York cycle sign taken down days after it was installed – over fears it was unlawful

Now you see it, now you don’t…

A new cycle lane sign installed on a York city centre street had to be removed after it was pointed out it obscured other key signage.

Two blue cycle lane signs were put up on Coppergate a little over a week ago. The move came soon after City of York Council’s transport lead Cllr Andy D’Agorne agreed to make the street permanently one way, except for cyclists.

However, after the cycle lane signs were installed at the Pavement end of Coppergate, it was pointed out they obscured signs behind. Critically, these warn motorists they are banned from driving along Coppergate during the day.

As one YorkMix reader put it: “The new blue signs have been put up in front of the prohibitive signs so any motorist could argue against any fines!”

Now, the cycle lane sign on the right looking from Pavement has been removed. The one on the left, which still appears to partially obscure the ‘no entry’ sign behind, has been retained.

James Gilchrist, City of York Council’s environment, transport and planning director, said: “The council was made aware of the issues around Coppergate signs, following which we have now taken down the cycle signs at the entrance to Coppergate that obstructed the ‘no entry’ signs for drivers.”

The council added that the “road will be subject to a road safety audit, which will determine future arrangements”.

Concerns that motorists might make a legal challenge to fines issued in York recall the Lendal Bridge debacle.

Thousands of drivers were fined a total of £1.3m for driving over the bridge when it was subjected to a trial closure to traffic between August 2013 and April 2014.

They were offered refunds after a traffic penalty tribunal ruled the council had no power to issue the fines, largely because the signage was inadequate.