can be considered when the next rail franchise is developed and to enhance the route between the station and the Minster through the City Centre Area Action Plan. ^1.

REASON: To seek to progress over the medium and long term transport improvements in front of the Railway Station and improve pedestrian and public transport linkages and access within the city centre.

ii)                  Note that, without significant changes to the layout of Tea Room Square, it would not be possible to improve the right turn out onto Station Road.

REASON: In response to a request in the Motion to Full Council.

iv) Instruct officers to carry out minor changes to the road markings, as shown in Annex C of the officer report, to improve the traffic flow around the Ftr stop. ^2.

REASON: To improve cycle facilities and traffic movement around the rear end of the Ftr.

v) Instruct officers to advise the Lead Members of the Motion to Full Council and the representatives of the Taxi organisations of the outcome of these investigations. ^3.

REASON:                              To complete the feedback on consultation.

vi)                Instruct officers to continue discussions with East Coast to develop a signing regime to advise bus passengers leaving the Railway Station as to the best route to their bus stop and to put forward for consideration for funding in the Capital Programme for 2011/12.  ^4.

REASON:                              To improve integrated travel arrangements at the Railway Station.

vii)              Instruct officers to consider ways in which those private vehicle drivers, dropping off and picking up passengers, do so from the station rear entrance. ^5.

REASON:                              In an effort to improve travel arrangements at the Railway Station.

viii) Note the outcome of the coach trials undertaken to deliver passengers directly to the railway platform and instruct officers to continue to work with the rail and transport operators to see if this could be implemented on a more permanent basis.

REASON:                              To improve integrated travel arrangements at the Railway Station.