AN AMBITIOUS action plan costing £170,000 is being proposed for Bishopthorpe to combat race day traffic and protect schoolchildren.

Proposals have been drawn up in response to residents' comments in a £20,000 village traffic study conducted in Bishopthorpe, Rufforth and Strensall.

External consultants say issues that need tackling in Bishopthorpe include the speed and volume of traffic passing through the village, particularly on race days, and the number of heavy lorries.

They recommend the introduction of a 20mph School Safety Zone to protect children when traffic is heaviest at the beginning and end of the day.

Other measures include speed reduction in other parts of the village, new pedestrian crossings, modified junctions and improved signing.

The consultants' report comes after City of York Council decided to make a systematic study of village traffic problems in an effort to respond to the many complaints it had about the difficulties faced in outlying districts.

Villagers have been given questionnaires to state their biggest concerns and other local bodies have been consulted.

The proposals will be considered by councillors at a meeting of the Planning and Transport sub-committee on Thursday.

Assistant development and transport director Bill Woolley warns the plan is costly and may need to be implemented over the long term, possibly with cash help from sources outside the local authority.

He adds that the parish council might "entirely at its discretion" feel it could help towards money for some of the proposals.

His report to the committee says: "It is considered very important to fully involve the parish council in the consultation process and the subsequent development of an action plan for the village.

"A joint sense of ownership between the city and parish councils is felt essential if the action plan is to achieve its full potential to act as a catalyst for positive changes in the village.

"As specific proposals come forward some consultation will be required."

If councillors approve, the next stage of the consultation will be an exhibition at a venue in Bishopthorpe.

This will allow residents to look at detailed plans for the proposals and speak to council officers about how they will be implemented.