Campaigners call for station cycle lanes to open

1 hour ago

Samantha WhelanYorkshire

News image — York Cycle Campaign's Robyn Jankel says it is currently "dangerous" and "scary" cycling to the train station

BBC / Samantha Whelan A woman with pink and purple ombre hair and pale skin stands in front of a cordoned off cycle lane with her bicycle. She is wearing a navy and white stripe sundress, and blue and red bangles on her wrist. Her bicycle is black with a basket on the front and fake flowers and fairy lights twined around it. — York Cycle Campaign's Robyn Jankel says it is currently "dangerous" and "scary" cycling to the train station

Campaigners have urged the council to open cycle lanes outside York's railway station as the main pedestrian crossing has been "completed for weeks".

The lanes are currently cordoned off with plastic barriers, meaning cyclists are sharing the narrowed road with buses and cars.

City of York Council said it is "grateful for everyone's continued patience" and that paving works have sometimes blocked the footpath, "diverting pedestrians into the cycle lane".

"Once this stage is complete, it will be safe to begin a phased opening of the cycle routes," a spokesperson said.

Robyn Jankel, from York Cycle Campaign, said it was "dangerous" and "scary" cycling to the railway station.

"We're sharing the road with a lot of motorised vehicles including buses, including emergency vehicles, and people are impatient because they want to get their train.

"It's not a safe part of town to be on your bike without cycle lanes there, and the longer they're out of use, the more dangerous it is."

BBC / Samantha Whelan A close up photos of a bicycle traffic light, with the red light illuminated. York Station can be seen reflected in the unlit lights, and there's red plastic barriers by the road behind. There are more traffic lights, and trees and grass in the background. — The regeneration of the area at the front of the station began in 2023, with an original budget of £26m

The regeneration of the area at the front of the station began in 2023 and was originally due to be completed in May 2025.

The original budget was £26m but is forecast to be £34m over budget.

Andy Shrimpton, co-owner of Cycle Heaven next to the station, claimed the work has also affected business.

"With the council's targets to get more people to use buses and cycles you would think there would be a clear commitment to get the rest of the cycle route outside the station complete."

City of York Council said it has "worked hard to maintain access to properties and businesses" and is "as keen as everyone to start opening up areas of the site so that people can feel the full benefits of the Station Gateway project".

"Upcoming inspections will determine a fixed date for opening the majority of the cycle lanes and as soon as we have this information, we'll publicise it widely," a spokesperson added.

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