York Cycle Campaign very much welcomes progress at last being made to realise the proposed improvements to the riverside path. This vital active travel link from the Leeman Rd ‘island’ area into the centre of York is used by 2,500 people daily, and will be all the more important with the upcoming National Railway Museum and York Central changes that will impact on Leeman Road. We support the overall design approach with segregated pedestrian and cycle provision. The cyclists being routed away from the steep rail embankment will give a much better sightline for the approach to the narrow arch under Scarborough Bridge. We would urge the use of ‘share with care’ and ‘give way to pedestrians’ signage rather than the existing discriminatory ‘cyclists dismount’ sign and chicane barriers.

Whilst we appreciate the complexities around the Embankment Stability issue we would be concerned if ‘Option 2’ meant further significant delays to commencement of construction. Active Travel England funding was awarded two years ago and further delay will impact on securing any more awards towards implementing other routes we so desperately need across York.

In the light of this we would support immediate progress on the parking restrictions near Jubilee Terrace which we support to improve pedestrian and cycle safety, particularly at school times. We would suggest this might be an ideal candidate for a ‘school street’, making use of the new powers to ensure that the section near the church is not used by cars (other than for blue badge access) during school drop off and pick up times. We would support double yellow lines to help remove the hazards for cyclists of all ages.

We would also like to take this opportunity to support item 6, removing parking from Water End slip road. This will improve access for cyclists by joining a gap in the strategic cycle network, and will make it safer by avoiding car dooring, or being confronted by drivers trying to reverse or turn in a very tight space. It will help to make this route safer and more attractive to a variety of users including women, children, and disabled cyclists. Therefore, we support this proposal.