Pollution fight moves towards next stage

Plans are under way to reduce congestion and pollution along Fulford Road, which is one of the main routes in and out of the city centre and has increasingly become a notorious bottleneck for traffic.

Improvements have so far focused on the central section of the route between Heslington Lane and Cemetery Road after studies commissioned by York Council showed work on this section would have the maximum benefit to road users.

The council is now considering the next stage of the improvements, which will be carried out on the northern section of the Fulford Road corridor from Cemetery Road to the city centre and could cost more than 500,000 to complete.

This section includes the Fishergate gyratory, which is one of the worst congestion blackspots on the city's inner ring road at peak rush hour times.

Improved access for cyclists and pedestrians and an overhaul of traffic signals and junctions are among the proposals being considered, while a 20mph zone could eventually be introduced near Fishergate School.

York Council's executive member for city strategy, Coun Steve Galloway, is due to give the go-ahead on Tuesday next week for the proposals to go out for public consultation.

Concerns have been raised over the amount of traffic pollution along Fulford Road and the impact it is having on residents.

Research has shown that thousands of vehicles using the route every day are causing poor air quality along sections of the road, with high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide.

Nitrogen dioxide is a respiratory irritant which affects vulnerable groups such as the young and the elderly, and those suffering from asthma, emphysema and lung disease.

York Council has proposed extending an air quality management plan covering part of Fulford Road to try to counter pollution along Main Street.