• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Things to do
  • Radio
  • More
    • Food & drink
    • Business
  • About
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
  • Radio
  • WIN
  • Vouchers
  • Choice Awards
  • Listen live »
An evening with Tommy Cannon

Cutting space for cars at key York junction ‘won’t cause much congestion’

The Gillygate-Bootham junction. Photograph: City of York Council
Tue 30 Mar, 2021 @ 7.57 am Transport Chloe Laversuch - Local Democracy Reporter

A survey on planned changes to the junction at Bootham Bar, Gillygate and Lord Mayor’s Walk closes on Wednesday.

There are two options – both would see traffic lights upgraded but one proposal would add a pedestrian crossing, take out a lane of traffic and cause “significant traffic increases” according to the designers.

But York Civic Trust traffic experts say the impact would not be as bad as town planners warn. They say drivers will find another route – adding that they may use the outer ring road instead.

The council says option B would be better for walkers and cyclists but would cut car space at the junction by 30 per cent.

But a spokesperson for the Civic Trust said their own research suggests problems will be minor, adding: “Our findings confirm that the capacity of the junction would be reduced, but only by around 15 per cent, because vehicles would be using it more efficiently.

“We predict that up to a sixth of drivers would take routes which avoid the junction and the city centre, in many cases using the outer ring road.”

They add that residents living in the area are understandably worried about increases in pollution – adding: “Our assessment suggests that the main reductions in traffic would be on Bootham and St Leonard’s Place, with little change on Gillygate.”

‘Much-needed improvements’

Option B

York Civic Trust said said: “We strongly support the principle of this second option, which offers the potential for much needed improvements to public realm in this historically important location.

“The council, in its consultation on upgrading the outer ring road last year made clear that one of its objectives was to “encourage traffic out of the city centre.

“We agree that this would be a major benefit of the ring road upgrade, and argue that it is sensible, in any redesign of city centre junctions, to allow for, enable and encourage such diversion.

Thirsk Races
Thirsk Races #Ad

“The council’s second option for this junction would achieve this.

“We suggest that the design of this enhancement could be further enhanced for both cyclists and pedestrians.

“For cyclists we would like to see advanced stop lines, as at Micklegate Bar, so that cyclists can enter this awkward junction ahead of vehicles, and potentially a new route into the junction from High Petergate.

“For pedestrians we suggest that the length of St Leonard’s Place between Exhibition Square and Bootham Bar might be repaved, to emphasise that this historic location is a place to be in, rather than simply to pass through.”

Take part in the consultation here.

Tue 30 Mar, 2021

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2023 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT