Leeman Road tunnel would go one-way under York Central scheme

Transport plans through the York Central site include controversial proposals for Leeman Road tunnel to be made one way.

A planning application for the next stage of the project includes new roads, segregated cycle routes, footpaths, extra bus routes and a bridge over the East Coast Mainline.

And – under the plans – Leeman Road tunnel will be reduced to a single carriageway for traffic, with a one way system controlled by traffic lights.

The other lane will be turned into a segregated cycling route.

Transport concerns

Bus companies and users raised concerns about plans to reduce Leeman Road tunnel to a single lane when the idea was first raised in 2018 – with fears it could result in long queues of traffic.

But a council spokesman said the plans prioritise sustainable transport like cycling, walking and catching the bus – in response to what residents have said about the the site.

A new spine road will be built through the site – stretching from a junction at Water End to Cinder Street – which would run behind the station – and then to Leeman Road Tunnel.

The new road – Park Street – will feature a landscaped 2m-wide pedestrian footpath and a segregated 3.5m-wide, two-way cycle route. It will have a 20mph speed limit.

A new separate bus lane will be built on Cinder Street as part of plans to prioritise public transport journeys into the city centre.

Two high frequency Park&Ride bus services will also run through the site and new stops will be created at the railway station and National Railway Museum.

Some bus routes that currently go down Leeman Road will be rerouted on to new roads through York Central.

The planning application for this stage of the development will be submitted at the end of March, according to City of York Council.