New restrictions on outbound vehicle traffic through Micklegate Bar could be in the pipeline following an Executive decision session for transport and planning meeting on 13 September.
A successful full road closure was put in place last year at Micklegate Bar as part of a £1.5million restoration scheme to preserve and protect York’s medieval city walls, and a call to close it to outbound traffic was debated at a Full Council meeting on 19 July.
Following these events a report is now being taken to the transport and planning decision session meeting on 13 September to take forward proposals to make traffic through the bar one way.
If the report is approved, a consultation will be initiated and an experimental Traffic Regulation order (TRO) put in place at the same time for a maximum of 18 months which, depending on the outcome of the consultation, could be made permanent.
The TRO will help test the benefits of restricting vehicles in Micklegate and will allow the local community and businesses the opportunity to experience the changes before making representations.
During this 18month period, there will be an outbound road closure only (cycle access will be available in both directions). This means the road will be open to inbound traffic through Micklegate Bar from Blossom Street/Nunnery Lane/Queen Street.
Cllr Peter Dew, executive member for transport and planning at City of York Council, said: “We want to hear from residents, traders and retailers on if we take the new restrictions forward and if approved, how to take advantage of the reduced traffic in the area. We hope this will encourage even more pedestrians to shop down Micklegate too.”
The decision session takes place on Thursday 13 September at West Offices from 2pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch later online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts
To find out more about the report, or to attend, visit: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=738&MId=10859.