York Road traffic restriction to be lifted

Published Friday, 11th December 2020

A temporary ban on vehicles other than buses, bicycles and yellow taxis from using York Road, between Victoria Road and Park Road, is to be lifted from Monday (December 14th).

Hartlepool Borough Council says that having listened to businesses and residents, it has decided to bring the six-month trial to an end after three months.

The Department for Transport-funded initiative - in force daily from 10am-4pm - aimed to reduce traffic flows and make it safer for pedestrians to step into the road to socially distance themselves from others during peak shopping hours. The trial was also designed to create a more attractive environment for active modes of travel such as cycling and walking.

Tony Hanson, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Director of Neighbourhoods and Regulatory Services, said: “Right from the very start, we made it clear that the trial would be subject to ongoing monitoring.

“Having consulted businesses prior to the introduction of the restriction, we felt it was appropriate to seek their views half way through the six-month experimental order. On listening to businesses and taking into account traffic surveys that have been undertaken, we feel it is appropriate to remove the restriction now rather than wait six months.

“The results of the trial will, however, be used to help us develop future sustainable travel initiatives across the town which will need to reflect people’s changing habits and the desire of many for a more sustainable, greener future.”