Call for rethink on Hartlepool's York Road traffic system after pilot scheme scrapped early - one-way system suggested for Osborne Road and St Paul’s Road

A temporary ban on vehicles other than buses, bicycles and yellow taxis from using York Road, from Victoria Road to Park Road between 10am and 4pm, was lifted by Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs last week.

Requests from businesses and residents saw council bosses bring the six-month trial to an end after three months.

Cllr Lee Cartwright raised a motion at the latest full council meeting for any future planned projects such as this to go to full consultation with councillors and residents before being implemented.

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Cllr Mike Young added a review of traffic in the area around Osborne Road and St Paul’s Road should also take place, noting the York Road restrictions highlighted issues in the area.

He was supported by other councillors in asking for a review to see if a one-way system could be put in place around the streets, which was referred to a future meeting of the Neighbourhood Services Committee to look at.

Cllr Young, deputy council leader, said: “I think there were a number of us who had concerns about the York Road closure.

“I think the overarching issue for me was the amount of traffic that was then pushed on to ancillary and smaller roads, not least St Paul’s Road and Osborne Road, and I think it highlights another point.

“That we review the flow of traffic on St Paul’s Road and Osborne Road, particularly at that chicane, and I will call it a chicane because it is often used as one, and look for maybe a single flow of traffic in one direction.”

Cllr Marjorie James added she was ‘amazed’ there had not been a serious accident around the roads previously.

She said: “That Osborne Road, St Paul’s Road ‘S’ shape is absolutely lethal.

“I’m absolutely amazed that we’ve never had either a major pile up with vehicles or a pedestrian being seriously injured at that point.

“It’s a blind bend in both directions virtually and both for a pedestrian walking and for people driving it’s dangerous to both, and it desperately needs to be dealt with.”

Cllr Cartwright originally began the motion by stressing the importance of ensuring residents have their say on any future similar schemes in the borough, which was unanimously backed by councillors.

He said: “The people of Hartlepool simply didn’t need these restrictions or want these restrictions in York Road.

“Ultimately it’s the people of Hartlepool who we represent and likewise I think it’s only fair that they have the say.”

He had originally intended to raise a motion calling for the removal of the York Road restrictions, however this was done in the week leading up to the meeting.

Cllr John Tennant, chair of neighbourhood services committee, said the York Road restrictions were purely a temporary measure in response to Covid-19, and was the first trial of its type in Hartlepool.

He added the council was keen to observe if a sustained change in travel habits could be realised in the area, and it was always the council’s intention to review the scheme at the point they did.

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