One of the busiest roads in York is benefitting from £6.4 million of improvements, with preliminary works already starting on the ground from this month.
Improvements to Tadcaster Road will ensure that the route can continue to cope with current and future travel demands. It will also create a safer and more attractive environment, which supports and encourages more people to walk, cycle and use the bus, said the City of York Council.
This month, two compounds will be constructed along Tadcaster Road – near Sim Balk Lane and Knavesmire Road.
The main construction phase of the works is due to start at the beginning of January, with an estimated completion date of September 2023.
The multi-million pound scheme is being funded and delivered by the council in partnership with the Department for Transport (Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund: £5m) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Transforming Cities Fund: £1.4m).
Both schemes are proposed to be delivered simultaneously, so that disruption to residents, businesses and the users of Tadcaster Road can be minimised and overall costs reduced.
The £1.4m from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will improve walking, cycling and bus travel along Tadcaster Road from the Askham Bar Park & Ride to Blossom Street.
This forms part of a much wider £5m roadworks scheme, funded by the DfT, which enables us to tackle substantial longstanding issues affecting highway drainage.
In time, the scheme should reduce congestion, improve air quality and improve the health and wellbeing of residents.
Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport, at City of York Council, said:
“This is a major scheme to introduce additional walking, cycling and bus improvements on one of York’s busiest routes.
“Thousands of residents, students and visitors use this route every day and it’s great news that in addition to the £5million funding to upgrade Tadcaster Road, to reduce localised flooding, we’ve been able to combine the scheme with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority funded plan to make additional improvements to create safer and more convenient routes for cycling and walking along and across Tadcaster Rd.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to combine the two schemes, so that the level of disruption for residents, businesses and visitors is reduced as much as possible.”
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said:
“We are pleased to be working in partnership with the council on this scheme, which will make it easier for people in York to walk, cycle and use public transport.”
