We reported last week that pedestrian guard rails had gone missing from outside the Spar store on Acomb Road (near the Fox junction).

There had been no consultation with residents and concerns were raised as the railings had originally been installed specifically to stop children walking out onto what is a busy highway junction.

Later an official said that the removal was part of the City’s “de-cluttering” programme!

Now, as work starts on installing new traffic lights at the junction, a new plan has been unveiled by the Council.

Instead of safety railings, bollards will be installed on the pavement outside the Spar store.

While this might deter pavement parking (and unloading) they are as useless as a chocolate fireguard in channelling pedestrians to safe crossing points.

However, on the other side of the road between 167 and 171 Holgate Road safety railings will be provided!

Meanwhile the Council has issued the following statement about the work going on at the traffic lights

City of York Council will be carrying out essential works to upgrade a key junction in the city from today (Monday 15 April).

Works will involve the complete renewal and upgrade of the existing traffic signals, improvements to the footways and street furniture throughout the junction area and works to resurface the carriageways.
The junction is known locally as ‘The Fox’ junction due to its proximity to The Fox public house and is a busy junction serving both local users and also longer distance travellers.

The upgraded junction will work more efficiently for all road users and provide modern and safe crossing facilities. The works form a key part of the Access York Park & Ride project, and will support the operation of the new Park & Ride bus service from the city centre, via Holgate Park Drive to the new Park & Ride site at Poppleton Bar.

The majority of the works will be carried out on weekdays between the hours of 9.15am and 4.30pm. More complex tasks, such as the road re-surfacing may be carried outside of these hours during periods of lower traffic flow.

The duration of the work will be in the region of three to four weeks, with completion scheduled for mid May 2013.

To ensure road user safety, a full set of temporary traffic signals with pedestrian facilities will be provided. These lights will be manned during peak periods and manually controlled to keep traffic moving through the construction area during the works.

City of York Council’s Highways will be responsible for public safety around the civil engineering works. As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience, but this will be kept to a minimum.