'Put us on the map' plea

Firms in the area are clamouring for the City of York Council to take action to put them clearly on the map.

Traders want better signposting, better access for motorists and greater use of bicycles in and out of the retail, commercial and industrial estate.

The survey on traffic and transport issues was organised by the Clifton Moor Business Association at the invitation of the city authorities.

Deadline is next Sunday but by last week half the returns were in and of these the overwhelming majority -71 per cent - confirm the Association's consistent claim - that the efficiency and competitiveness of Clifton Moor is being hindered by inadequate signposting.

They confirm that clients, customers and delivery drivers all have difficulty finding their way around.

As many as 93 per cent of the returns so far also confirm that people had called at their premises for ask for directions on Clifton Moor.

And to illustrate that this was not an occasional event, 60 per cent claimed that they had fielded as many as 25 similar inquiries.

Solicitor Jane Sachedina, chairwoman of the Association, said:

"This clearly proves overwhelmingly what our members have always known - that people find it very difficult to find their way around Clifton Moor and there is a desperate need for more adequate signage in the area"

The survey results so far also suggest that if cycle storage racks were built on Clifton Moor more employees would cycle to work there rather than take their cars, cutting down on rush hour traffic.

Of the returns so far 61 per cent of businesses reported that they have employees who travel to work by bike, yet only 39 per cent of the firms had cycle storage racks on their premises.

Mrs Sachedina said: "This would seem to indicate that more people would cycle to work if they could be sure that their bicycle would be safe.

"Provision of these sheds could be a joint venture between the Council and the Association, but these are issues yet to be discussed."