A19 roundabout a success

new A19 roundabout


Observations over the last 8 weeks have found that congestion at the A1237/A19 junction has substantially reduced since the newly remodelled roundabout was opened. For the first time for several years there is now “free flow” for vehicles travelling west to east through the junction – other than at peak periods. Delays on the A19 have also been substantially reduced.
East to west delays are also down but the main relief for this journey will only be realised when the A59 roundabout is also enlarged. This part of the scheme is dependant on funding for the “Access York” Park and Ride programme which is currently being assessed by central government. A decision is expected towards the end of the year.
There was a lot of opposition to improving the A1237 from Labour and Green councillors. They were wrong in this case.
Similarly, the improvements at the Blossom Street/Queen Street junction have reduced delays and traffic engineers in the City can take a lot of credit for both schemes. They maximise the capacity of a highways network which , in York, is always going to be constrained by the historic layout of our streets, the rivers and – of course –the level of funding available for improvements