Poppleton Park & Ride site improvements outlined

Cabinet Members will be asked to approve plans to appropriate a small area of land adjacent to the proposed Poppleton Bar Park & Ride site, which will be used for junction improvements.

On Tuesday 17th July, Members will be asked to approve plans to change the use of a small area of land at Poppleton which is currently being used for agricultural purposes, but is registered as a village green.

If approved, the appropriation will facilitate the redevelopment of the land to deliver an improved arrangement for the junction of Northfield Lane and the A59 in connection with the proposed Poppleton Bar Park & Ride site and to improve access for other local businesses in the area.

Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said:

"If approved the additional land will enable a separate left turn lane out of North Field Lane to be provided. An application to vary the Park & Ride site layout approved in the existing planning consent, to reduce the impact on the main part of the village green, will be submitted shortly. The principal changes involve moving the bus access road and car parking areas clear of the village green area.

"The provision of the Park & Ride site provides an opportunity to make use of the village green area as a high quality community asset for the first time.

"The changes to the site layout are not expected to significantly affect the overall delivery programme or cost of the Park & Ride project. The aim is still to commence construction in early 2013."

The original layout of the Poppleton Park & Ride site was granted planning consent in 2010. The area to be appropriated represents 2% of the registered green, and will be replaced by an equivalent extension elsewhere on the site.

Last year, City of York Council successfully bid for £22m from Department of Transport to fund one of the largest single investments in the city's transport infrastructure since the northern ring road was built.

The council's successful bid will be used to replace Askham Bar Park & Ride site with a larger facility and to create a new site on the A59 near Poppleton.