TRANSPORT bosses are expected to press ahead tomorrow with plans to re-impose traffic bans in a city centre street.

The Coppergate restrictions are due to be discussed by City of York Council's ruling executive tomorrow [Thursday], and ruling councillors are likely to approve plans to once again ban cars from the street during the day.

Restrictions were first made on access to Coppergate many years ago, but were abandoned when the row blew up over cameras used to catch drivers and send out fines during the Lendal Bridge trial closure in 2013 and 2014.

Last autumn councillors confirmed that they wanted to bring the rules back, and the report they will debate tomorrow shows some changes, to shorten the restricted period to 8am to 6pm daily, instead of 7am to 7pm.

They are also being urged to use better, clearer signage, and have a extended consultation period to make sure more people know about the restrictions before they become active and have a chance to make objections or suggestions.

Tony Clarke, the council's head of transport, said in a written report: "Because this matter had previously generated much interest it is suggested to carry out consultation beyond the legal requirement and the usual extended consultation that the city normally carries out.

"The proposed additional consultation measures are: double the period to make objections to six weeks and extend the number of organisations directly mailed with the proposals."

The transport department want to contact all the emergency services, bus and taxi firms, businesses on the street and their delivery firms, cycling groups and others about the restrictions before they go live.

Bringing the Coppergate traffic ban back in is part of a wider push to tackle congestion in the city, leading councillors have said.

Ian Gillies, the executive member for transport, said in May that he could see the restrictions starting further down Piccadilly or Pavement in the future, and tying in with the pedestrianisation of Fossgate, where traders have long been asking for a traffic ban.