Agenda item

University Road/Field Lane Highway Changes

Dave Mercer, a council project leader will tell you about the proposed improvements and listen to what you think of them.

Minutes:

4.1    David Mercer, City of York Council Principal Engineer, Transport Projects gave an overview of the proposed University Road and Field Lane changes.

 

4.2    Drawings of the proposed schemes were presented to the meeting and copies of the drawings with supporting information describing the scheme were made available for residents to take way for further consideration.

 

4.3    The ward meeting was to serve as the platform for a wider consultation exercise to residents and key groups, during which residents will be afforded the opportunity to comment on the proposals.

 

4.4    A public exhibition and/or public meetings are being considered to allow residents and other interested persons the opportunity to discuss particular issues of the proposals.

 

4.5    Residents who would like to take part in  the consultation can contact Dave Mercer by e-mail: david.mercer@york.gov.uk , or by phone : 01904 55 3447. 

 

The following questions were raised.

 

Q       Why is the scheme required?

A       The scheme, along with various other highway schemes, was identified within the planning permission for the University East Campus project and the improvements are proposed to meet essential transportation needs of the area.

 

 

Q       Are those expensive improvements essential?

A       The traffic will increase in the area as a consequence of the development of the University and the improvements are proposed to minimise its impact on the area. In addition, the scheme aims to improve cycling and pedestrian links between the campuses. The proposals minimise the impact on the existing trees and a tree survey will also be carried out to verify the condition of the trees and ensure minimal tree loss.

 

 

Q       How long will the period of public consultation be?

A       Consultation periods usually last for 3 weeks.

 

Q       Would you be able to extend the period of consultation? It is impossible for Parish Council to provide comprehensive response within 3 weeks time, we would need at least 6 weeks.

A       We will consider this further and contact Parish Council directly to discuss the proposals.

 

Q       There is a concern that continuous traffic flows on University Road may result in difficulties entering and particularly exiting Main Street during rush hours. Retention of the roundabout should be considered as a solution.

A       It is recognised that vehicles may have difficulty exiting Main Street and so the suggestion will be considered further.

 

Q       Primary School will be supportive of some of the changes as long as  traffic around the school will reduce. There is concern about motorists shortcutting through School Lane to get to the village.

A       The proposed route through the Science Park was built to accommodate the through traffic. It is wider and the route is 350m shorter than that through School Lane. School Lane has a 20mph limit and is traffic calmed, and this is considered to be a less desirable and less convenient route. Drivers will be encouraged to turn towards the Science Park from the signalised junction instead of continuing along Field Lane towards School Lane. Physical restrictions can also be put in place if needed. 

          The existing signs along the Hull Road and Field Lane route will no longer be signed as a through route for Fulford.

We will consider any comments regarding that matter.

 

 

Q       People are driving through the village between 6am and 10pm to get to banks on Main Street, and are parking on School Lane and walking through to Main Street to access the banks. They have been doing so for years. Have you considered that in your improvement proposals?

A       We were not aware of that issue. It needs to be discussed with the banks. We will take that into consideration.

 

Q       Your proposals will not help to ease the congestion in the Village. What are the plans on the road signage?

A       The University’s consultant, in conjunction with the Council, has developed a widespread signing strategy for the area and the approach routes. The new signs will be installed shortly. Some of these new signs will need to be replaced as a consequence of the University Road scheme.

 

Q       Will the proposed scheme go ahead regardless of the public consultation? Are there any alternative proposals?

A       The proposals have been developed by Council officers after consideration of many options. Only the preferred option was being presented for consultation. The proposals are open to comment and consideration will be given to any comments received. The design can be amended in light of the comments received but ultimately the decision to proceed will be that of the Cabinet Member.

 

Cllr Keith Aspden concluded that the Council should look at the alternatives and if changes are required to the proposal they will need to be considered.

 

 

Q       Who will pay for the improvement scheme?

A       University of York will cover the cost of the improvements.

 

Q       Has the study about the scheme impact on environment been done?

A       I am unable to offer a comprehensive answer on this. There will be environmental benefits such as increase of green spaces and more trees, and reduced traffic along Field Lane.

 

Q       You should trial the new signage system before implementing it permanently.

A       The new signs will be in place for several months before the University Road scheme is implemented. We do not have a confirmed date for the scheme implementation yet, as it depends on a number of factors including, perhaps, the University of York cash flow. The construction may be as early as summer 2012 and this will give time to monitor the conditions once the signs are in place.

 

 

 

Q       In the event of accident and temporary closure of A64 traffic will come down School Lane and cause gridlock.

A       This is unlikely as all through traffic will be signed through the Science Park.

 

Q       Could you install ‘access only to the village’ signs?

A       Detailed signing is to be considered further. Permitted wording on traffic signs is limited.

 

Q       Prospect of more cyclists on University Road is a problem, as the street is very dark.

A       Appropriate improvements in the street lighting will be considered during detailed design.

 

Cllr David Levene has said that all of the concerns must be addressed comprehensively and therefore the scheme will be implemented at later date.

 

David Mercer suggested a way forward would be to gather opinions from residents, review the scheme and then resume formal consultations.

 

The following questions and concerns were raised at this point.

 

Q       The scheme proposals about bus stops and bus routes are vague, what will happen to them?

A       Some of the bus stops will be relocated; the majority will be upgraded to include shelters bus stops. The main issue about which services will stop where has not been fully resolved yet and needs to be discussed further with the bus companies.

 

Cllr Keith Aspden expressed his concern about bus stops moving away from the village.

 

Fulford Parish Council stated that they would support Heslington Parish Council during public consultation.

 

Q       I struggle to understand this project. Could you present the whole plan and alternative proposals at the next meeting?

A       It would be too complicated to present the entire plan on the screen. Hard copies of the scheme can be provided to everyone interested.

 

 

Q       There was a public meeting around 6 years ago regarding access for buses only to the bottom end of Field Lane. It caused concerns with the public. It seems that this unreasonable suggestion is coming back now. Is the road system in Heslington designed for benefit of residents, or bus companies?

A       I am not aware of this and assume that it formed part of the planning consultations, which was prior to my involvement in the scheme.

There is only small number of bus companies that operate through Heslington and the Council do not have direct control over them. Some currently use the Science Park route to go to the new campus.

          The project is being developed to cater for all road users and to balance the needs of these.

 

The following concerns were raised at this point.

 

You should not go ahead with that development, as it is not beneficial and unnecessary.

 

This improvement will not work for farmers as it does not reflect the need for access by farm vehicles.

 

This proposal is intended for the benefit of students only, you cannot forget about young children in the village.

 

Cllr Aspden declared that additional public meeting will be arranged to consult on and discuss that redevelopment.

 

Cllr Levene has said that the sensible way forward for David Mercer  will be to take on board all the views and opinions from this meeting and discuss them with his colleagues and line management before taking any further steps.

 

David Mercer has said that internal consultations had been carried out and this ward meeting is the first part of the wide public consultation. David Mercer suggested that the consultation process be put on hold and all views from this meeting will be discussed.

 

Heslington Parish Council will be consulted on the matter and the period of consultation will be extended.

 

 

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