A WELL-KNOWN rat run is set to be closed in York.

City of York Council say that, following consultation of residents and businesses earlier this year, work will start soon to make Navigation Road one way for a short stretch just after the junction with Rosemary Place and the entrance to Rowntree Wharf car park, with traffic only allowed to travel southbound.

The road is used by some drivers as a cut through to avoid waiting at the lights at Walmgate Bar and traffic in Foss Islands Road.

The new one way section will run between two segregated cycle lanes in both directions. Traffic leaving the city centre must exit via Walmgate Bar rather than through the residential area.

Work is due to get underway on Monday, October 4 and is planned to be completed in five days with work carried out from 8am-4pm from Monday to Friday.

During the construction, there will be no access to the section of road between Rosemary Place and Rowntree Wharf. Diversions and road closure will be signposted with access for residents and pedestrians maintained where possible.

Following the completion of the works, the low traffic neighbourhood trial period will last for a minimum of six months, and can continue as an experiment for up to 18 months. An evaluation of the scheme will then be brought to the Executive Member for Transport for consideration to make the scheme permanent.

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport, said: “Road safety is paramount if we want to encourage more residents and commuters to get around York sustainably. We have heard the concerns of road users and residents in the Navigation Road area and this low traffic neighbourhood scheme will help address and alleviate some of the issues raised through the consultation process earlier this year.

“I am pleased to see the benefits this scheme will bring to safety for pedestrians and cyclist travelling to and through the area including increased visibility at junctions, segregated lanes in both directions and the benefit of reduced through-traffic on the road. I look forward to hearing residents’ feedback throughout the trial.”

If members of the public have questions or concerns about the scheme they can contact a member of the design team by emailing the project inbox at:  navigationroad.improvements@york.gov.uk