CITY of York Council has been working to reduce journey times and traffic on the A1237 outer ring road for many years.

We have developed alternatives to car use, such as a new Park & Ride site at Poppleton, subsidy to an orbital No. 20 bus service and a new cycle path between Haxby Road and Clifton Moor.

Within constrained budgets over the past 10 years, we have provided a new roundabout at the Moor Lane junction, increased capacity on the northern approach to Strensall Roundabout and upgraded the A19 and A59 roundabouts.

The council hopes to dual the busiest sections of the A1237 but it requires bridges over the East Coast main line and River Ouse, which are very expensive. Making flyovers at the junctions would reduce journey times further, but at even higher cost and environmental impact.

Dualling would only be effective if the roundabouts were also upgraded. Therefore, the council is working with partners to fund the roundabout upgrades (approximately £37 million investment) through the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund. Preliminary design work is being undertaken and more detailed design and consultation will begin when the funding is confirmed.

Tony Clarke, Head of Transport City of York Council