Traffic plans for city’s £14m secondary site

3:50pm Sunday 7th September 2008

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HIGHWAYS chiefs in York are set to approve traffic plans around a new £14 million secondary school for west York.

The plans for the roads around the new Manor CE School, in Millfield Lane, include introducing a 20mph School Safety Zone in Millfield Lane, widening the existing segregated pedestrian and cycle path and putting in a lowering bollard to allow bus and emergency vehicle access through an existing Low Poppleton Lane road closure.

Low Poppleton Lane, in Acomb, is currently closed to through-traffic, but City of York Council is set to replace the fixed bollards. The move will entail diverting the existing bus service off the A59, in a bid to reduce existing delays due to congestion. The bollards will not allow any other kind of vehicle access to the lane.

Members of the city strategy advisory panel will meet on Monday to discuss the scheme, which has been recommended for approval by officers.

But Acomb ward councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing feels there are a number of modifications which need to be made. She said: “On Low Poppleton Lane, serious consideration must be given to the issue of drainage. “The construction of the cycle track, widening of the footpath and removal of grass verges must take this into account to ensure there is not increased water run-off, making nearby properties more susceptible to flooding. I still question the requirement for an Off Road Cycle Path on such a quiet road.

“On Boroughbridge Road, heading towards its junction with Beckfield Lane from Holgate, the bus stop could safely be situated nearer to the junction, which would be nearer to the school. Combined with this, I would like officers to look at the need for a left-hand turn lane on the inward-bound carriageway.”

Coun Simpson-Laing thinks the proposal for an off-road cycle path on Beckfield Lane is flawed and that residents concerns have been totally ignored. She said: “Residents and councillors have been saying for some time that plans for a cycle path for the first part of Beckfield Lane is unnecessary and unsafe and will encourage cyclists to remain on the pavement when it ends. “Something similar to a safe cycle crossing point, as seen at many junctions in York, at the junction with Boroughbridge Road where cyclists enter and exit the crossing by a short section of ‘off road path’ would be much more sensible considering the usage it will get. I hope officers give this proposal serious consideration.”

The application will be discussed by councillors at the city strategy meeting will be held in the Guildhall at 5pm on Monday.