HALF a million pounds could be ploughed into a popular shopping street in York, in a bid to improve the appearance and boost trade.

Fossgate is in line for the £500,000 investment from City of York Council funds, which would open the way for the road to be resurfaced and the environment enhanced for shoppers and visitors.

The money would come from York council’s £2.2 million Built Environment Fund, and it is due to be agreed at an executive meeting this evening.

York Press:

At the same time, traders on the street are awaiting a decision on whether the one-way traffic flow on Fossgate will be reversed.

A consultation has been running asking people for their views on whether traffic should be allowed heading north along Fossgate towards Stonebow, instead of southwards. That consultation closed this week, and people in the area are now waiting to hear the outcome, and whether city councillors decide to go ahead with the plans.

Earlier this year they celebrated the news councillors had decided to approve a new metal sign welcoming people to the “Merchants’ Quarter”, against the advice of planners who said it was wrong for the historic area. The traders had argued the sign would be an improvement on an existing banner hung over the road, and would show people Fossgate was a street with “interest and utility”.

Elsewhere in the city shopping parades in both Acomb and Haxby could be in line for investment.

The same highways funding due to be confirmed this evening includes £100,000 to review the layout of the two shopping areas as well as “ways to achieve additional economic growth”.

There is also pot of £50,000 earmarked as “match funding” for cash the Business Improvement District (BID) wants to spend on new signage and wayfinding to help visitors get around York.

Similarly, £100,000 is set aside to improve the Park & Ride sites with things like better signs and smart ticketing.

In total the report sets out funding of more than £4 million for highways funding.

As reported in The Press yesterday, some of the money comes from unclaimed Lendal Bridge fine refunds and could be used to look into bringing a cycle hire scheme to York.

There is also money for bike path improvements, cycle parking at businesses, pot hole repairs and repairs to paths and roads after superfast broadband cables have been installed.

Tonight’s meeting will also see councillors asked to approve a new Park and Ride contract, and a shared-ownership homes project.