Scheme of the Month - Road Closure, Terry Avenue, York
Terry Avenue is a narrow road 3.96m wide which runs between the River Ouse and Rowntree Park. The Avenue had become a commuter rat run, used by 1,100 vehicles per day and was used as a linear car park, despite being part of National Cycle Network route 65.
A consultation on the closure of the road, led by York City Council, received a very poor response rate, and the small number of people who did respond rejected the closure. Speeding traffic continued to endanger pedestrians and cyclists, as well as those emerging from the park so a second consulation mechanism was developed. This time a leaflet was sent to 1,800 residents using artist’s impressions and a freepost survey. 80% of respondants supported the closure.
In 1991, the road was closed along the park with two wooden gates with cycle gaps, and the verges “planted” with wooden posts to prevent parking, creating a pleasant traffic free route. Sadly, fairly soon after closure a van crashed through the gates, subsequently one wooden gate was replaced with a metal one and the other with a row of sturdy concrete bollards.
The scheme cost around £5,000 creating 0.6km of traffic free route cost-effectively. The Avenue is used by many hundreds of people walking, jogging and cycling each day. It is now a great place to unwind after a hard day in the office. It also links to the Millennium Bridge across the River Ouse. The trees which border the road, which used to get hit by lorries, now form a green canopy. It does occasionally flood which makes for exciting cycling!
For further information please contact Tim Pheby, who worked on the scheme while at the City of York Council.
