Greens gear up for attack as circular cycle route opens

The Orbital Route was launched by the authority yesterday to allow cyclists to avoid the busy centre and reduce traffic on the notoriously congested roads.

However, the leader of the Green group, Coun Andy D’Agorne, has accused Labour councillors of hiding behind the launch in an attempt to gloss over today’s decision on the revamp of a notorious junction.

York Council’s cabinet is due to consider two options for reinstating a left-hand traffic lane at the junction of Water End and Clifton Green, after it was removed in 2009 to make way for a cycle lane.

The car lane is being brought back in place of the cycle route after criticism that its removal had led to congestion.

Coun D’Agorne said: “It is a cynical attempt to distract attention from the Labour pledge to reinstate a vehicle left turn lane at Clifton Green, against the safety advice of all three emergency services and their own highway engineers. This effectively undermines the concept of a continuous route around the city.”

Cabinet member for city strategy Coun Dave Merret was unavailable for comment.