DRAMATIC alterations to the front of York Railway Station have moved a step forward - despite concern and confusion over how the new transport scheme is going to work.

Plans to improve bus stops, taxi ranks, pedestrian crossings and walkways and cycling routes in Station Road were last night discussed by City of York Council planning and transport (city centre area) sub-committee which recommended that the director of environment and development services, Roy Templeman, approve the scheme.

But members were concerned that when some of the changes were introduced, such as taxis driving into the station portico from the opposite direction they currently do, it would be "mayhem".

Councillor Janet Greenwood said concerns were raised in previous meetings about the traffic flow change of direction, but she said they were never taken seriously.

She said: "They (cars) are going to be coming in from both ways, it's going to be mayhem."

There was also concern that the plans were moving forward before bus drivers had been consulted. A meeting between officers and bus operators in the city was taking place in York today.

Councillor Ann Reid said: "I don't see how we can approve something today when we are having a consultation with some major players tomorrow."

Councillor Janet Looker said: "I would certainly pick up Ann's point that before we take a categorical decision there is enough time for the comments of the bus companies to be taken on board, I think that would be appropriate."

The plans would see the taxi rank relocated from the middle of Station Road in front of the station portico, signal-controlled pedestrian crossing at the south end of the station and better management of bus stops.

Updated: 11:14 Friday, April 04, 2003