YORK'S newest rising bollard began its work today.

Residents in Bishophill have got their own "front door" as a new bid to halt rat-running was launched.

City of York Council has unveiled the £28,000 dual bollard scheme for people living in Bishophill.

The bollard will seal off the entrance to Victoria Bar in Nunnery Lane to all motorists except residential traffic and emergency vehicles.

Residents will now need a special pass to enter Bishophill through the bar. They have frequently complained about rat-running during peak hours.

More than 200 residents have already been issued with special electronic passes to ensure they will be able to raise and lower the two bollards upon leaving or entering the area.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's executive member for transport, said: "It is a smaller feature of our £50 million Local Transport Plan programme, but I know it is one which has been much in demand from people in the area and one which will improve residents' quality of life and give them back their streets."

The council is stressing that taxi drivers, who have been kept informed of developments, will not enjoy the exemption they do at Stonebow.

Meanwhile, work to replace a gas main on a busy York road was causing major delays for some Park&Ride services in the city.

Chiefs at First said some buses were suffering up to 30 minutes delay as they got stuck in congestion on Bishopthorpe Road.

The road is closed between the junctions of Vine Street and Nunnery Lane until March 31 as Transco replaces the gas main.

Peter Edwards, commercial manager, said: "The works are causing delays of up to 20 to 30 minutes at peak times. We are being quite heavily affected."

A City of York Council spokesman said: "This is a vital Transco project and we have been working with them to try to minimise any disruption to traffic.

"We understand they have given plenty of notice of the scheme so motorists have had a chance to make alternative transport arrangements, pick another route or stagger their travelling plans to avoid the busiest periods."

Updated: 10:41 Wednesday, March 05, 2003