York secures £2 million towards A19 flood prevention funding
Issued by City of York Council
City of York Council has bid for and successfully secured millions in funding towards improving one of York’s key arterial routes which will now pave way for much needed flood prevention works, new signalisation and improved access at key junctions.
The council bid for a share of the £170 million government Pinch Point Funding earlier this year to protect the A19 from any future closure, following an unusual series of flood incidents in 2012 which resulted in the main road closing on three separate occasions. In comparison to a total of five days over the previous four years.
York will receive approximately £2 million from the Department for Transport towards the cost of the £4.7m project which will help towards supporting local transport schemes that tackle congestion and support growth.
The remaining funding will be provided from the private sector and existing council transport budgets.
Key elements of the proposals are to introduce a new left turn free flow lane from A19 into the Designer Outlet Park&Ride; inbound bus priority lanes on the A19 between A64 and Germany Beck, and bus priorities at the Naburn Lane junction and an enhanced junction at the proposed Germany Beck development.
The scheme will complement and enhance the improvements planned to be provided as part of the Germany Beck development, which will create new access to the site and raise the height of the road to be above flood levels.
Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability said: “This is fantastic news for York. The A19 is a key arterial route into the city centre and we’ve seen it close three times in the last year, which causes major disruption and impacts negatively on businesses and public transport.
“By carrying out these flood and surface water drainage improvements on this section it will support the Germany Beck development and potential growth in the area to future proof Yorks fast growing communities.
In addition to supporting one of the largest housing developments in York, funding will also improve access to Designer Outlet Park&Ride and bus journey times into York city centre.
“This should make the Park&Ride and Selby buses more attractive and help us to get more people out of their cars, relieving congestion and improving air quality in the Fulford Road / Fishergate corridor which is a pollution hot spot.”
There will be consultation on the proposed scheme details and the aim is to start construction towards the end of 2014.
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