A CONTROVERSIAL York junction could be changed because of the traffic problems it has sparked.

Roads experts at City of York Council are to look at whether a left-hand filter lane removed when the Water End cycling scheme was introduced last year might be reinstated to stop nearby roads used as “rat runs”.

People living in Westminster Road and The Avenue say their peace has been destroyed and their safety jeopardised by motorists using the streets to avoid queues at Clifton Green junction since the changes were brought in 15 months ago.

Council officers say they could study ways of potentially reintroducing the filter lane by slotting a cycle route between two vehicle lanes, in a move agreed by the authority’s ruling executive, with initial estimates putting the cost at about £35,000.

It comes after a campaign of pressure from residents, backed by local councillors, won a rethink on the issue, with the council having originally said reinstating the filter lane was unlikely.

Clifton councillor Ken King said: “This is a very significant day in the life of this long-standing problem.

“Residents of Westminster Road have spoken very forcefully about how this issue has blighted their street, which, until the Water End changes, was relatively peaceful and safe for children.”

A cross-party task group set up to look at the Water End problems concluded action needed to be taken because increased traffic in Westminster Road and The Avenue was caused by a council-led scheme.

Its findings have also seen the executive back the trialling of chicanes in Westminster Road, although a full road closure has been deemed “inappropriate”.

Coun King’s fellow Clifton councillor, David Scott, said: “Finally, after all the pressure and representations from councillors, the executive seems as though it is seeing sense.

“My own view is that a closure of Westminster Road and The Avenue will be needed, either by way of a rising bollard or temporary closure.”

The council’s executive member for city strategy, Coun Steve Galloway, said reinstating the filter lane could mean “significant expense”, adding: “My view remains that the Water End scheme has been a success, in so far as it has achieved its aim of increasing the number of cyclists using this part of the orbital cycle route.

“More traffic is using Westminster Road but, in comparative terms, this is still at a low volume when compared to similar roads elsewhere.”