Issue details

The riverside path is a key route on the York cycle network and is well used by pedestrians and cyclists, connecting the west of the city with the city centre and the Scarborough Bridge river crossing. The Riverside Path Improvement Scheme focuses on the section of the path that runs from the junction of Kingsland Terrace and Jubilee Terrace to Scarborough Bridge.

This report outlines the preliminary scheme proposed for the Riverside Path Improvement Scheme, providing an overview of its key features and objectives.

This report provides a detailed summary of the feedback and insights gathered during the public engagement process. It highlights the concerns, suggestions, and general sentiment of stakeholders.

In addition this report will also report the findings of a key dependency to this project with regards to the Riverside Embankment Structural Review (Appendix C), which evaluates the current condition of the embankment and outlines the potential risks and challenges, not only to the future of the embankments ongoing stability, but also any associated impact to the Riverside Path Improvements Scheme. This report seeks to facilitate a decision on the embankment's future maintenance plan and any impact/interaction with the proposed Riverside Path improvements.

The Executive Member will be asked to:

1. Approve progression of the Riverside Path Improvement scheme to detailed design and construction, based on the scheme proposals and preliminary design inclusions set out within the “Options Analysis and Evidential Basis - Affordable Scheme” section of this report

2. Provide direction on how to proceed regarding the risks associated with the Riverside Embankment Stability issue and any associated dependencies, as indicated within the “Options Analysis and Evidential Basis – Riverside Embankment Stability” section of this report and Appendix C, by approving one of the following options:

i. Mandate a separately resourced and funded project with a brief to identify the need for remedial works to improve Riverside Embankment stability, generating recommendations for how this can be achieved in a report which will be brought before a future Executive Member Decision Session. Undertake detailed design work for the Riverside Path improvement Scheme but delay construction until the dependency on the Riverside Embankment Stability issue is fully determined and resolved. Deliver both Projects in parallel with delivery timelines to be aligned to provide one, robust, future proofed solution.

ii. Take no action - noting the current condition of the embankment has a negative impact on current use of the riverbank and is likely to have impacts in the future on the Riverside Path Improvement Scheme. Acknowledge the risk of the embankment instability identified within the recent Riverside Path Embankment Stability Report of 2024 (included at Appendix C) but proceed with the full delivery (design and construction) of the Riverside Path Improvement Scheme, understanding that any failure of the embankment could directly affect the path and that construction of the path may result in land movement which further deteriorates the embankment stability and subsequent lifespan of both the path and embankment.

3. To note in Appendix C, two remedial options are presented to rectify the Riverside Embankment Stability. Remedial Option high level cost estimates are in the region of circa. £500k to £2.5m. The Riverside Path Project Team does not provide any recommendations on which option to proceed with as further work is required to understand the impact / risks of either option and the eventual fully costed solution, taking into consideration any associated third party costs (e.g. Environment Agency/Network Rail.)

4. Approve the procurement of a Principal Contractor and Principal Designer for the Riverside Path Improvement scheme and delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Transport & Planning (in consultation with the Director of Governance and the Head of Procurement) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting contracts.

5. Delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning to proceed with all necessary technical work, including preparation of a detailed design, investigation and conduct of diversions of statutory-undertakers apparatus to enable the works in regard of the Riverside Path Improvement Scheme.

6. Delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning to approve the final design to be delivered for the Riverside Path scheme without the requirement for further EMDS decision or public consultation unless scheme objectives or cost tolerances cannot be met without significant alteration to the preliminary design.

7. Approve the submission of any relevant planning application(s) required to deliver the Riverside Path Improvement Scheme affordable solution and delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning to do so.

8. Approve the advertisement of an amendment to Traffic Regulation order to introduce ‘No waiting at any time’ restrictions on Jubilee Terrace as part of the Riverside Path Improvement Scheme.

9. Approve the advertisement of an amendment to Traffic Regulation order to introduce ‘Prohibition of cycling’ restrictions on the Aldborough Way access ramp to the Riverside Path as part of the Riverside Path Improvement Scheme.

Background documents
Active Travel Programme Update, Executive Member for Transport, March 2023
https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=64674