Big changes are being proposed for the B&Q on Hull Road, Legal & General are running a public consultation on plans to subdivide the existing warehouse to introduce a new large-scale grocery store, understood to be Tesco, alongside a downscaled B&Q. A move that will significantly change traffic patterns and delivery movements at this busy junction near the A64. While the developers highlight the convenience of a new supermarket for the east of York, the current proposals lack detail on how they will ensure safe, seamless access for those arriving by pedal power rather than by car. We are encouraging all our members to have a look and submit a response to the public consultation to ensure that high-quality cycle infrastructure and permeable site access aren’t treated as an afterthought in this major redevelopment.

But what could high-quality cycle infrastructure on this site look like? In 2014 Sainsbury’s also submitted a planning application to convert B&Q into a supermarket. Their application was approved, and although they didn’t carry through with the proposals, it gives a good insight of what a previous applicant felt viable and the planners found acceptable. 

That 2014 proposal included:

• 42 covered and 66 uncovered customer cycle parking spaces with spaces to accommodate trailers, plus 40 cycle secured spaces for staff. Further space was allocated in the plans for additional provision of cycle parking should it be required in the future.
• A new toucan (pedestrian and cycle) crossing across Hull Road to the site.
• An extension of the footway/cycleway on the southern side of Hull Road from the roundabout to that toucan crossing.
• A new toucan crossing across the main eastern entrance into the site from the Osbaldwick Link Road.
• A cycle safety scheme at the exit of the ‘Inner Space Station’ petrol station, which would be funded by the applicant, aimed at improving visibility of cyclists on the cycle lane to vehicles leaving the petrol station.

Back to 2026, and the toucan crossing over Hull Road and the extension of cycle path from the roundabout are planned to go ahead – but as part of the Persimmon Homes development on the southern side of Hull Road.  

Meanwhile, the proposals to split B&Q are very scant in declaring what provision for cycling is being provided, and certainly don’t pick up the rest of the list from the 2014 application. The only indication of any provision is ‘cycles’ marked up on the paving outside each store. No improvements are proposed to the junction off Osbaldwick Link Road to cope with the increased traffic indicating that the ‘Existing Customer Access Retained’, and there’s also no mention of improvements at the petrol station.

Cycle parking indicated by the trolleys to the west of the B&Q entrance (left) and at the far end of the supermarket , along with the unimproved site entrance (right) Image: Hull Road consultation plans

The campaign is calling on members to take part in the consultation and request that the 2014 proposals for the site are taken as precedent for the minimum level of cycle infrastructure that should be provided on this site. No deadline for responses is declared on the consultation website, so we’d recommend taking part as soon as you can by either filling in the form, or contacting them on the email address or phone number provided.