Would you believe it; They’re going to dig up Tadcaster Road again!

A Council media release today confirms what many feared. The Tadcaster Road carriageway is going to be dug up again only 3 months after it was resurfaced.

Resurfacing work was completed in June

The carriageway is currently in excellent condition and contrasts markedly with the condition of most other roads in west York.

But it seems that the Council jumped the gun when they undertook a £600,000 resurfacing scheme earlier in the summer.

Waste Of Money GIFs | Tenor

The government announced a £5 million improvement budget in July only weeks after work on the road was completed. The government was responding to a bid that the York Council had made earlier in the year.

It is likely that taxpayers will want to know a lot more about how this blunder happened.

The Council media release issued today says,

“One of the busiest roads in York is set to benefit from a £5million government funded road improvement scheme.

City of York Council was successfully awarded funding from the Department of Transport’s Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund.

The funding will enable to council to improve large sections of drainage along this route which will reduce localised surface water flooding. The work includes the delivery of additional pedestrian crossings and will ensure the road is maintenance free for the next 10 years. 

The authority has been proactively working with all the major utility companies, water, gas, electric, phones, to coordinate their future work. During this process it became apparent that Northern Gas Networks (NGN), were due to carry out major work in 2023. Working in partnership they have brought this work forward to 10 October 2020 ensuring minimum disruption for residents and commuters. The council works are scheduled to start in January 2021.

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport, said at City of York Council, said:

“It’s excellent news that our bid for £5million to upgrade Tadcaster Road to reduce localised flooding has been reviewed by Government and is now in approved.  This will deliver much needed improvements to one of York’s busiest routes.

“Our primary goal is to ensure these works are coordinated with utilities companies so that the level of disruption for residents, businesses and visitors is reduced as much as possible.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Wasn’t part of Tadcaster Road resurfaced earlier this year?
Yes, the council bid to government for a scheme on Tadcaster Road. The council received confirmation in March that it was unsuccessful and would not receive funding.  Therefore the council resurfaced a section of Tadcaster Road as it was in need of urgent repairs between The Horseshoe and St Aubyns Place. 
However, in June the council was then awarded the £5million funding to improve large sections of drainage along Tadcaster Road which will reduce the risk of localised surface water flooding.

Northern Gas Networks have recently informed the council they have plans to carry out major works to their service at Tadcaster Road by 2025. The council was not made aware of these works before the section of Tadcaster Road between The Horseshoe and St Aubyns Place was resurfaced earlier this year.
Whilst it is not an ideal situation, the Council would rather sacrifice a small part of the works that have been undertaken already rather than risk the digging up of the major £5 million scheme in a few years’ time for the Northern Gas Networks scheme.  

Hull Road/Osbaldwick Link Road junction improvements

Ageing and outdated traffic signals at the junction of Hull Road and Osbaldwick Road are set to be replaced next month.

This is part of a scheme to help improve pedestrian access and ease congestion in the area.

The works will include replacing all the ageing traffic signal equipment, widening the traffic islands, resurfacing both the footpaths and road across the junction and parts of the Hull Road approach.

Works will start on Monday 7 September and are estimated to take around ten weeks to complete. The hours of working will be 9.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays.

In order for the work to be carried out safely, there will be some restrictions, including:

  • Reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph in works areas
  • Closing the outbound to inbound U-turn on Hull Road, a signed diversion will be in place
  • Suspending the inbound bus lane from the Hull Road junction with the Grimston Bar Park & Ride to the Hull Road junction with Osbaldwick link road.

Whilst the works are ongoing the junction will be operating under temporary traffic signals. Motorists are advised to expect delays during this period. We will be managing the network to reduce delays as much as possible.

The new technology being installed will help to manage traffic in the area and enable the new systems to link direct to the council’s Traffic and Control Centre, so that Network Monitoring Officers can manage the flow of traffic better in busy periods.

Gale Lane reopens to traffic

Yorkshire Water have completed their water mains repair on Gale Lane which has now reopened to traffic.

Gale Lane reopened.

Tudor Road is still closed and will be for at least another 2 weeks. Still no provision has been made for cyclists. No doubt if this was a street located in the City Centre such neglect would bring a chorus of disapproval!

Tudor Road

Resurfacing works on key routes in York throughout June

City of York Council will be carrying out roadworks on key routes in June, The following works are being undertaken:

  • Melrosegate: Resurfacing works will take place from the 18 June for one day, working between 9.00am and 4.00pm. In order to carry out the work safely, the use of ‘stop and go’ traffic control boards between Fifth Avenue and the access to Tang Hall Community Centre, will be necessary whilst works are taking place to manage lane closures, together with the use of a lead vehicle convoy system to guide traffic past the works at a safe and constant speed.
  • Tang Hall Lane (Phase 1): Resurfacing works will take place from 19 June for two days, working between 9.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday only. In order to carry out the work safely, we will be closing the road north of Lang Avenue to south of Temple Avenue.
  • Tang Hall Lane (Phase 2): Resurfacing works will take place from 23 June for one day, working between 9.00am and 4.00pm. In order to carry out the work safely, we will be closing the road north of Hadrian Avenue to Hull Road.
  • Main Street, Wheldrake: resurfacing works will take place from 24 June for two days, working between 9.00am and 4.00pm. In order to carry out the work safely, there will be a full road closure and a fully signed diversion in place. The closure will be between the junction to Millfield Industrial Estate and the junction to Millfield Court, with access to both still available. Bus stops within the road closure will not be in operation, however, bus services will be available from the relevant bus stops outside of the closure points. Buses will be diverted from Church Lane via Greengales Lane, Elvington Lane, A64 returning to normal route at A19 Selby Rd. Same diversion in reverse for the return journey.
  • Vicarage Lane: Resurfacing works will take place from 25 June for one day, working between 9.00am and 4.00pm. In order to carry out the work safely, we will be closing the road at York Road.
  • Wheldrake Lane to Benjy Lane Junction: Resurfacing works will take place from 26 June for one day, working between 9.00am and 4.00pm. In order to carry out the work safely, there will be a full road closure at the junction of Wheldrake Lane and Benjy Lane and a fully signed diversion in place. Bus stops within the road closure will not be in operation, however, bus services will be available from the relevant bus stops outside of the closure points. Buses will be diverted from Main St via the other Wheldrake Lane to Escrick, Skipwith Rd then via A19 resuming normal route at Crockey Hill. Same diversion in reverse for the return journey.

Confusion over Gale Lane diversions

Yorkshrie Water works in te area mean that there ae two separate raod clsures within a few hundered metres on each other today.

There are two road closures affecting Gale Lane
Signs on Gale Lane warn that Tudor Road is now closed to traffic. Bus services have been diverted.
Tudor Road will be closed for at least two weeks in connection with works at the Lowfields development. No special arrangements have been made for cyclists who are currently using the footpath.
Gale Lane is also closed at the Foxwood Lane/Thanet Road junction. This work results from a water main burst at the weekend. The diversion is via Askham Lane.

Resurfacing work almost complete in Tadcaster Road area

After being closed for a time yesterday, St Helens Road has reopened. White lining work there has been completed and is also well advanced on Tadcaster Road.

Both carriageways have been resurfaced.

The contract is expected to be completed tomorrow on schedule although some bad weather is forecast (heavy rain).

More roadworks including St Helen’s Road monthly resurface

Tadcaster Road (including St Helen’s Road)
St Helen’s Road – road works a familiar site

Resurfacing works will take place from Wednesday 20 May between 9.00am and 5.00pm, for 4 weeks, working Monday to Friday only.

In order to carry out the work safely, phased lane closures will be in place from the junction of Middlethorpe Drive to the junction of Knavesmire Road whilst works are taking place

James Street

The resurfacing works will take place from Wednesday 10 June for up to 4 nights, working between 7.30pm and 5.00am, Monday to Friday only. A full road closure from, but not including, the junction of Lawrence Street up to, but not including, the junction of Morrison’s will be necessary whilst works are taking place.

In addition to the above, we’ll be carrying out kerbing and drainage works on Monday 1 June for a period of 7 days working Monday to Friday, from 9.15am to 4.00pm. These works will be carried out under local traffic management, will not affect access/egress and the road will be open as normal.

In order to carry out these works safely, a number of measures will be taken.

Staff will use ‘stop and go’ traffic control boards whilst works are taking place to manage lane closures, together with the use of a lead vehicle convoy system to guide traffic past the works at a safe and constant speed. This is to ensure that adequate health and safety is maintained for both local residents, the travelling public and the contractor

Site staff will be on hand to advise and assist residents about any access restrictions once the works are ongoing

All on-street parking in the working area and within close proximity to the works will be suspended at these times, although any specific access requirements may be arranged by speaking to the site traffic management operatives, who will co-ordinate with residents’ and businesses’ requirements around the ongoing construction operations. This will not affect access for residents or businesses and the road will be open as normal

Bus services will be running as normal, and although there may be slight delays as a consequence of the works, this will be kept to a minimum

Emergency services will be permitted through the works at all times. Please note that cyclists are advised to dismount and use the adjacent grass verges.

Blue Bridge repairs to start next week

Refurbishment and maintenance works are scheduled to take place on Blue Bridge, over the River Foss, from Monday 18 May for up to eight weeks.

This will include general painting and repairs to the bridge parapet railings, the removal of old paintwork and steelwork repairs. In order for these works to be done safely, the bridge needs to be removed from the site.

A temporary scaffold walkway and bridge will be installed to allow pedestrian and cyclist access whilst the works on Blue Bridge are being undertaken.

There will be two brief closures (of up to 15 minutes each) during this time, to allow the bridge sections to be lifted out and returned into position. This will take place towards the start of the project and towards the end.

The width and overall length of the temporary bridge will be similar to the existing Blue Bridge. We’re asking residents to allow plenty of space between themselves and others in order to reduce the possibility of groups meeting along the restricted width of the temporary walkway.

The works themselves will take place between the Blue Bridge Lane and New Walk (i.e. along the River Ouse riverbank side).

It is possible to avoid this area by traveling via Fishergate for both pedestrians and cyclists.   

The width dimensions of the temporary bridge will be similar to those of the existing bridge, but with a ramp to access the bridge from one side. Cyclists will be able to use the temporary bridge which will be flat, unlike the existing bridge which rises to a peak.

The River Foss navigation will not be available for access to river craft for the duration of the works.

Monkbar to close for overnight resurfacing on Sunday

Following the completion of the traffic signal renewal at the junction of Monkbar, Lord Mayor’s Walk and St Maurice’s Road, City of York Council will be resurfacing the junction from Sunday 10 May.

To minimise disruption work will take place overnight from 7.30pm – 5am and is expected to take five nights to complete, weather dependant. The work includes resurfacing the road and adding markings.

All crews carrying out the works will be operating under strict social distancing guidance due to the current Coronavirus restrictions. All but essential maintenance has been paused during the outbreak of Coronavirus.

We have worked with trade unions and our supply chain to develop new ways of working during the pandemic. This ensures that works on the road can happen in a safe way for front line operatives and the public, whilst roads are quieter than normal.

This follows guidance from the Department of Transport, which has asked council’s to continue with normal highway maintenance as much as possible.

To minimise disruption the resurfacing work will be carried out in two phases as follows:

  • Phase 1 (Sun 10 May – Tue 12 May): Jewbury/St Maurice’s Road and Goodramgate Closed with traffic on Lord Mayor’s Walk and Monkgate down to a single lane operating under lane closures and temporary lights. Jewbury/St Maurice’s Road will be turned in to a 2-way road allowing access and egress to and from the hotels and Cloisters Walk only (no through traffic). Access and egress will only be granted to St Maurice’s Road/Jewbury from the direction of Layerthorpe/Foss Islands Road/Peasholme Green. The slip road on Foss Bank to Jewbury will also be closed.
  • Phase 2 (Wed 13 May – Thu 14 May): All roads will remain open with traffic on Lord Mayor’s Walk and Monkgate down to a single lane.

The roads will need to be closed during the resurfacing work on phase 1. Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place for through traffic. The closure is to ensure that adequate health and safety is maintained for local residents, the travelling public and the contractors undertaking the work.

Emergency services will be permitted through the works in any situation. A one way system will be in place on pavements to ensure that people can effectively distance themselves from other footway users.

All on street parking in the working area and within close proximity to the works will be suspended including a small section of on street parking on Lord Mayors Walk during work times.

During phase 1, Bus services 12 and 14 will be diverted via Layerthorpe, Eboracum Way and Heworth Green meaning Monkgate will not be served. Buses from the direction of Haxby to York/Foxwood will not be affected.

For more information visit www.york.gov.uk/monkbar