Investment could be made to the riverside path linking Scarborough Bridge with Leeman Road, and residents are being urged by a local councillor to make their views known as a public consultation is launched.

Holgate ward’s Labour councillors have been pushing the council for years to secure investment in the riverside path to address a number of issues, from inaccessibility due to flooding, to improved lighting and seating along the route.

Cllr Kallum Taylor said:

“We’re pleased that this seems to be finally progressing as it’s taken years of lobbying from us as Ward Councillors to get the Council to this point. The modest, but necessary, improvements to address the flaws of this route would make a massive difference here for so many people every day. We strongly encourage all interested residents to engage positively with the consultation and, equally, expect the Council to listen to them and see this scheme through properly. We’ve come too far on this to end up with half-measures and the pending closure of Leeman Road only increases the importance of the project.”

The consultation runs until 8th January and will include two drop-in sessions at St Barnabas Church in Jubilee Terrace on 10th and 13th December (further details below).

Ward councillors say the investment is essential given the impact the closure of Leeman Road will have on residents’ ability to easily access the city centre. They argue it represents a small contribution when compared with the major impact the York Central development will have on their daily lives.

Local resident Lucy Steels-Walshaw said:

“My family and I use this route multiple times every day. Most of the time it’s lovely but the improvements being looked at are long overdue and the Council must deliver on them – especially given its support for the closure of Leeman Road will significantly increase our community’s reliance on it as a link to and from their city centre.”