DRIVERS using a York road have found their journeys impeded - by a new bus stop.

This picture shows the build-up of vehicles behind a bus in Fulford Road after City of York Council built a new stop which "juts" out into one lane of the single-carriageway road instead of providing a lay-by stop.

The new arrangement means that buses no longer have to pull in and out of lay-bys on the busy route, but it is claimed that cars are now unable to get past buses while they are taking on passengers.

A council spokesman today denied suggestions that the stop was adding to traffic congestion.

One local businessman, who asked not to be named, contacted the Evening Press to say: "From what I am led to believe, the reasoning behind the stop is so the bus doesn't have to exit a bus stop. I would deny suggestions that it doesn't hold up traffic."

A spokesman for City of York Council said: "This is one of several stops around the city being upgraded to make it easier and quicker for bus passengers to board and alight, as part of the contribution to improving public transport services in the city.

"This particular arrangement was chosen here to guarantee buses close access to the kerb without the need to remove kerbside parking spaces.

"At this location there is still sufficient road width to allow traffic to pass in both directions while a bus is at the stop."

Peter Edwards, commercial manager with First York, said: "This is also in place along Hull Road. They are built out on a peninsula so the bus doesn't have to pull in.

"Sometimes authorities can use them as traffic calming measures that hold up other traffic, but it is not something we have asked for. We are, however, all for anything that improves road safety."

Updated: 11:12 Tuesday, October 22, 2002