Experimental bus lane for Low Poppleton Lane

Rising bollards will rise no more as ANPR cameras march goes on!

Low Poppleton Lane

City of York Council will be introducing an experimental bus lane for 18 months on Low Poppleton Lane in the new year.

The new CCTV ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) system will replace the current rising bollard system.

The changes were proposed to help increase pedestrian and cycle safety by stopping people ignoring the current restrictions. They were agreed in consultation with the  executive member for transport and planning by the Director for Economy and Place in September.

The Council says,

Construction is due to start on Tuesday 2 January and is expected to be complete by 12 January, weather dependant. Work will take place from 9.30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. During this time, bus service 10 will divert via Boroughbridge Road and Station Road.

All traffic other than local bus services and the Manor School mini bus will be prohibited from passing through this restriction.

As with any construction work there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption. Residents can be assured that we will do everything possible to minimise this.

We have written to residents and businesses in the area to inform them of the changes. Temporary signs have also been put in place to give motorists advance warning of the new bus lane.

Once in place, motorists who breach the restrictions will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). This will be £60, reduced to £30 if payment is made within 14 days.

Any comments on the trial can be sent to lowpoppletonlane.trial@york.gov.uk. All comments will be considered before a decision is made on whether to make the scheme permanent or to revert to the old restrictions.

More spy cameras heading for York

The York Council is planning to install ANPR cameras at 3 more sites in York. The revelation comes only days after it was revealed that the only existing camera site on Coppergate has confirmed a very low level of abuse of the access restrictions there.

Now the Council says that it will install cameras at:

Foss Islands Road

  • Foss Islands Road Retail park
  • Shipton Road by Rawcliffe Bar &
  • Low Poppleton Lane (replacing the existing, unreliable, rising bollard)

The cameras are intended to enforce bus lane access restrictions.

The Council has published a list of 9 further locations which the cameras may also be introduced.

Shipton Road

The bus companies have told the Council that journey times area not adversely affected at present by vehicles misusing bus lanes in the City.

Cameras cost £15,000 per location.

In addition, there are some ongoing maintenance and fine processing costs plus the cost of improving signage (£10,000).

The cameras require very clear warning signage (the first attempt at ANPR enforcement on Coppergate failed this test).

Vehicles must travel 50m in the bus lane to trigger a penalty.

Shipton Road

The Low Poppleton Lane plans are likely to be particularly scrutinised.

The rising bollard dates for the days when sugar beet lorries used to deliver in the area.

Now it simply prevents a “short cut”.

The whole area needs a comprehensive management plan as part of the proposed redevelopment of the old school/sugar factory site. Plans are recommended for approval at a planning committee meeting taking pace next week (click here)

Old Manor school buildings set to be demolished

York’s planning committee is being recommended to approve an application to demolish the old Manor School buildings on Low Poppleton Lane.

The planning application, which will be discussed at a meeting taking place on 17th August, also contains details of major changes to road junction arrangements in the area.

The changes are necessary to allow new access roads, to the former British Sugar site, to be constructed.

In turn, this will facilitate the erection of new housing in the area.

There have been relatively few objections to the plan although the Council is being recommended to provide mitigation measures to protect the well-being of the bats that live in the school building.