YORK has taken a step closer to creating a people-friendly city by extending its pedestrianised centre.

City councillors last night unanimously agreed to turn High Petergate into a pedestrian area - ignoring objections from residents, business, cyclists and taxi drivers.

It brings High Petergate into line with other city centre streets, where pedestrians are given top priority over cars and cycles.

The decision followed a survey in which 500 people at five points in the city centre were asked whether the scheme was a good or a bad idea, bearing in mind the loss of car parking and access.

Six out of 10 gave it the thumbs up, two out of 10 were opposed and the rest said they did not know.

Councillors dismissed a plea from Ron Healey, of the Cyclists' Touring Club, to allow people on bikes to have access to the street.

But they welcomed an offer from Civic Trust chairman, John Shannon, to pay for work to the portcullis at Bootham Bar so it could be raised and lowered for historic effect.

And they gave a concession to the doctor's surgery in High Petergate to allow disabled patients and doctors to have access by cars to the street.

Coun Dave Merrett, chairman of the planning and transport committee, welcomed the scheme.

He said: "I think this will bring an enormous improvement to High Petergate.

"I recognise there are mixed views about this, but, on balance, if this does go forward they will see a benefit there."

Councillors also backed a traffic-calming scheme for Bishophill.

They agreed to install two road humps in Fetter Lane and a speed table at the western end of Bishophill Junior.

The scheme will be paid for from a £9,000 budget made available by the Bishophill Neighbourhood Forum.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.