Agenda item

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It was reported that there had been ten registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Tom Franklin welcomed the public consultation but requested that a decision on TSAR traffic signal refurbishment be postponed until after the new Local Transport Plan as they considered neither option in the report acceptable.

Lee Spracklen noted the improved air quality at the Bootham junction due to the reduced number of cars in the first lockdown. He noted that he did not support either option in the report and that more needed to be done to reduce traffic and improve air quality.

Roger Pierce noted that option B was preferable regarding the TSAR traffic signal refurbishment, but requested a decision be deferred until a review of post Covid traffic levels could be undertaken. He also requested that the Council review the use of near side traffic indicators as visually impaired users found these difficult to use.

Robert Gordon also found option B preferable for the TSAR traffic signal refurbishment, but noted that it was unclear how this would affect traffic ques at the junction potentially creating further air quality issues and slowing down bus routes. He noted the potential benefits to residents and business of reduced traffic in the area, the need for cleaner forms of transportation, and therefore requested the item be postponed.

Anthony May raised concerns that neither option in the TSAR traffic signal refurbishment consultation was preferable for residents. He noted that while 55% of people wanted more space for pedestrians and cyclists, 59% also preferred option A which would not deliver this. He asked that a decision be postponed until after consultation had taken place on the outer ring road.

Niall McFerran also requested a postponement of a decision in relation to the TSAR traffic signal refurbishment. He noted that the junction currently favours cars over pedestrians and cyclists and confusion in lanes lead to traffic problems.

Martin Farrington raised concerns that the cycle route improvement item would increase traffic near homes on Scarcroft Road and the lose of parking would lower safety for residents. He raised a number of questions in relation to the diversion route and planning decisions in relation to the Environment Agency work.

John Singleton noted that the lose of parking on Scarcroft road which already had parking issues would create problems on nearby streets. He also noted that the increased speed of cars from a more open road would create a less safe street for residents.

Jo Skinner also raised safety concerns on Scarcroft road and noted concerns that communication and consultation on the changes had been insufficient. He noted that bringing cars closer to houses on the street would increase the danger to school children travelling to schools nearby.

Tim Pheby noted that the Terry Avenue cycle route was one of the best cycle routes in the city. He noted that the route proposed in the cycle route improvement item for while Terry Avenue would be closed did not meet the criteria to replace it, especially the crossing at Scarcroft Road. He proposed that the Council consider either temporary traffic lights at the junction or a protected two way cycle path to protect cyclists.