York MP Rachael Maskell has joined the chorus of criticism over plans to halve a new safe cycle route in the city.
As we reported last week, the route has been cut from 1.5 miles to 0.6 miles.
It comes after the Government awarded City of York Council funding to deliver the 1.5-mile Acomb Road Active Travel scheme to improved cycling infrastructure along Acomb Road.
The MP has been told that preliminary designs for the full 1.5-mile scheme were shared with local councillors this January.
But the council now wants to slash the scheme by more than half, leaving just a 0.6m section of road, ruling out improvements on one of most dangerous and heavily used sections of the route.
“With the arrival of the new Active Travel England Agency, York has the opportunity to be an exemplar walking and cycling city.
“At present, however, the council seems resistant to change, and the people of this city continue to be badly let down by their fragmented approach to cycling provision that leaves vulnerable road users with absolutely no support on some of our busiest and most dangerous roads and junctions.
“The scheme doesn’t even join up to the orbital cycle route.”
Labour Holgate councillor and shadow transport spokesperson Rachel Melly said: “We are extremely unhappy that to find the council are instead planning to cut this vital scheme.
“This area is home to many major roads that can make it very challenging for local people to get around safely by bike and road.
“It is essential that the council does not drop but delivers these vital improvement schemes, to support local businesses and the environment, and also to improve quality of life for our community.”
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City of York Council said no firm decisions had been made, with executive member for transport, Andy D’Agorne, set to hold a meeting on active travel schemes today (Monday).