THE second phase of a major revamp of a key gateway into York will start next month.

City of York Council says Blossom Street will be better and safer for both road users and pedestrians thanks to the scheme.

The project, due to start in the week commencing March 5, will include the partial resurfacing of the carriageway and the widening and modernisation of pedestrian crossings.

Coun Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for City Strategy, said the works aimed to get York moving by improving access to the city and safety for all in a very difficult and congested area for pedestrians, cyclists, bus passengers and car drivers.

“It will also improve an end of life set of signals and road surfaces,” he said. The inbound bus stop near Reel Cinema will be extended and the shelters and cycle parking re-positioned, while a new shelter will be provided at the outbound bus stop for the number 3 and 4 buses.

Inbound and outbound cycle feeder lanes will be created in Blossom Street, and an inbound cycle lane in Holgate Road at Dalton Terrace, but there will be no change to the number of traffic lanes in Blossom Street.

The footway on the corner of Holgate Road will be widened, and a new stop-line and signals will be installed on inbound Holgate Road near to Holgate Villas to keep queuing traffic out of the bottle-neck at the end and improve air quality.

The authority says the first phase of the scheme in autumn 2010 included significant work near the junction with Queen Street near Micklegate Bar.