MORE than 500 people have spoken out about proposed changes to one of York's busiest routes, leading to a revised scheme.

Improvements costing £1.4m are set to be made along Tadcaster Road between Askham Bar Park & Ride and Blossom Street to improve walking, cycling and bus travel to ensure the road copes with current and future travel demands.

A report to an executive member for transport decision session on Tuesday, October 19, is recommending a series of options, taking into account feedback from the consultation.

The proposals consider changes to segregated cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings and bus stops.

The report also recognises the challenges that widening alongside Knavesmire poses, and has removed this from the current proposals.

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, executive member for transport, said: “Tadcaster Road is used by thousands of residents, students, visitors every day. This feedback will ensure that the next stage of design takes into account all views.

"The proposals aim to provide more attractive, safer and convenient routes which be introduced at the same time as the £5million upgrade to improve surfacing/lighting and reduce localised flooding.

“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 and we can make the most of the funding which is available to us.”

The scheme is being supported by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which is helping to transform gateways to cities by making it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport.

This project forms part of a wider road scheme to improve drainage, lighting and surfacing issues on Tadcaster Road. It will also support investment being made at Askham Bar to allow overnight parking for visitors to central York.

In addition to this, the council secured £5m from Department of Transport’s Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund last year. This will ensure essential maintenance and improvement work will also take place to the drainage, lighting and the surfaces of the road and pavements.

Both schemes are proposed to be delivered simultaneously to minimise disruption and overall costs.

The plans are at the feasibility stage, with the consultation held to highlight the next stage of creating more detailed designs.

If approved, construction could start in late spring 2022 and complete in early 2023. Once detailed designs have been produced the construction dates will be confirmed.

Due to the size and complexity of the proposed works the improvements will most likely be introduced in phases.

During the scheme’s construction stage, there will inevitably be some disruption. By delivering the maintenance scheme at the same time as the proposed transport improvements, it will help to reduce the amount of disruption on the Tadcaster Road.