HIGHWAYS chiefs are to take advantage of major sewer repairs in York’s Fishergate to carry out a range of road safety improvements.

The Yorkshire Water sewer project, which was originally due to start on Monday, will now begin on Monday, January 31.

The scheme to repair Victorian sewers in danger of collapse will last for up to 12 weeks and seems set to cause major disruption for motorists coming into York along the A19 from Selby and the A64, with traffic diverted along Cemetery Road.

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said a series of improvements were planned between Cemetery Road and Fishergate School while the sewer repairs were happening, including the widening of footways, installation of a zebra crossing outside Fishergate Primary School and environmental improvements.

There would also be consultations about a possible 20mph speed limit round St George’s RC Primary School and Fishergate Primary School.

Fishergate councillor Andy D’Agorne said the works were a welcome third phase of a package of improvements to the Fulford Road and Fishergate corridor.

He said the widening of the footway on the school side of the road from Fishergate School to St George’s School would make it safer for parents walking to and from school with their children, and the proper zebra crossing outside Fishergate School would help the school crossing patrol.

The Green councillor revealed there would also be some landscaping of a large traffic island near Fishergate School, which would hopefully make it “less of an urban desert.”

He said: “While it has taken a long time to achieve, most of Fulford Road is now far safer and more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists and I very much hope that once Fishergate reopens, it will be a safer, more liveable street for everyone.”