A year-long trial to cut traffic queues on a York street hit by air pollution will begin on Thursday (2 January).
Because its a narrow street with buildings either side, Gillygate traps nitrogen oxides and particulates from vehicles, leading to some of the worst air quality in the city.
The new trial will alter traffic light sequencing to significantly reduce stationary traffic on the street.
The trial will be “monitored and adapted if there are major issues,” City of York Council says.
“This will include reviewing the impact on buses and emergency vehicles. Should they be needed, adjustments to the timings would be made during the trial to seek to minimise any impacts on these groups.”
In 2023 there was a two week trial. This reduced queueing traffic on Gillygate, but there were some concerns around longer traffic queues on Lord Mayor’s Walk, and to a lesser extent, Clarence Street.
The findings from 2023 will be used to shape the new trial.
A council spokesperson said: “In addition, over the longer term, any increased traffic queues on surrounding streets are anticipated to dissipate, as people adapt how they travel.”
Councillor Jenny Kent, environment lead on the council, said: “Air quality in Gillygate has been a challenge for a long time and despite recent reductions in air pollution it still breaches national standards.
“Residents are rightly concerned, and this trial is a step towards addressing the problem. We hope it will bring benefits to people’s health, local businesses, and the environment. In time, this trial will also help us to look at other locations across York experiencing poor air quality or disruption as a result of queueing traffic.”
The Gillygate Air Quality Action Group welcomed the trial, adding: “We aim to ensure that all residents and businesses in the Gillygate area have the opportunity to input into the council’s thinking about what these solutions may look like.”
And Tony May, chair of York Civic Trust’s environment committee, said: “Gillygate has air pollution levels which have exceeded government thresholds for many years, and it is clear that much of that pollution is caused by traffic.
“We are pleased to have been able to support the Gillygate Area Air Quality Action Group, and the Council, in developing this trial and in designing the proposed surveys.
“We look forward to seeing the early results from the trial, which we hope will be an exemplar for what can be achieved across the city through the council’s movement and place plan.”