SPECIAL arrangements had to be made for blue-light paramedics as York Hospital traffic suffered the brunt of the closure of Gillygate.

Hospital staff and patients were caught up in tailbacks yesterday, forcing City of York Council to alter nearby traffic signals to keep vehicles moving.

Hospital bosses re-routed ambulances through Bootham Park Hospital, and deployed car park attendants to ease traffic flow.

Meanwhile, businesses are counting the cost on trade as Gillygate is closed for resurfacing work between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, until November 11.

Neil Thomas, of Shine, Gillygate, said: "I think they could have squeezed the work into one week without upsetting residents too much by extending one hour in the morning and evening. We are losing out on window trade from passing vehicles."

He said afternoon business was particularly quiet.

"There was not a soul about at 3pm. There's been a lot of noise and dust. You see people scurrying past. Hopefully, they realise businesses are open as usual."

Ray Chaplin, council head of engineering consultancy, said the main problem was the volume of traffic bound for York Hospital car park.

"There are tailbacks up Wigginton Road and into town towards Lord Mayor's Walk. The hospital have car park attendants to clear the car park more effectively. We have modified traffic signals at Crichton Avenue to assist traffic leaving the city so cars can get out of the car park."

A York Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman said: "Staff, patients and visitors are experiencing some difficulties, due to the closure of Gillygate and build up of traffic in the city. The delays will have a knock-on effect for the hospital.

"Emergency blue light ambulance access to York Hospital from the Clifton side of the city has been re-routed through Bootham Park Hospital."

Celia Hammond, of Craft Basics, Gillygate, said: "This is the worst time of year for us because we are really busy as everyone starts making Christmas presents."

John Oglesby, of The Collection, said: "It is exceptionally quiet. I wish they could have left it until after Christmas. We are very reliant on Christmas trade."

Steve Gibson, of Kaos Party, said: "Work started on Halloween. They couldn't have picked a worse day for us. But we rely on people who come to rent party costumes. It is Halloween season and people would climb over diggers to get to them."

Peter Edwards, First commercial director, said increased traffic through Clifford Street and across Coppergate had caused some delays, and frequent services were having to wait for stops already occupied, particularly on Low Ousegate and Stonebow.

Leeman Road traffic was not as heavy as predicted, enabling Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride service to run as usual.

We asked people whether the closure of Gillygate was causing them problems

Helen Harvey, 20, a student, of Osbaldwick, said: "It has not affected me so far at all. I didn't really notice any difference this morning."

Rebecca Garbutt, 20, a student, of Leeds, said: "I have had to take another route to college which actually turned out to be quicker.

Lesley Grove, 42, a clerical officer, of Clifton, said: "It does not affect me too much because I walk to work."

Terry Gallogly, 67, retired, from Huntington, said: "It is inconvenient as far as the bus service is concerned because it is a slower service to the station.

Updated: 14:20 Wednesday, November 02, 2005