THREE councillors have made fresh demands for action to be taken to prevent danger on two York streets which they say have become “rat runs” for drivers.

David Scott, Helen Douglas and Ken King, who represent the Clifton ward, have called in a decision by City of York Council’s executive member for city strategy, Coun Steve Galloway, not to close Westminster Road and The Avenue to through traffic following the implementation of the nearby Water End cycle scheme.

They said allowing the road to stay open for drivers trying to avoid queues and not reinstalling a left-hand filter lane have put residents at risk, with their call going to the authority’s all-party scrutiny management committee today for a decision on whether Coun Galloway will be asked to look at the issue again.

“While the council has tried to portray the changes to the Water End junction with Clifton Green as a success for cyclists, it has come at a price to local residents which is too high to pay,” said Coun Scott.

“When the scheme was first proposed, I raised concerns and predicted this would happen, and sadly those predictions have come true. The left-hand filter lane needs to be reinstated and a closure of the rat run on Westminster Road and The Avenue implemented.

“There are a number of options open in order to achieve the closure, including a rising bollard, which would allow residents to reclaim their street.”