TRANSPORT chiefs who have hailed a controversial York cycling scheme a success are set to look at ways of easing the traffic problems it has created.

The introduction of a cycle lane at Clifton Green junction last year, the cost of which ultimately reached £540,000, sparked anger among people living nearby. They said motorists searching for alternative routes had turned streets near their homes into dangerous “rat runs”.

But a report which was going before City of York Council today says the project has succeeded in its key aim of encouraging more people to take up cycling, although it also recommends that action is taken to ensure the move does not lead to traffic gridlock in the area.

Among the options which may be considered are altering the timing of traffic lights at the junction during peak times and at weekends to reduce the number of cars taking diversions along nearby routes such as Westminster Road and The Avenue.

The scheme, which was originally earmarked to cost £300,000, saw the old left-hand filter lane given over to cyclists, but this caused tailbacks for motorists turning from Water End into Shipton Road.

The report said it was “not considered appropriate to remove the cycle lane to reinstate a left-turn filter”.

“The data shows the implementation of the cycle scheme has significantly increased cycling levels, and there is an expectation levels will increase further over the summer,” it said. “Traffic queues have increased even though traffic flows have decreased as junction delay has been increased as a result of the loss of capacity. It would be possible to consider further alterations to the traffic signals to alter the timings.”

The figures showed the number of cyclists using the eastbound route had increased by 34 per cent during the morning rush-hour and 113 per cent during the evening peak in November last year, compared with the previous September.