SPEED limits are set to be cut in four areas of York over the next year under plans drawn up by transport bosses.

Money is expected to be made available in City of York Council’s programme of work for 2010/11 to introduce 20mph zones in the Holly Bank area, Westminster Road, Low Poppleton Road and Millfield Lane.

The authority will also study a string of petitions and requests for similar measures on other parts of the city and decide which should be made a priority, as well as setting funding aside for implementing a trial zone in the South Bank area.

Officers have recommended taking the four schemes forward, in a report ahead of a decision session for the council’s executive member for city strategy, Coun Steve Galloway, next month.

The estimated cost of consultation exercises, advertising the speed restrictions and putting up the necessary signs have been put at £3,500 for Holly Bank, £2,800 for Low Poppleton Lane and Millfield Lane and £750 for Westminster Road, which residents claim has become a dangerous “rat-run” since the completion of the nearby Water End cycle lane scheme.

A South Bank trial would cost about £45,000, but is dependent on the outcome of a consultation process which requires at least 50 per cent of households to support the scheme – a requirement which some local councillors have criticised as too stringent.

The report also said: “It would seem appropriate to consider Newlands Drive, Lidgett Grove, Ouseburn Avenue, Cranbrook Road and Millgates [in the Boroughbridge Road area] as part of a wider 20mph speed limit area.

“Unless additional funding can be found for this area scheme, it is unlikely that it can be funded in 2010/11, but it is currently prioritised for delivery in 2011/12. If, however, the ward committee wishes to fund the scheme as a local priority, it could be progressed sooner.”