On the road to an upgrade?

Parts of York’s outer ring road, which regularly doubles as an orbital car park at rush hour, may be finally be widened.

City of York Council is expected to endorse plans to become part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority at a meeting next week (December 3).

This would unlock Government funding worth up to £1 billion for York and West Yorkshire’s transport and economic infrastructure.

Cllr James Alexander, leader of City of York Council, said: “This government flagship policy is a big step forward that could see us access funding to see a major upgrade on York’s outer ring road. We are putting aside political differences to make this work.”

The new partnership could see York’s transport infrastructure benefit from a wide package of improvement schemes worth around £83.5 million over the next ten years, including:

• an increased capacity on the northern sections the Northern Outer Ring Road
• creating the city’s first bus interchange next to York Station by demolishing Queen Street Bridge, and providing further access to the York Central development
• creating a bus lane on the A19 and improved access to the Designer Outlet Park & Ride
• providing full Park & Ride coverage of the city, including Clifton Moor Park & Ride

Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and sustainability, said: “We are already starting the preliminary work for the northern outer ring road upgrade scheme, which along with the important city public transport schemes are key components of the proposed £83.5 million transport package.”