A REVIEW is to be launched into whether Fossgate should be closed to traffic during the day.

As revealed in The Press last week, 785 local businesses, residents and shoppers signed a petition calling for the city-centre street's closure, which they say would create a "more continental and safer shopping environment".

The signatories want the street closed to vehicles between 11am and 10pm or 11pm daily, and have been backed by local councillors Brian Watson and Janet Looker.

At last night's meeting of City of York Council's city strategy panel, councillors asked officers to investigate expanding the city's Footstreets Pedestrian Priority Zone and specifically to include Fossgate in that investigation.

In a consultation for a report to the panel, Coun Looker said: "I think Fossgate cries out for pedestrianisation, down to and including Foss Bridge; it would be very easy for most traffic to divert down Piccadilly and then cut through to join Walmgate below the bridge."

Martyn Macdonald, of Macdonald's furniture shop, said: "I think it would make the street a better place to be and work, and make it a lot more attractive.

"If it's done properly, with removing kerbings and making it all on one level, with the amount of cafs and restaurants we have got, I think it would be a very good thing for the street."

In a report to councillors, Ian Stokes, principal transport planner at the council, wrote: "If the proposal were to be rejected, then this could be a missed opportunity to revitalise a section of the city centre which is often overlooked by shoppers and tourists. It may also reduce the attractiveness for businesses to locate in this area and for pedestrian activity, due to a perception of danger because of the restricted nature of the street due to its narrowness and highsided buildings."

Coun Ann Reid, executive member for city strategy, said: "We have always been very supportive of pedestrianisation and, obviously, Fossgate is one of those that has been talked about for sometime.

"I am pleased that the recommendation advises that we proceed with this."