NEW road plans designed to reduce queues on one of York’s congestion black-spots have been unveiled.

City of York Council wants to hear people’s comments on £1 million plans for extra lanes and better traffic lights at Fulford and Crockey Hill, in a bid to ease rush-hour congestion heading south out of York.

More than 20,000 vehicles use the route every day and at times more than 1,200 vehicles use the junction every hour in one direction, which often causes queues and sections of the A19 to block. It is particularly busy in the evenings, causing a pinch-point with traffic backing up along the A64 and the A19 into Fulford.

The plans include:

- Widening the A19 southbound approaching Wheldrake Lane at Crockey Hill, adding a new outbound lane

- Widening the A19 southbound at Crockey Hill, making it two-lanes for a stretch south of the junction

- Improving traffic lights at the A64/A19 junction

- Changing off road bike and footpaths.

Cllr Ian Gillies, executive member for transport, said: “These improvements will reduce the time sitting in traffic on the A19 southbound by up to five minutes and will substantially reduce the length of queues on this stretch of road in the evening peak.

“This scheme is entirely government funded and has already helped to reduce congestion northbound through the earlier phase one. We hope this will be replicated in the phase two southbound scheme.”

The plans will be open for comments all through May, before Cllr Gillies will make a decision in a public meeting. To comment, visit www.york.gov.uk/a19, email a19pinchpoint@york.gov.uk, or ring the council on 01904 551550.