Parking restrictions approved on 'dangerous' York street after crash amid fears over 'cherished' riverside access

Double yellow lines are set to be put onto the Water End slip road while residential permit parking (ResPark) restrictions are set to be introduced on Government House Road.

Government House Road resident Andrew Beattie said restrictions were needed to stop commuters, shoppers and school pupil parents parking, while a recent crash had fuelled safety concerns over Water End.

But Rachel Gilbert-Cornish, who also lives in the Clifton road, said the restrictions amounted to a ban on families, dog walkers and other visitors to the riverside parking there.

The decison on Tuesday (Mar 11) follows a consultation launched in July on the new restrictions, which eight comments lodged in support of the restrictions and four against.

The launch of the consultation came after Government House Road residents first petitioned the council to calling for ResPark restrictions in September 2020.

The meeting heard restrictions would be needed on both Government House Road and Water End to stop parking from being directed from one to the other if they were approved.

Water End leads down to the side of the River Ouse and the meeting heard it linked two major routes used by walkers and cyclists.

Resident Mr Beattie told Tuesday’s meeting eight out of Government House Road’s nine households had supported the bid for ResPark.

He said: “Traffic on Water End is also dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. This was highlighted only recently when a driver lost control of their car on the slip road and crashed through the gate at the bottom, demolishing a street light.”

Ms Gilbert-Cornish said the council should consider alternative options including restricting parking at certain times of the day rather than opting for an outright ban.

She said: “This would cut off access to a cherished recreational space, the council has suggested that visitors use park and rides instead but these are mainly for commuters from outside York. As a resident of Government House Road I think this is unfair, there’s no rational justification for a blanket ban.”

Council transport spokesperson Coun Kate Ravilious said the restrictions would help improve safety on Water End which is often blocked by parked cars.

The Labour executive member said: “Pedestrians and cyclists are also often confronted by turning cars. It’s still possible for visitors to access the riverside by using buses or the Marygate and Esplanade car parks.”