City of York Council is backing bus firm First York ahead of a ward committee meeting at Osbaldwick on Monday (July 29) which will discuss bus movements in the area.

The council is already working with the ward committee and Osbaldwick Parish Council to look at traffic management in the area and provide a long-term strategy taking into account any impact of major developments such as B and Q and Rowntrees' proposed 'New Osbaldwick' village.

B and Q has already set aside cash for traffic management improvements if needed as a result of its store on Hull Road but the council has been unable to verify claims from some residents of traffic problems. Some residents are also complaining about bus movements in the area and will raise them with First York at Monday's meeting.

But today the council's transport planners backed the bus company and reassured residents that it was already monitoring traffic issues in the area.

Peter Evely, the council's head of highway regulation, said, "We appreciate that a minority of residents have raised concerns about traffic and bus movements in Osbaldwick but we have been unable to identify any major issues. For the long term, we are already working with the ward committee and the parish council and have been for quite some time. Everyone is on board with this approach.

"We are still committed to monitoring the situation in the area and implementing any improvements when necessary and as part of that long-term overall strategy for the area.

"B & Q set did set aside some money but to date we have only identified one particular issue which relates to the need to discourage traffic from entering the village at speed from the Link Road.

"We are already working on this and have already changed the physical layout of the junction. As part of this scheme we are also planning to improve the junction at Osbaldwick Link Road and Murton Way."

In relation to claims of problems with buses Dan Johnson, one of the council's principal transport planners, said today that First York were providing a popular service for the area.

He said, "City of York Council is supportive of the decision by First York to operate high quality and high frequency bus services between Osbaldwick and the city centre.

"High quality, frequent and reliable bus services are part of the council's wider transport strategy and give residents the opportunity to travel more sustainably reducing reliance on the private car. Service 6 has been particularly popular with residents and following its success will be extended to serve York District Hospital/Clifton and Clifton Moor from September 2."

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