MOTORISTS can expect lengthy delays and diversions when a key York city centre junction is closed for resurfacing.

Council chiefs said work would begin to resurface the carriageway at the Blossom Street and Queen Street junction from Wednesday.

That will mean Nunnery Lane will be shut between Blossom Street and Scarcroft Lane and Micklegate will be closed between Queen Street and Bar Lane, from 7pm on Wednesday to 7am on Thursday.

It will also be shut during the same times between Sunday, June 5 and Thursday, June 9.

The new disruptions follow a similar resurfacing project at Skeldergate Bridge - a scheme that caused widespread delays in the city centre.

The Skeldergate works will be completed on Saturday.

Tarmac Northern Ltd will be carrying out the work for the council, which involves removing the existing worn out surface and relaying a new tarmac surface.

The finished job is intended to produce a better running surface.

Temporary traffic lights will be used on the remaining route through Blossom Street and Queen Street.

A signed diversion route will be in operation as the resurfacing work is carried out.

The council has warned drivers to allow greater time for their journeys as "some delays may occur".

Bus passengers may be spared traffic agony, as York company First thinks it will be spared much of the effects.

Peter Edwards, commercial director, said: "We are working closely with the city council to make sure we can minimise any delays to our services.

"But, on first look, we would not expect there to be any significant effects from this work."

The diversion will run through Prices Lane, Bishopgate Street, Tower Street, Clifford Street, Nessgate, Low Ousegate, Bridge Street, Micklegate, George Hudson Street, Rougier Street, Station Road and Queen Street.

Coun Ann Reid, City of York Council's planning and transport chief, said: "This junction is in a very poor state.

"It is dangerous for cyclists at the moment - certainly turning from Blossom Street into Queen Street.

"There will be delays for motorists but that's why the work is being carried out overnight.

"There are times when the network needs to be repaired and we try to do that for everyone's convenience."

Royal Ascot to leave city legacy of works

THE traffic plan which aims to save York from roads chaos during Royal Ascot could be wheeled out for other major Knavesmire events.

An experimental traffic order, advertised today, reveals the restrictions that will be put in place when York Racecourse holds the event from June 14 to 18.

The order comes into force on June 6, but will not end until October 31, 2006. City of York Council bosses today said the length of the order meant parts of the scheme could be re-used.

The move was backed by York bus company First, which sees some of its services severely disrupted on race days.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are just being prepared. We are treating the Royal Ascot at York meeting as a way of learning how we could manage York meetings in a better way. Some £55,000 of the cost of the traffic and travel arrangements provides us with a permanent legacy of work that we can use at York race meetings and other major events on the course. "

The Royal Ascot plan will see all race traffic funnelled in and out of York through the A64. There will also be parking restrictions in the streets surrounding the racecourse - with South Bank made permit only.

Council and Ascot bosses hope that by keeping the majority of cars outside the immediate Knavesmire area, the city centre can avoid gridlock, although bosses have admitted there will still be congestion.

Peter Edwards, First commercial director, said it would support any moves that could help ease the journey for passengers.

Mr Edwards said: "For a long time we have been vexed by the amount of disruption that race traffic causes. People who are not going to the races need to get around and if this can provide us with a solution for other race meetings then we are all for it."

Updated: 11:09 Friday, May 27, 2005