Residents overwhelmingly back Ring Road dualling plans

The Council’s Executive are set to receive a report on the results of the York Outer Ring Road dualling consultation, which saw 79% of respondents support the project. 

More than 3,500 comments were received from residents and stakeholders, which have helped to revise the project plan to include more pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities and routes.

The consultation followed the announcement in 2019 that the Department for Transport had approved York’s £25m scheme to dual the Outer Ring Road from the A19 Shipton Road to the A1036 Little Hopgrove, following years of extensive lobbying by Liberal Democrat councillors.

Since early spring 2021 the project has progressed at pace, including the evaluation of the consultation process, development of the detail design and business case, preparing a planning application and acquisition of land.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council, commented:

“The consultation process has made it clear that residents and stakeholders are squarely behind this scheme. I’m glad to see the project now includes even more provision to support safe walking and cycling facilities, adding to the over 6km of walking and cycling network, underpasses and bridleways across the ring road.

“Upgrading the Ring Road provides us with an opportunity to reduce congestion and journey times, which would see car journeys move out of the city centre, aiding in our continued work to improve air quality. Liberal Democrat councillors have lobbied extensively for years to secure Government funding to dual and upgrade the York Outer Ring Road and I know local residents and businesses will be pleased to see the scheme progress.”

The following additions to the project will be presented to the Executive for approval at a meeting on the 30^th September:

1. The provision of pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities at the junction of Wigginton Road with the A1237 to improve safety and access for active travel around the roundabout and to link into local services and amenities located north east of the intersection.
2. The provision of a safeguarded route for a future 1.1km length of orbital pedestrian/cycle route from Strensall Road junction to Monks Cross roundabout.
3. Diversion of Bridleway no. 4 at Huntington and provision of a Pegasus Crossing at Monks Cross junction.
4. Design and development amendments regarding noise and environmental mitigation.
5. Realignment of dualling from land to the north of the existing carriageway to the south side extending in a north westerly direction from Little Hopgrove roundabout for approximately 750m.