Council Executive to consider undertaking Front Street engagement

At a meeting next week (20 February), the Executive Member for Economy and Transport will be presented with the proposed approach and potential scope of works for Front Street in Acomb, one of York’s key secondary shopping areas.

In October 2023, £570,000 of UKSPF funding was allocated to make improvements in Front Street.

Since then, the council has been listening to residents and other stakeholders and next week the Executive Member will be asked to agree to engage and test the potential scope of phase 2 works. This may include:

• Enhancing the area, creating a more people friendly space and reducing the number of bollards
• Extending the benefits beyond the high street to better connect local amenities
• Creating a more accessible destination, for example through generously-sized pedestrian crossings and accessible car parking
• Considering longer-term aspirations, including pedestrianisation of the road

The recommendation is to open engagement for phase 2 of the Front Street scheme in order to receive feedback and test some initial ideas. This phase aims to create a more welcoming space, increase accessibility and extend the benefits to the wider area beyond the high street. The approach acknowledges community feedback regarding the bollards and proposes to substantially reduce their number.

Further public engagement will inform and allow officers to work up and finalise detailed designs to be presented for consideration and approval by the council’s Executive in Summer 2024.

Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Transport at City of York Council, said:

“Front Street plays a very important role in the local community and the wider city, and it is clear that both residents and businesses are keen to see improvements made to the area.

“We recognise that the works carried out under the last administration, using UKSPF money, were not universally popular. However, there were some positive changes that we can build on, including repaired pavements and new accessible seating, tactile crossings and cycle racks.

“But the bollards are disliked by many in the community, and we will use this latest funding to address that issue. By working with residents and businesses we will find a way to make Front Street more accessible and welcoming. It is essential that the local community, including traders, are at the heart of any design process so we can use the funds in the best way possible and make Front Street a better place for everyone.”

Find out more about the scheme at www.york.gov.uk/AcombFrontStreet

The report and further details of the meeting can be viewed at https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1061&MId=14343