RESIDENTS WELCOME REVISED FULFORD PARK SCHEME

12.00.00am GMT Tue 5th Jan 2010

Fulford's Liberal Democrat Councillor, Keith Aspden has welcomed proposals to alter improvement plans for the A19 in Fulford to address concerns raised by local residents.

Councillor Aspden submitted a petition in December calling for changes to the plans after local residents raised concerns about the impact the changes would have on the area.

Councillor Aspden said residents were primarily concerned about plans to narrow the entrance to Fulford Park and the effect on the appearance of Fulford's important conservation area.

He said, "Residents were concerned that narrowing the entrance to Fulford Park would have a detrimental effect on the look of the area, with very limited benefit for pedestrians, as well as making access for vehicles near the medical centre more difficult. The benefits of this part of the plans don't provide value for money, especially when you consider the problems it might create for residents accessing Fulford Park."

Concerns were also raised about the impact of proposed new road markings on the look of the conservation area. Councillor Aspden said, "There has been some concern that new double yellow lines and green markings for the cycle lanes would have a detrimental effect on the look of the area."

"Clearly these markings are needed in places for safety and improvements for cyclists but I would call on officers to ensure they are only used where necessary and that they use suitable pale colours. This will further help protect the conservation area."

Responding to the petition, Council Officers have suggested plans to narrow the road could be scrapped and pedestrian safety could be improved with the installation of a tactile pedestrian crossing instead. They have also suggested slightly cutting down on the amount of new road markings.

Changes to the plans were approved by the Council's Executive Member for City Strategy, Councillor Steve Galloway at a meeting today.

Councillor Aspden said local residents and the Parish Council supported the revised plans. He said, "The suggested solution of a new tactile crossing would bring about improvements for pedestrians in this location, whilst meeting our needs locally. Narrowing the road would waste money on an unnecessary road engineering scheme that will bring about very limited benefit."