SIXTY-three new signs could be installed throughout the city centre and car parks could be improved under draft budget plans.

Financial plans to be discussed by senior councillors on Thursday, February 14, include putting £330,000 towards upgrading car parks, spending £495,000 on renewing the pavement on Stonegate, £180,000 to improve the electricity supply at Shambles Market and £25,000 to look at modernising the market.

And a total of between £350,000 and £700,000 from the council and the rest funded by York Business Improvement District (BID) - could be spent on removing 60 heritage signs from the city and replacing them with new signs.

Andrew Lowson, director of York BID, said: “We understand this budget still needs to be voted on by full council, but our initial impression is there is positive news for businesses.

“It is a key part of the BID’s mandate to improve both car parking and way-finding and signage in the city. Over the past two years we have worked with the council on strategies for these two areas, and we have put budget aside to make them happen.

“We hope these budget headlines are realised, so that we can pool our contributions and get on with making tangible improvements.”

A report prepared for the council’s executive meeting today, Thursday, says under the plans Nunnery Lane, Piccadilly, Marygate, Castle, Bishopthorpe Road, Monk Bar and Union Terrace car park would be “brought up to an acceptable standard”.

Work would include resurfacing, improving lighting and signs and updating ticket machines.

And as part of a new “way-finding scheme”, 35 totems, 14 “fingerpost” and 13 wall signs could be installed from spring.

Stonegate could also be “reconstructed” after the pavement suffered severe damage during the winter. The street would be surfaced with new York Stone paving and a granite drain would be installed.

The report says: “Improving the infrastructure will better enhance the city centre and the overall visiting experience. The existing York Stone in Stonegate will be lifted and stored for maintenance elsewhere in the city.”

In 2016 there was uproar after dozens of damaged flags in the famous street were replaced by a temporary patchwork of black asphalt.

The financial plans also include proposals to upgrade the food court and power supply at Shambles Market. An architect would be asked to look at creating a “modern, attractive, adaptable, weather resistant structure” to safeguard the future of the market and encourage new start up businesses to open.

The site currently only has a 110v electricity supply but this can only power basic lighting, meaning some traders can struggle to refrigerate and heat food. Under the plans, a 240v power supply would be installed.

The budget will be discussed at a meeting at West Offices at 5.30pm.