New details been revealed about a scheme to ban private traffic driving through a major York route – including when it will start.
An 18-month trial of the Rougier Route which aims to speed up bus journeys is set to begin in January subject to an upcoming decision, City of York Council officials have said.
Tom Horner, the council’s travel behaviour lead, said fundamental changes were needed to make buses and transport more reliable and sustainable.
Council Labour transport spokesperson Cllr Kate Ravilious said the scheme aimed to break the vicious cycle of slower buses leading to less passengers and higher fares.
Proposals for the £2.35 million trail scheme are set to go before the council’s executive on Tuesday, July 7.
What the scheme will do
The scheme would see private traffic barred from driving from Rougier Street along George Hudson Street to Micklegate during the 18-month trial if proposals are approved.
The route would remain open to buses, cyclists and emergency services vehicles with restrictions in place from 7am to 11pm daily.
A new one-way loop would send private traffic from Rougier Street and along Tanner Row, Toft Green and Micklegate to the junction with George Hudson Street.
A bus lane would run southbound along George Hudson Street with a ‘bus gate’ in place from the road’s junction with Micklegate to the latter’s junction with Skeldergate and North Street.
Penalty fines and pauses
Warnings would be given for breaking the rules for the trial’s first six months with fines handed out afterwards, though repeat offenders in the initial half year would receive penalties.
Mr Horner said the trial could be paused if necessary to avoid congestion if road works are taking place elsewhere.
The official added the scheme would likely be paused while Lendal Bridge is closed to traffic for works which are set to get underway next year following delays.
Confirmation of when the scheme will start comes as a number of changes have been made to the proposals following a series of consultations which began last summer.
Residents and taxis
Hackney carriage taxis and Blue Badge holders would be exempt from the restrictions, following warnings from the former that the restrictions could increase their journey times and costs for passengers.
Private hire drivers will continue to be barred along the route but restrictions on them and other aspects of the trial would be kept under review.
A registration system to allow access for Blue Badge holders and Bishophill residents travelling to and from their homes would also be created at a cost of £150,000.
Disability rights activist Flick Williams threatened legal action against the council unless Blue Badge holders were exempt from the restrictions.
Consultation results
Work to inform tourists, delivery and freight drivers, business visitors and satnav and online maps operators of the changes would also be done if the proposals are backed.
Almost three fifths, about 58.4 per cent, of people who took part in a council consultation on the proposals said they would or could make buses more reliable.
About 79.5 per cent said York was negatively affected by congestion but only around 37.4 per cent said they would definitely use the bus if sustainable routes are introduced.
Buses slowing down
More than 1,000 buses use the Rougier Street and George Hudson Street corridor every day, according to council data.
Figures also showed buses are currently travelling an average of 4mph from Stonebow to York Station.
Average journeys of the 840 and 843 Coastliner service have increased by 16 minutes, a third longer, between Blossom Street and Peasholme Green from 2019 to 2025.
Cllr Ravilious said measures to free up roads for buses were needed and all the evidence suggested Rougier Street and George Hudson Street corridor was the place to do it.
Cllr Ravilious said: “The only way improvements we’ve already made to buses will work is if they can get through the traffic.
“When you look at traffic jams in York it’s often one person sat in a car but one bus can take up to 70 people which is 70 fewer cars, if we can get more people on buses that frees up roads for people who need to drive.”
