DISGRUNTLED householders who blockaded their street to stop it being used as a rat-run have failed to get it closed to motorists.

Residents of Westminster Road, Clifton, York, had called for a closure to prevent drivers using their street and The Avenue to avoid the traffic lights at Clifton Green.

But Coun Steve Galloway, City of York Council’s transport boss, has rejected the idea of a closure after officials said people in neighbouring streets were less keen on the idea.

He said a deciding factor was that any closure would lead to more traffic at Clifton Green, saying: “This could have a significant adverse effect on congestion levels in the Clifton Green area”.

Instead, Coun Galloway will ask police to monitor the junctions in the area, to combat bad driving practices.

He also approved a new 20mph zone in the street, even though he said it was “unlikely” to reduce traffic levels. He said the move would address some residents’ concerns about speeding, but Labour’s Coun Roger Pierce and Tory Coun Ben Hudson criticised the move, saying speed was not an issue.

The Westminster Road residents have been lobbying for action since work at Clifton Green last year which saw one lane given over to cyclists.

They say more motorists have been using their streets to avoid queues. Coun Galloway made the decision at The Guildhall on Tuesday.

At the same meeting, he also approved changes to the junction at Fulford Park, off Fulford Road.

An original suggestion of narrowing the junction to improve pedestrian safety has been rejected, amid concerns over access for motorists.

A new dropped-kerb crossing will instead be provided, a move that was welcomed by local councillor Keith Aspden.

Meanwhile, calls for the re-routing of the Number 5 bus, which serves Holgate, were rejected by Coun Galloway.

He said further upheaval, following service changes last year, would risk inconveniencing a large number of passengers.