Rat-run speed limit halved amid safety concerns

Black Dike Lane's speed limit will be reduced from 60mph to 30mph

The speed limit on a country road on the outskirts of York are set to be halved amid safety concerns.

Black Dike Lane, which runs between the A59 and Upper Poppleton, was described by residents as a "rat-run" which had caused accidents.

The road currently has a speed limit of 60mph (96 km/h), but at a meeting on Monday, City of York Council approved plans for that to be reduced to 30mph (58 km/h) - and 20mph (32 km/h) near the junction with Manor Close.

The change came after those living in the area lodged a petition in 2021 asking for further safety measures to be brought in on the road.

'Getting worse'

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, local resident Peter Barron told the transport meeting that drivers using the road as a shortcut had threatened the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, including children.

Mr Barron said he and others had seen several accidents on the road and he had picked up debris from a crash near his home.

"In the morning, traffic comes from the Harrogate direction and it uses Black Dike Lane as a rat-run to get to the Outer Ring Road," he said.

"Lorries and coaches have also come down the road, which is shared with children, teenagers and cyclists.

"This has been going on for a few years and it's getting worse."

New signs

Councillor Kate Ravilious said the proposed changes aimed to make communities along Black Dike Lane "more liveable", adding that traffic cutting through Upper Poppleton should also be reviewed.

The approval of the danger reduction scheme, which was set to cost an estimated £20,000, also included new signs and road markings, the meeting was told.

The signs would warn of the road's unsuitability to HGVs and advise pedestrians about the lack of pavement.

No crashes involving injuries had been recorded in Black Dike Lane, but figures on damage-only incidents had not been collected, councillors heard.

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