YORK residents concerned about their estate becoming a rat-run for motorists trying to escape congestion will get the chance to voice their fears, councillors have promised.

They have fixed September 27 as the launch date of a consultation exercise on transport proposals for the Monk's Cross area, including new Park&Ride bus priorities along Malton Road, as well as cycle and pedestrian crossings.

The proposals aim to deal with heavy traffic in that part of York, as well as stopping drivers seeking out short cuts through the Straylands Grove area.

Measures could include an access only regulation for Straylands Grove, traffic calming, or an "intelligent" bollard, with residents using a pass to go through.

City of York Council's planning and transport advisory panel has given officers the go-ahead to start the three-week public consultation.

In 2001, it became clear that proposed developments in the Monk's Cross area would bring significantly more traffic onto Malton Road and the outer ring road.

The council developed a transport master plan to deal with the situation, as well as other ongoing highway problems in that area. It pulled together existing transport proposals such as Park&Ride, while also suggesting extra cycle, pedestrian and highway improvements.

A bus priority corridor along Malton Road also formed part of the plan.

An officers' report said that more traffic would increase delays between Jockey Lane and Heworth Road, causing bus journey times to become longer, and making the Park & Ride less reliable.

Proposals which will form part of the consultation include an inbound bus lane between the Jockey Lane roundabout and New Lane, and a toucan crossing for the Muncastergate area.

The consultation will run from September 27 to October 15, when there will also be a public exhibition in the area - the location has yet to be confirmed.

Leaflets detailing the proposals will also be posted to residents who are affected.

Updated: 11:00 Monday, September 06, 2004