Ann Reid posed the following question to Cllr Dave Merrett at the last York City Council meeting
“In congratulating the Minster authorities on the success of their ‘York Minster Revealed’ project, does the Cabinet Member share my concern about the conflict between some fast moving cyclists and pedestrians in the new “Minster Piazza” on Deangate and would he agree to sign the area as a pedestrian priority zone?”
The response was,
“The Piazza scheme is a bold scheme in a very active area. The space allows for access by pedestrians, cyclists and horse drawn carriages, as previously. All users are expected to use the space with due consideration and respect.
The issue of potential user conflict was considered during the detailed design of the scheme, and it was not considered appropriate or necessary to seek to prohibit cycle access. Introducing a cyclist ban is likely to push some cyclists onto the very narrow and already congested Gillygate corridor, and discourage others from cycling, contrary to long standing Council policy.
There is recognition that there will be some initial teething issues.
Officers have liaised with those involved in both New Road, Brighton and Exhibition Road, London, both of which experienced some initial problems.
To seek to counter any early downsides to this project, officers (working with the Minster) are looking to assist people and monitor how people use the space and move through it.
To that effect we will be placing some additional temporary signage on the approaches while users adapt to the new layout.
These will seek to raise awareness of the presence of pedestrians, cyclists and horse drawn carriages and encourage sharing and consideration.
This being a measure which has been successful elsewhere.
The scheme will be subject to a stage 3 Safety Audit (as is standard practise) and a further audit could also be undertaken in 12 months time.
Officers are hopeful that through these actions such initial concerns will be allayed”.