Have your say on plans for cycle and walking improvements in York

24 September 2020

People are being asked for their views on proposed £250,000 of improvements to the  cycling and walking route between York rail station and Bootham Park, as part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme aimed at encouraging more people to travel on foot and by bike. This follows the successful award-winning upgrade of Scarborough Bridge which was completed last year.                                            

The scheme, delivered in partnership with City of York Council, will focus on improving the cycle and pedestrian route between York rail station and Bootham Park, York Hospital and the city centre, and provides a key missing link in the growing cycling and walking network in the city. Funded through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Transforming Cities Fund, these improvements will make it even easier for people travelling to key destinations to the north of the city, to do so actively.

The changes proposed in this area will make this route safer and create more space for people to walk and cycle, with safer crossing points over Bootham (A19) and the widening of Railway Walk path next to Marygate car park, as well improved access for people with mobility issues with the installation of a low gradient ramp, replacing the current steps that link St Mary’s to Marygate Lane.

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:

“We are pleased to see plans coming forward that will bring even more opportunities for the people of York, and visitors to the city, to travel by bike and on foot along this key route. Even more importantly, these proposals will mean improving accessibility for people with mobility issues, removing barriers they face on the transport network.

“As evidenced by the success of Scarborough Bridge, opened last September, we know that the changes proposed here can make a huge difference to how people travel. Encouraging more of us to travel by bike or on foot not only boosts people’s health and saves individuals money, it also brings wider environmental and economic benefits, which is why we want to make cycling and walking a natural choice for short, everyday journeys.”

Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Transport, Cllr Andy D’Agorne, said:

“Since the introduction of the new Scarborough Bridge we have seen hundreds more residents and visitors making advantage daily of this step-free, car-free route through our city. These proposals will help to integrate the route further into the city’s transport network joining the railway station, city centre, hospital and residential areas whilst improving accessibility for people with mobility issues.”

These new proposals build on the success of the recently opened and award-winning £4.4m Scarborough Bridge, which provides an accessible route directly across the River Ouse to York Rail Station. The bridge opened to the public in 2019 and has accommodated a significant increase in the number of users compared to the previous bridge.

The plans are available to view online at www.york.gov.uk/consultations from today (Thursday 24 September 2020) and people are invited to comment before the engagement ends on October 12 2020.