York outer ring road dualling scheme

YORR planning application update

Following City of York’s planning committee on Tuesday 19 March 2024, and referral to the Secretary of State, the YORR planning application has now been approved.

Full details can be found on the Planning Access Portal, using the search reference 22/02020/FULM.

Webcast for Planning Committee A on Tuesday, 19 March 2024.

Agenda for Planning Committee A on Tuesday, 19 March 2024, 2.30pm.

Public Pack Agenda Document for Planning Committee A, 19 March 2024, 2.30pm.

The York Outer Ring Road (YORR) scheme, led by the council, aims to:

improve York’s highway network
reduce congestion
facilitate the movement of car journeys out of the city centre
enhance the pedestrian and cycle experience with improvements to active travel provision along the network

Background and the plan ahead

We'll update this page as the YORR project progresses:

the need for YORR improvements
prioritisation of the northern YORR
enabling works
planning application
proposed improvements for pedestrians and cyclists
landscaping and biodiversity
our objectives
impact on city centre traffic flows
direct engagement with landowners
public engagement
construction stages and duration
sustainable practices
local employment and skills opportunities
further information about the York Outer Ring Road Scheme

The need for YORR improvements

The upgrade of the road and the roundabouts aims to reduce congestion and journey times, encouraging traffic out of the city centre and onto larger roads where flows can be managed effectively.

Computer generated image showing the indicative design of the proposed Strensall underpass.

The scheme doesn't propose any 'grade-separation' at junctions for the carriageway, using flyovers and underpasses, as this would be significantly more expensive, and would not be cost-effective due to the prohibitively high cost of the structures involved and extra land required.

We do propose to construct new pedestrian and cycle subways underneath the A1237 as part of these works.

This will be supported by other council projects to improve public transport, cycling, and walking in the city centre, in order to ‘lock in’ the benefits that the YORR improvements will deliver.

Computer generated image showing the indicative design of the proposed Strensall Road junction.

The funding commitment of £38 million by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, £25 million from the Department for Transport, along with additional contributions of £8.6 million (which includes the council’s own contribution of £3.6 million) has enabled us to progress this scheme.

York’s draft Local Plan shows where development is anticipated to take place over the next 15 years, including areas set aside for housing and new jobs. Reducing existing journey delays and improving active travel options will help us to manage the extra traffic as more people commute to work and travel to access education, services, and other facilities.

Top of page

Prioritisation of the northern YORR

The northern sections of the A1237 have been prioritised as the most beneficial to be upgraded at this time, with the largest impact on reducing congestion and delays.

We don't have the level of funding to progress upgrading further stretches of the A1237 to the west of the city, especially the busy sections which cross the River Ouse and the East Coast railway line. This is due to the prohibitive expense of the new structures, such as bridges, required here.

However, we continue to pursue further funding opportunities to help realise the aspiration of full dualling of all of the A1237 in the future.

Dualling of the A64 east of Hopgrove

The A64 is a strategic road (trunk road) and is operated and maintained by National Highways, not the council. Proposals to improve the A64 east of Hopgrove were put forward for funding consideration via the government’s Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) and are under review.

Top of page

Enabling works

In June 2022, an Executive report was presented to Senior Councillors on the York Outer Ring Road scheme. They agreed to proceed with the procurement and implementation of utility diversions to avoid delays to the future construction phase of the scheme.

These enabling works would allow the full scheme to progress. Diverting utilities at an early stage will help to avoid costly delays to the project.

Top of page

Planning application

The planning application has the aim of reducing existing congestion, improving active travel facilities for pedestrians and cyclists as well as facilitating the movement of car journeys out of the city centre.

The proposals are for upgrades along the York Outer Ring Road from the A19 Shipton Road to the A1036 Little Hopgrove roundabout and would see improvements to 6 sections of the northern York Outer Ring Road, including 5 roundabouts at:

Clifton Moor
Haxby Road
Monks Cross
Strensall Road
Wigginton Road

These 5 roundabouts will be enlarged to a similar size and standard as the recently completed A1237/B1224 Wetherby Road roundabout, completed in 2019.

As part of the plans, the existing single-carriageway road will be widened to dual-carriageway roads in both directions to reduce congestion.

Watch some videos about the planning application:

June 2023 updates to the planning application

Updates made to the planning application in June 2023 included:

An updated review of the cycling provision, in accordance with Local Transport Note 1/20 guidance, which shows that the scheme would provide much improved active travel facilities. The scheme has a Cycle Level of Service (CLoS) score of 82%, exceeding the minimum acceptable overall score (70%).
Results of the Junction Assessment Tool finding that the scheme provides safe ways to cross the road with underpasses at the Shipton Road, Clifton Moor, Haxby and Strensall Road roundabouts with safe signalised crossings at the Wigginton Road roundabout.
An updated Biodiversity Net Gain report which continues to demonstrate a comprehensive package of enhancement measures, including planting, screening and habitat creation. Also now included is a recommendation to increase river biodiversity off site.
Details of the removal of the holding objection from National Highways.
Responses to the Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Board.
Slight amendments to drawings and narrative to resolve queries from CYC Highways Development Control.
Responses to comments from Natural England.
Responses to comments from CYC Drainage and Ecology Officers.

Further updates were made to the application in December 2023

Following feedback from residents and statutory consultees, the YORR planning application has been updated to provide additional information and clarifications.

In December 2023 updates were made to the planning application including:

additional drainage information, a revised Drainage Strategy Report and drawings in response to queries raised by the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) and Lead Local Flood Authority
a new Water Framework Directive Assessment Report, addressing comments raised by the Environment Agency
amendments to the General Arrangement drawings following consultation with Active Travel England, including improved provision at crossings to accommodate additional turning space for larger cycles

Full details of the planning application can be found on the Planning Access portal, using the search reference 22/02020/FULM.

Top of page

Proposed improvements for pedestrians and cyclists

As an important part of the scheme, we're looking to upgrade pedestrian and cycle facilities, creating an orbital cycle and pedestrian route from the A19 Shipton Road roundabout to the Strensall Road roundabout, to help encourage the uptake of active travel.

York outer ring road roundabouts location diagram

The scheme proposes:

significant additional pedestrian and cycleway networks, creating safe and attractive routes helping to link residential areas with key employment, retail and educational facilities
retaining and enhancing all public footpaths and bridleways, with some new connections and safer crossing facilities, increasing connections for communities
a new underpass at Clifton Moor
2 new underpasses at Haxby, in addition to the 2 that exist at present
a new underpass at Strensall Road roundabout

A1237/B1363 Wigginton Road signal controlled crossings

A consultation on the York Outer Ring Road scheme was held in 2020, which identified a need for safer pedestrian crossings.

Data gathered has shown that the number of pedestrians and cyclists travelling between Wigginton Road south and Wigginton Road north across the A1237 is very low, with an average of 25 crossings per day.

Following expert advice, it was decided that controlled crossings would be the best solution based on modelling the demand, land availability and affordability.

Other options such as a bridge or underpass were also considered but ruled out based on cost and environmental grounds.

Specialist software was used to model the effect the crossings will have on traffic. This testing, which considered both morning and evening scenarios, has shown that the crossings can operate safely and acceptably during busy periods.

While the crossings will stop traffic, it's crucial that queues don't affect the main junction's safe operation.

The impact on traffic of the crossing is low; when pedestrians and cyclists use the crossing their 'green light time' is approximately 10 seconds, and traffic is only halted for approximately 30 seconds.

Top of page

Landscaping and biodiversity

The project includes a comprehensive landscape scheme, retaining existing trees and hedgerows where we can, and looking at opportunities for ‘net gain’ to provide substantial additional tree planting and landscaping along the route. We're aiming to introduce:

tree and woodland planting
species-rich hedgerow planting
specimen trees and feature planting at key locations
species-rich grassland including wildflowers
a system of sustainable drainage ditches

The landscaping scheme will incorporate a range of biodiversity measures including planting to benefit pollinators. It will complement the local environment, integrating the new road corridor into the fabric of the existing landscape.

We're also committed to the efficient use of natural resources for carbon absorption and will use energy-saving measures wherever we can to reduce the carbon footprint of the scheme.

Top of page

Our objectives

The objectives of the scheme include:

A computer generated example of what one of the roundabouts could look like.

reduced congestion and delays on the YORR
provision of active travel networks primarily through delivery of a new continuous cycle and pedestrian route from A19 Shipton Road to Strensall Road with safe connections by underpasses or controlled crossings; this will be a new attractive facility promoting opportunities for cycling and walking in York
improved safety on the YORR and the reducing of accidents
facilitating redistribution of through-traffic from York city centre due to the decongestion of the YORR, which will assist in improving air quality
enable better access to employment, retail, health and leisure sites in York which serve the surrounding population and facilitating planned commercial and residential development identified in key sites in the emerging Local Plan
enhanced connectivity to the A1(M) and other strategic destinations via the YORR
enhanced journey time reliability for cross-county movements between origins and destinations in North Yorkshire
providing an attractive environment and boosting biodiversity within the road corridor through the landscaping scheme

Top of page

Impact on city centre traffic flows

We’ve forecast the impact on traffic flows in York city centre once the York Outer Ring Road (YORR) Dualling Scheme in place using our strategic Transport Model to compare 2 scenarios, in the year 2025 (with and without YORR scheme), in the morning peak hour and afternoon peak hour.

The 2025 scenarios were used in the Local Plan examination and include planned developments such as York Central and the forecast build of Local Plan sites.

The 2025 scenarios show some reductions in city centre traffic flows (in ‘Passenger Car Units’) with YORR in place.

This creates an opportunity to use the space created by the outer ring road dualling for higher priority transport modes, which will be subject to separate decision-making in the context of the Local Transport Strategy.

Tables of 2025 scenarios traffic flow results

Tables of data show changes where traffic flows have decreased by at least 10% in one peak period (changes lower than 5% are not significant).

Notable decreases (indicated by asterisks*) occur on:

Gillygate, north-bound
Haxby Road
Wigginton Road
Ouse Bridge

The most significant locations are shown in bold text.

Morning scenario results

View an enlarged map of the morning flow difference (opens in new window)

Location	With YORR (A)	Without YORR (B)	Difference (B-A)	Percentage difference
Lord Mayor’s Walk, south-bound	505	561	-56	-10%
Bootham, north-bound	350	411	-61	-15%
Holgate Road, east-bound	612	682	-70	-10%
Gillygate, north-bound*	402	454	-52	-11%
Haxby Road, south-bound*	454	556	-103	-18%
Haxby Road, north-bound*	314	414	-101	-24%
Ouse Bridge, west-bound*	225	261	-36	-14%
Ouse Bridge, east-bound*	261	316	-55	-18%
Lendal Bridge, east-bound	430	504	-74	-15%
Blossom Street, north-bound	704	787	-83	-11%
Crichton Avenue, west-bound	320	369	-49	-13%
Exhibition Square, north-bound	429	503	-74	-15%
Monkgate, west-bound	401	425	-24	-6%
Monkgate, east-bound	712	786	-74	-9%
Wigginton Road, north-bound	535	595	-60	-10%
Wigginton Road, south-bound	545	621	-76	-12%

On the map, green lines show decreases in traffic flows, red lines show increased traffic flow.

Afternoon scenario results

View an enlarged map of the afternoon flow difference (opens in new window)

Location	With YORR (A)	Without YORR (B)	Difference (B-A)	Percentage difference
Lord Mayor’s Walk, south-bound	545	561	-16	-3%
Bootham, north-bound	414	426	-12	-3%
Holgate Road, east-bound	471	514	-43	-8%
Gillygate, north-bound*	449	530	-81	-15%
Haxby Road, south-bound*	477	508	-31	-6%
Haxby Road, north-bound*	623	786	-163	-21%
Ouse Bridge, west-bound*	206	256	-50	-20%
Ouse Bridge, east-bound*	332	369	-37	-10%
Lendal Bridge, east-bound	532	577	-45	-8%
Blossom Street, north-bound	595	650	-55	-8%
Crichton Avenue, west-bound	148	134	14	10%
Exhibition Square, north-bound	524	557	-33	-6%
Monkgate, west-bound	292	329	-37	-11%
Monkgate, east-bound	816	735	81	11%
Wigginton Road, north-bound	598	606	-9	-1%
Wigginton Road, south-bound	768	851	-84	-10%

On the map, green lines show decreases in traffic flows, red lines show increased traffic flow.

Top of page

Direct engagement with landowners

We are engaging with landowners that may be affected by the scheme and we're keen to have discussions with any landowners who are willing to offer additional land for tree planting and landscaping.

Top of page

Public engagement

A public consultation took place in 2020.

As part of the consultation there was a virtual exhibition to provide residents with an opportunity to learn more about the proposals.

Information packs containing a letter, leaflets and a questionnaire were distributed to members of the public and businesses in specific postcode areas. In addition to this, there was also an online questionnaire which offered residents and businesses the opportunity to provide feedback.

Residents and stakeholders provided over 3,500 comments about the proposals. The consultation was then evaluated.

In September 2021, an Executive report was presented to the Council’s Executive. This provided information on the outcomes of the public engagement. A number of changes were recommended to the Council’s Executive. These changes were approved. Read the Executive Report.

The public engagement highlighted widespread support for the scheme's proposals. 79% of respondents supported the scheme proposals.

Some respondents provided feedback around facilities at some locations for pedestrians and cyclists. Following this feedback, a number of proposals to improve active travel were then included in the scheme.

Top of page

Construction stages and duration

Subject to the necessary approvals, construction work on the York Outer Ring Road is anticipated to take 2 years to complete.

The scheme involves the construction of a bridge over the York to Scarborough railway line, and another over the River Foss.

The majority of the widening will be constructed to the north of the existing A1237 Ring Road and will be off-highway, which will allow the existing 2-way traffic flow to be maintained for the majority of the construction stage, minimising any disruption to the travelling public.

Further updates relating to construction activities will be provided as the scheme develops.

Order of construction work

The order in which construction will take place will depend upon how the contractor who wins the tender for construction chooses to carry out the works. Much of the widening works will be carried out “offline” without affecting the flow of the existing A1237.

Overnight works

It is anticipated that the majority of the construction work will be carried out during daylight hours, although there will be some work done at night. We'll keep noise and disruption to any nearby properties as low as possible. Access for emergency services will always be maintained.

Top of page

Sustainable practices

We're committed to sustainable construction practises and will seek to re-use or recycle construction materials and earthworks on-site where possible or seek to re-use materials on other highway schemes across the City. By aiming to divert construction waste which would normally head straight to landfill we could help to reduce costs.

We also aim to utilise green site accommodation, which is better insulated and includes a range of energy saving measures and solar panels.

The planning application and associated Environmental Statement are available to view on the Planning Access Portal, using the search reference 22/02020/FULM.

Top of page