Council approves York cycle lane which would see removal of free parking spaces

The council in York has approved plans for a cycle path which will see free parking on one of the city’s busiest roads cut.

A continuous cycle route from the Iron Bridge on Holgate Road to the junction with Acomb Road will be built, even though it means some parking spaces serving local businesses will be lost.

The Green councillor Andy D'Agorne spoke at the public decision session session this week to urge that cycle logos were painted in the road to make sure that people were aware of cyclists around them.

According to the York Press he said: "This may be beyond the scope of this current programme but I feel the real need is for cycle lanes on Holgate bridge itself."

Cllr Ian Gillies, the executive member for transport and planning, said a hairdresser's and York Bridge Club had made representations about needing free on-street parking, and had agreed to leave some bays outside those businesses.

There was also opposition from owners of guest houses along Holgate Road.

A written report said: "Officers’ view of the uncontrolled parking on this side of Holgate Road by commuters and shoppers is that it undermines the council’s transport strategy.

"Uncontrolled parking of this nature does not encourage the use of the council’s Park&Ride sites, and leads to further congestion and pollution."