MOTORISTS have once again been banned from making a right turn out of Lendal, following the re-opening of Lendal Bridge to traffic.

But transport bosses say the road network has operated well without the ban and they will now look into whether it should be removed permanently.

For many years, drivers emerging from Lendal into Museum Street and wanting to head towards the Minster, Bootham and Gillygate were barred from turning right by City of York Council.

Instead, they had to turn left and face a lengthy diversion across the bridge to Station Rise, through the City Walls before turning right and coming back across the bridge to Museum Street.

But during the trial closure of the bridge to cars, motorbikes,lorries and vans between 10.30am and 5pm, the rules were changed and drivers had to turn right towards the Minster instead of left towards the bridge.

However, now that the trial closure of the bridge has been abandoned by the authority, the ban on right turns has been reinstated - at least for the time being.

Council director Darren Richardson said the Lendal Bridge trial had included an experimental traffic regulation order to remove the old ban on right turn bans in to Museum Street, and also from Museum Street into Library Square.

"The decision taken to end the trial and therefore withdraw the Experimental TRO means that both right turn bans have now been reinstated," he said.

“However, we recognise that the road network has operated well with the bans removed and many people will want to see this element of the Lendal Bridge trial retained.

"Officers have started a study to assess the impacts of permanently removing the right turn bans and could be in a position to make proposals for members to consider by June.”