COUNCIL chiefs will decide next week if they are to launch a review of traffic flows around York Station.

The problems in that area include the time it takes taxis to make their way around Tea Room Square, and hazards posed by cars emerging from the station.

Councillors will now choose whether it should be the focus of a full-scale analysis when they meet next Tuesday.

Taxi firms have met with Couns Ian Gillies and Sian Wiseman, who suggested the topic for a review, as well as engineering heads at the council. There were concerns about the length of time needed to get out of the square was putting “a significant fare on the meter” before vehicles even make it onto Station Road.

“This frustrates the passengers and does not give a good impression to visitors,” said a report which will go before the meeting.

“They also commented on the high flow of pedestrians across the two pedestrian crossings, problems turning left and right out of Tea Room Square and car passengers being dropped off in the short-stay car park, causing tailbacks.

“They report a significant problem with race-day buses, special event buses and rail replacement buses, as they indiscriminately park at bus stops displacing the regular services, which further contributes to the traffic congestion in the area.”

Among the suggestions put forward were creating more space for vehicles to turn left out of the square or providing a new lane into it, giving taxis a priority exit measure and putting signal controls in place for the short-stay car park.

The report said discussions had been held with Network Rail and East Coast, who were keen to see what could be done to improve traffic flows.