SAFETY checks are to be carried out on a one-way street where cyclists could be allowed to ride towards oncoming traffic.

Transport chiefs at City of York Council agreed in December to consult over a contra-flow cycle lane in Tanner Row, between North Street and Rougier Street, to make it easier for the authority’s staff and visitors to cycle to and from its new HQ at West Offices.

North Yorkshire Police has said the move could put cyclists at risk because drivers and pedestrians may be confused about the new arrangements.

The council says it has received only one response to the public consultation and engineers will carry out a road safety audit this week. If approved, the contra-flow lane is due to come into force next month.

Resident Andrew Clark, in an objection letter to the council, said the changes would “endanger the lives of cyclists” because of the road’s layout.

He said cyclists would be forced to use the wrong side of the road when delivery vehicles were loading and unloading and would be directly in the line of traffic heading the other way, and described the proposals as “ridiculous”.

Council officials have said Tanner Row had good visibility and adequate signs and new road markings would be used to raise awareness.