AMBITIOUS plans to improve access for people using York station are to be considered by councillors.

A £183,000 scheme to build a new taxi-rank and construct better walking and cycling facilities is to come before planning and transport councillors next week.

The project, agreed after detailed consultation between City of York Council and GNER, aims to address what a report to councillors calls "many of the shortcomings of the current layout".

The report says that "it has long been acknowledged that, given the many diverse uses to which the area in front of the railway station is subject, the way in which the space is utilised is poor".

The council scheme, which would be paid for through the capital programme, would see the existing taxi rank in the middle of Station Road removed and replaced with a new rank, with an extra feeder rank for Station Taxis in Tea Room Square.

The removal of the existing rank would allow cycle lanes to be introduced and would see a pedestrian crossing built at the south end of the station front.

Other measures would see improvements to bus stops, improvements to pedestrian access to the station and the reversing of traffic flow through the station portico.

It is hoped the latter measure would stop the constant build up of traffic which accumulates during busy times at the station.

If the scheme is approved, as officers are recommending, consultation would soon begin with residents, railway station users and other affected parties.

GNER company spokesman David Mallender said: "We are very much in favour of the scheme as being presented to the committee.

"It would improve access to the station and certainly make it safer and easier for pedestrians approaching the station. It would also simplify vehicle access to and from the station car parks."

Updated: 14:09 Thursday, October 03, 2002