Developer named for park and ride works

The scheme, which is one of the largest single investments in York’s transport system, involves the development of two park and ride sites on the outskirts of the city.

Council chiefs, who have appointed Balfour Beatty to carry out the first stage of the work, say congestion along routes into the city centre will be cut by increasing the parking capacity to 1,100 vehicles at Askham Bar Park and Ride and by creating a new 600-vehicle site at Poppleton Bar.

Junctions to the new sites will be provided off the A59 and A1036 and major improvements to the A59/A1237 roundabout will be delivered as part of the works, which will run for a total of 54 weeks, beginning in May.

Coun Dave Merrett, York Council’s cabinet member for transport, planning and sustainability, said: “Access to York is critical for the future economic prosperity and environmental wellbeing of the city, so the award of the contract for the two new park and ride sites and the A59 ring road roundabout upgrade to Balfour Beatty is a pivotal moment for the city.

“The £22.7m overall project represents one of the largest single investments in the city’s transport infrastructure since the northern ring road was built and we look forward to working with Balfour Beatty during the delivery of this scheme.”

The council hopes the move will mean journey times will become more reliable, helping local businesses operate efficiently.

The Government announced in March that it will provide £15.3m – a total of 70 per cent of the funding needed for the project.

It is hoped the city’s park and ride sites will be up and running from the spring of 2014 in advance of the world’s largest annual sporting event, Le Tour de France Grand Départ, the second stage of which will set off from the city on July 6.