Fossgate traffic; “We cocked it up” admits Council

The Council is taking urgent action to change access arrangements on Fossgate and part of Walmgate.

It follows complaints from residents and traders who have been unable to service their premises during the extended pedestrian hours.

It is understood that this has adversely affected trade.,

The Council says, “The current arrangements were installed as part of the Councils emergency COVID response to facilitate pavement cafes and reduce vehicles to support the Economic Recovery. Although consultation was undertaken, the businesses on Fossgate and the yards are reporting negative impacts. This change would allow resolve many of the issues with the temporary arrangements currently in place.

This change continues the displacement of blue badge parking. The council is conscious of this and has put in place mitigations including off street and on street blue badge holders and continues to keep this under review. Understanding the impact is a focus of the current consultation”

The Council has now agreed two modificatiosn to teh traffic order.

1. To approve an emergency change to the Temporary TRO currently in place on Fossgate, to manage one way vehicular access on Walmgate/Fossgate during the day through a “no motorised vehicles, except for access” restriction between 10.30am and 8pm, with two dedicated loading bays on Walmgate/Fossgate and a loading ban for the remainder of the street, and a staffed access point during footstreet hours..

2. To undertake further engagement with traders and residents on Fossgate (including Walmgate, between Fossgate and the junction with Merchantgate) and those gaining access to properties through Fossgate on what future temporary arrangements look like.

As usual the decision was taken at a “behind closed doors” decision session without any prior notice being given.

Further road closures as work continues on Stonebow, Fossgate and Pavement

As work nears an end on Stonebow, Pavement and Fossgate residents are being reminded of overnight road closures needed to finalise the project.

These include full overnight closures (Monday to Friday 8.30pm to 5am only) on:

Pavement – between 25 March and 5 April
Fossgate – between 25 March and 12 April and,
Stonebow (closed in Pavement direction) between 1 and 5 April

In addition, between 25 to 29 March (over-night only) traffic will flow in the opposite direction on Colliergate so that work can be completed at the junction of Whipmawhopmagate. This may impact people driving in the city, particularly taxi drivers.

It is anticipated that the day time closures of Stonebow, Pavement and Fossgate will be completed on time by 29 March.

The road works are part of a £1.1million investment by the City of York Council to make major improvements to Stonebow, Fossgate and Pavement in York’s city centre. The works will improve the street’s appearance and character, create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and improve access for pedestrians and cyclists, which will attract more visitors to the area.

Tony Clarke, Head of Transport at City of York Council said, “We are nearing the end of a 14 week programme of improvements in the area. These closures have always been in the plans to finalise the work but hopefully taking place overnight will cause the minimum upheaval and disturbance possible.

“We know that the closures have caused delays and disruption for some and we would like to thank residents, businesses and commuters for their patience and assure everyone that we are working hard to have all routes fully reopened by 12 April.”

Major improvements works for Stonebow,Fossgate and Pavement to take place between January-April 2019

Old Fossgate

City of York Council is investing £1.1 million to make major improvements to Stonebow, Fossgate and Pavement in York’s city centre.

The works will improve the street’s appearance and character, create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and improve access for pedestrians and cyclists, which will attract more visitors to the area.

Starting from 7 January, the scheme will be carried out in phases over 12 weeks, and are estimated to be completed by early April, weather permitting, in time for Easter.

For the first time in a generation, the council is completely reconstructing the roads and footpaths on Stonebow, Fossgate and Pavement, which are in a poor condition and need to be replaced.

This will involve constructing/resurfacing and rebuilding the existing stretch of road – including excavating, which will require archaeologists to be in attendance.

The council consulted with businesses, traders and residents in September about changing the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to reverse the traffic flow on Fossgate, which have now been implemented. At the same time, the consultation also included details about this scheme too.

In addition to this, the council hosted a drop-in meeting on 11 December, offering an open invite to talk to traders, businesses and residents about how the council can work with them to help minimise disruption and promote “open as usual” messages.

It’s likely that the work will cause significant disruption to traffic as these are major works. The council is aiming to keep this to a minimum by:

Allowing one way access from Colliergate, turning right only, onto Pavement towards Piccadilly at certain time.
Deliveries will be permitted on Fossgate and Stonebow during certain times but will be managed by traffic marshals.
Full overnight road closures will be required for surfacing works at the end of the scheme (in April). Further details will be provided nearer the time.

For more information, please read the FAQs [below] at www.york.gov.uk/FossgateStonebow or for more travel information visit www.itravelyork.info/roadworks

The works for Stonebow, Fossgate and Pavement have been coordinated alongside the works for Walmgate to minimise disruption and inconvenience, and at a time which the council understands is the quietest time of the year for businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions (more…)

Extra time to give views on Fossgate improvement plans

Residents and businesses now have an extra week to give us their views on proposed plans to improve Fossgate, on of York’s most loved and vibrant shopping streets.

People have until midnight, Sunday 21 October to tell us their thoughts on the plans. They can do this by visiting www.york.gov.uk/fossgate or in the foyer at West Offices.

Fossgate is set for a £500,000 investment, and the council wants your views on measures to enhance and attract more visitors to the vibrant, distinct street in the heart of York.

Earlier this year, the council changed the direction of traffic along Fossgate, significantly reducing the amount of through-traffic along the street.

The council has been engaging with businesses, residents and the wider city to refine the plans which include:

Relaying the road surface and repaving the Yorkstone paths, replacing any tired or broken parts
Creating more attractive junctions at both ends of Fossgate, and widening the narrow footpaths at the Pavement end
Introducing new wider ‘built-out’ sections and street furniture like bike stands, benches and possibly trees
Introducing new ‘speed tables’ and crossing points

You can view the proposals and have your say online at www.york.gov.uk/fossgate or in the foyer of West Offices, Station Rise, YO1 6GA

Give your views on Fossgate improvement plans

The council is asking for your views on plans to improve one of the city’s best loved streets.

Fossgate is set for a £500,000 investment, and the council wants your views on measures to enhance and attract more visitors to the vibrant, distinct street in the heart of York.

Earlier this year, the council changed the direction of traffic along Fossgate, significantly reducing the amount of through-traffic along the street.

Now the council is engaging businesses, residents and the wider city to refine the plans which include:

Relaying the road surface and repaving the Yorkstone paths, replacing any tired or broken parts
Creating more attractive junctions at both ends of Fossgate, and widening the narrow footpaths at the Pavement end
Introducing new wider ‘built-out’ sections and street furniture like bike stands, benches and possibly trees
Introducing new ‘speed tables’ and crossing points

You can view the proposals and have your say online at www.york.gov.uk/fossgate, in the foyer of West Offices, Station Rise, YO1 6GA, or at a drop-in session from 1pm-5pm Ambiente Tapas Bar, Fossgate on Monday 24 September and Wednesday 3 October.

While the drop-in will be based upstairs, the information and officers can come downstairs to anyone unable to use the stairs.

The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 14 October.

York Council asks for comments on changes to Fossgate traffic flows

City of York Council is asking for opinions on recent efforts to reduce traffic on one of the city centre’s busiest and best loved streets.

Last September, the council made Fossgate a pedestrian priority zone, except for access and cycles from 8am – 6pm and reversed the flow of traffic on an experimental basis.

Much of the traffic using Fossgate before the changes was breaking traffic regulations by using the street at times when general traffic was prohibited. The aim of the traffic flow reversal was to reduce the number of vehicles in this busy pedestrian area.

With the trial reaching six months on 17 March, the council’s executive member for transport and planning can decide whether to make the arrangements permanent after taking into account any objections.

If you have an opinion on the changes which you would like the executive member to consider when making the decision on whether the experiment should be made permanent, contact highway.regulation@york.gov.uk before 4:00pm on March 17 with your name, contact details and details of your objection or reasons for support.

If the decision is taken to make the arrangement permanent, the council will work with the local community to develop the designs for the layout and signage in the area for delivery later in the financial year.
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Changes in Fossgate traffic arrangements from Sunday

In a bid to help make Fossgate even more welcoming for residents and businesses a number of traffic changes are set to come into action on Sunday 17 September.

The changes include making the street a pedestrian priority zone including for access and cycles from 8am – 6pm and reversing the flow of traffic to help reduce the amount of through traffic. Road space will also be allocated for street cafes during certain hours.

The changes follow on from a consultation with businesses and residents on the street and after approval on 22 June.

Old Fossgate

The scheme is being introduced as an experimental scheme that could run for up to 18 months. If any objections are made during the experimental period they will be considered before a decision is made on whether to make the scheme permanent.

If the trial is considered a success and made permanent more detailed design work will be carried out to replace the temporary measures and to improve the quality of the street.

Fossgate to be pedestrianised….sort of

The York Council is edging towards pedestrianising Fossgate. The aspiration has been a long held ambition of the Council but traders and residents on the street have expressed had mixed views.

Now a new plan being considered on 22nd June.

The Council claims that the changes are proposed to “reduce the impact of vehicle traffic and to improve the pedestrian environment in the street”.

The report recommends several changes following the consultation, including, making the street a “pedestrian zone”, reversing the one way traffic flow and allocating road space for street cafes.

However delivery lorries, cyclists and residents will still be able to drive down the street making the idea of highway cafes an awkward one.

It’s recommended that the changes are made using an experimental 18 month traffic regulation order (TRO). (more…)

Fossgate sign gets planning permission

Proposed metal banner

Councillors decided last night by 7 votes to 3 to approve plans to install a high level sign at the entrance to Fossgate.

The application had attracted no objections and in the end only three Labour Councillors opposed the plan.

Both Liberal Democrat representatives on the planning sub committee committee (Sue Hunter and Keith Orrell) spoke in support of the proposal

Conservation officers had opposed the sign saying it might create a precedent for other streets in the City. However the Civic Trust plan attracted support from local traders and the Merchant Adventurers Company as well as residents

The gateway sign is expected to be installed before the end of the year.

Fossgate street entry gateway sign opposed by Council officials

Existing banner

A plan by York Civic Trust, which could have given the Fossgate area a boost, is being opposed by conservation officers at the Council.

The proposal would see the existing fabric banner at the entrance to the street replaced by a purpose designed metal equivalent.

The sign is intended to enhance the profile of a street which was badly affected by the 2015 floods. Now prospering once more and rapidly – with neighbouring Walmgate – becoming the City’s premier dining out location, the expectation was the the unique sign would have been broadly welcomed.

Indeed – unusually for York – there have been no objections to the plan with both conservation bodies and traders united in support of the proposals.

The design of the new sign celebrates the history of the street which contains one of the entrances to the 14th century Merchant Adventurers Hall. It also reflects the role of the street as a former fish wharf.

Proposed replacement metal banner

The concern of the planners appears to revolve around the loss of a key streetscape view (although the new banner is in fact less intrusive than the existing signage).

The Council has allocated £500,000 in its budget this year to improve the environment in the street. It is widely expected that the street will be partly pedestrianised with the existing ugly bitmac carriageway being paved over.

The planning departments views represent the latest in a series of awkward positions taken by the Council.

They have approved plans for an ugly visitor centre next to Cliiffords Tower and nodded through a plan for an “arts barge” on a sensitive part of the river bank.

The Planning committee has yet to consider the even more bizarre plan to site shipping containers on Piccadilly, although the Council’s leaders have already endorsed that project.

The Fossgate proposal will be considered by a planning sub committee on 6th April. Background papers can be read by clicking here