To keep the city safe during the Coronavirus pandemic, City of York Council put in place a number of measures across the city to support residents and businesses in social distancing.

This included introducing emergency traffic measures on Bishopthorpe Road earlier this year, comprising a southbound closure of the street.

The council has been constantly reviewing these measures to take into account the changing national guidance and York’s local recovery.

Whilst the restriction helped with meeting the objectives for social distancing, a gradual increase in traffic has caused a number of local issues, including increased congestion and unofficial diversions through side streets.  This is likely to be made worse during the additional gas works planned at the junction of Blossom Street and Nunnery Lane, due later in August.

 Therefore, Bishopthorpe Road will now be fully open from 4 August - once the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) ends - subject to the restrictions which were in place before temporary measures were implemented.  

 

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said: “We continue to recognise the important role played by the retailers and thank you for your co-operation and support throughout this difficult time.  Over the last few months, the coronavirus pandemic has created a situation unlike anything we’ve ever experienced.  But throughout the pandemic, we have seen York doing what it does best – residents and businesses rising to the challenge, pulling together and supporting each other.

 

“As the city is reopening and we are starting to get back to normal, we all have a role to play in supporting our city and local businesses. Now more than ever, as a resident or York business, we are urging people to shop local and buy local.

“I would like to thank all the residents and businesses for providing their valuable feedback on the temporary traffic measures in Bishopthorpe Road, which has been taken into account in this decision.

 “As we talk about recovery, we do not ignore that coronavirus is still with us and our primary focus remains protecting the health of our residents as far as possible. We will continue to be guided by public health advice and if the situation changes locally, we will review the measures and may re-introduce them again in the future.”

 For more information please visit www.york.gov.uk/coronavirus

 To contact the local authority about the Bishopthorpe scheme please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.