Residents call on council to change plans stopping them driving to/from their homes for 3 weeks
Residents of Low Mill Close are calling on City of York Council not to go ahead with a temporary road closure that would stop cars and vans driving to their homes during the working day for up to 3 weeks.
Low Mill Close is a cul-de-sac on Badger Hill with the proposed closure affecting the only road access.
Last week residents received a leaflet from East Coast Construction (ECC) informing them that “we will be starting drainage works in the area on 27th July 2026. The drainage connection from the new Minster View (Persimmon Homes) site will… join the existing manhole on Low Mill Close. When the work starts on Low Mill Close there will be a road closure in place from 0900-1600hrs Monday to Friday. As a resident you are eligible for one free (residents parking) permit … which allows for an additional vehicle to be parked on street during the duration of the works.”
ECC can be contacted at adoptions@eccne.co.uk.
On Friday 17th July a notice was published in the local newspaper and on lampposts in the affected area informing residents that city of York Council are going to make an order under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 which would put the 3-week closure into effect.
Local residents were shocked at receiving the leaflet and seeing the notices put up by the council as there has been no consultation beforehand.
Local Liberal Democrat campaigner Andrew Mortimer, who has been supporting the residents said “The proposals for managing the road closure seem to have been put together solely to make the works as easy and cheap as possible for the contractor with no regard for the impact on residents. Apart from maintaining emergency access residents would either be unable to use their car or would need to try and find a parking place somewhere else on Badger Hill. 28 properties are affected and as many as 40 vehicles may need to park elsewhere. No consideration has been given to the disruption this closure will mean especially for carers who visit residents’ multiple times each day or for blue badge holders who can’t walk to the alternative parking.”
Residents gathered on Sunday 19th July to protest the council’s proposed ban and to sign a formal objection asking the council not to issue any order removing access to Low Mill Close until the following has happened:
- Full consultation has taken place with residents about the impact of a road closure.
- Arrangements are put in place to allow 24/7 access for emergencies, essential tasks and residents who have no alternative but to drive to their home. This includes for blue badge holders, residents who need to drive to medical appointments, those who rely on deliveries to their home, visits from carers and those who have contractors scheduled to undertake works.
- Clearly marked alternative parking is identified for those residents who can park elsewhere, with the full cost to be met by the contractor for those who need to park more than 1 vehicle away from their home.
Lib Dem campaigner Luke Draper said “we have spoken to many residents of Low Mill Close about the issue. One told us that ‘The Parking proposal is totally unacceptable. It would be difficult to find a space. The walking distance to the car would be impossible for some and difficult for others. This could actually put lives at risk. We have recently had to take residents and visitors for medical treatment and this is threatened by the closure proposal.’
Another resident said that 'my husband relies on his car and has a blue badge to help him get around. He can’t walk to the nearest alternative parking space as it could be more than quarter of a mile away. Some residents will have to park a long way from their home as many local roads have yellow lines which prevent parking at exactly the time the proposed closure is to take place.”
Andrew Mortimer concluded “The lack of consultation has been a real problem. The contractors have had to put out a couple of leaflets trying to respond to residents’ concerns and there has been nothing from the council, despite them having 12 weeks’ notice of the proposed closure. City of York Council needs to take a look at what it asks applicants to do. Many other local authorities issue guidance which asks contractors to talk to residents about their plans and to try and address any concerns they have. This doesn’t happen in York. We are calling on the council to review their guidance and follow best practice to ensure that engagement with residents is one of the first things that happens.”