MORE than a thousand people have signed a petition over access concerns at York Central.

The landmark number of signatures on the petition follows an outline planning submission by York Central Partnership - a partnership between Homes England, Network Rail, City of York Council and the National Railway Museum - to build 2,500 new homes, offices, shops and expansion of the NRM with the creation of a new central gallery.

Tamsin Hart-Jones from York Central Partnership said the submission was "a huge step forward in the delivery of York Central", and she hoped the public would have their say on the scheme.

She said: "We would encourage as many people as possible to view the plans and make comments to the planning authority within the consultation period. This is part of playing an active role in how York Central evolves, as the masterplan is the blueprint for future development on the site, but what actually gets built can still be shaped."

While the development is expected to boost the local economy and create about 6,500 new jobs, the design is still causing concerns for some residents, particularly in the Leeman Road area.

The petition was set up by local campaigners and calls on developers to 'Keep Us Connected', with the guarantee of a round the clock, accessible and safe route through the museum.

Residents said they were worried about safety, being forced to use the river walk at night, or take a diversion through the new ‘great park’ when the museum was closed, with further concerns about the elderly and people with mobility issues not being able to manage the diverted route.

Local resident Emily Nelson said: "Local people are outraged that the museum wants to dictate when they can and can’t use the most direct route. This should make the museum think twice, although so far they don’t seem to be taking residents views seriously at all.

"If museum bosses don’t show that they are willing to listen to our concerns and work with the local community to find a solution, then they will quickly lose support for any type of expansion, whatever it looks like.”

Cllr Kallum Taylor, Holgate ward, said: "The fact that this petition even exists is a huge shame, but the Railway Museum and the York Central Partnership are yet to respond meaningfully to the concerns raised through other channels, and so this is one of few ways we have left to demonstrate the strength of feeling in the local community."

Further plans for new access at Water End and a road network is expected to be submitted next month, and the application can be viewed online at planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications