The proposed changes to the A19/A64 junction will form the first phase in the A19 Pinch Point Scheme, which York received approximately £2million for from the government’s Department for Transport, aimed at helping support growth and tackle congestion.

A design proposal for this first phase of the scheme will now go forward for approval in order to progress and implement the alterations to the A64/A19 interchange.

These are largely capacity improvements for all northbound traffic originating from the Selby direction, but will also improve journey times through the interchange for inbound public transport.

The council bid for and successfully secured millions in funding from a share of the £170 million government Pinch Point Funding in 2013 to protect the A19 from any future closure. York received approximately £2million from the Department for Transport towards the cost of the £4.7m project which will help towards supporting local transport schemes that tackle congestion and support growth.

The remaining funding will be provided from the private sector and existing council transport budgets.

The report only approves the progression of phase one through to construction and commencement of consultation on phase two. Phase three will be subject to a later report for the Pinch Point Scheme. Phase two proposals include improvement works to the junction of the A19 Selby Road and B1222 Naburn Lane, to improve the traffic management of inbound A19 traffic flows during the AM peak.

Phase three proposals currently include works to link in to the planned traffic signal junction at the proposed new access to the Germany Beck development.  The new access to the development site to be constructed by Persimmon plc as part of their planning obligation for the development will raise the road level of the A19, to protect the road from flooding.

Businesses and those users directly affected by the works (no residents live within close proximity to the first phase of works) were asked to submit comments in December.

It is anticipated that, subject to approval, construction would commence in the spring of 2015.

Future phases will be consulted on separately to this first phase in early 2015 and are set to be constructed later in the year. All published consultation material can be viewed at: www.york.gov.uk/A19pinchpoint .Cabinet will take place on Tuesday 20 January at West Offices from 5.30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch live online from:  www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

To find out more about the report, or to attend, visit: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=8890