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LISTEN - Groves closure plans in York - Council leader responds
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Published by David Dunning at 3:40pm 16th June 2020. (Updated at 2:10pm 18th June 2020)
Original story by Chloe Laversuch, Local Democracy Reporter, with additional material from David Dunning at Minster FM
PLANS to close The Groves residential area to traffic are set to go ahead in the next two to three weeks.
City of York Council would use government emergency funding that aims to promote cycling and walking to carry out the work.
A council meeting on Monday will discuss the scheme, which plans to:
Close Lowther Street at its junction with Brownlow Street
Close Penley Grove Street between St. John Crescent and March Street
Close Earle Street close to its junction with Amber Street
Close Neville Terrace close to its junction with Brownlow Street
Make Penley Grove Street two way between March Street and the new closure point
Make Penley Grove Street two way between Monkgate and the new closure point
Close St. John Crescent between Penley Grove Street and Garden Street
Make March Street one way except for cyclists
Make Brownlow Street one way except for cyclists
Merge the boundaries of residents parking zones R7, R10 and R25
These are the revised plans – in response to recommendations from residents.
But Door 84 Youth Centre, which is based in The Groves, has said the plans could make it more difficult for people to get to their site.
And other respondents fear the traffic could be made worse on Lord Mayor’s Walk, Haxby Road and in the Gillygate area.
Anne Stamp from SNAPPY is worried too.
She says access is needed for all the children and young people who use their centre and she thinks it will be very hard for parents if they can't get right to the front door as they can now.
LISTEN - Leader of City of York council Keith Aspden talks to Minster FM's David Dunning:
Cllr Aspden says that he will listen to feedback and make sure that all of the current changes to roads in York are fully monitored.
Officers have recommended Cllr Andy D’Agorne, executive member for transport, approves the plans on a temporary basis for 18 months so that adjustments to the closure can be made at short notice to improve the scheme.
A council report says:
“The narrow residential streets through the area have experienced a large increase in through traffic in recent years.
Although use of the remaining through routes in the residential area does alleviate some capacity on the main road network there is a question mark as to whether this is appropriate given the residential nature of the area and the substantial traffic queues through it during peak periods.
In order to secure funding through the Emergency Active Travel Fund that requires expenditure within 8 weeks to facilitate reallocation of road space to walking and cycling and facilitates social distancing.”
Work could begin in the next two to three weeks.
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