Long-standing plans to improve journeys and reduce congestion on York's A1237 Outer Ring Road have taken a significant step forward with the publication of a new delivery plan.
It shows how the changes will be delivered in phases, initially prioritising improvements that will increase capacity at key points on the route, support major new housing developments across the city and unlock further investment.
The York Outer Ring Road project will:
- upgrade the road and roundabouts between Rawcliffe and Little Hopgrove
- encourage more traffic to use the outer ring road rather than city centre routes, helping reduce congestion across York
- deliver active travel improvements for pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists, providing safer and more attractive ways to travel
Leader of City of York Council, Councillor Claire Douglas said:
"Confirming this delivery plan is an important milestone in the city’s vision to deliver improved travel options for users of the northern outer ring road.
Making these improvements to the ring road are essential in making the lives and journeys of residents and visitors easier, while supporting York’s businesses by reducing the time lost to congestion.
"This plan sets out a practical and deliverable way of making those improvements. It first focuses on enabling upcoming developments that will bring the new homes, including affordable homes, we all want to see built. It will also reduce traffic congestion in the city centre and enable us to lock in significant improvements to bus and active travel options.
"We recognise that improving the Outer Ring Road has been talked about for a long time. This plan will help us to start delivering the changes the city needs."
The improvements will be delivered in four phases:
- Phase 1A - A19 to Wigginton Road Roundabout, including Clifton Moor Roundabout
- Phase 1B - Wigginton Road Roundabout to Haxby Road Roundabout
- Phase 1C - Haxby Road Roundabout to Strensall Road Roundabout
- Phase 1D - Strensall Road Roundabout to Little Hopgrove, including Monks Cross Roundabout
The first phase, between the A19 and Wigginton Road, will include dualling of the road, a larger roundabout at Clifton Moor and improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, including new paths, an underpass and crossings. Funding is available through the Department for Transport, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the council, and the council is proceeding with its full business case.
Ahead of these works, a permanent acoustic barrier will be installed to help reduce the impact of traffic noise on nearby residents in Rawcliffe, with targeted installation early in 2027.
Later phases will continue the dualling of the Outer Ring Road, increase capacity at key roundabouts and include new bridges over the York to Scarborough railway line and the River Foss. Three further underpasses are also planned at Haxby Road and Strensall Road roundabouts to improve safety and accessibility for people walking, wheeling and cycling. The council is working with the Department for Transport and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure the necessary additional funding to deliver the project in full.
ENDS