Wheldrake Parish Council anger over road safety measure plan

Wheldrake Parish Council said it has spent more than 18 months waiting for vehicle-activated speed (VAS) road signs to be installed at the village’s entrances, after an agreement in principle was reached with City of York Council over where they could be put.

The Parish Council claimed the delays are at odds with parishes in neighbouring North Yorkshire Council, saying that once siting of signs is approved – usually withing three to four months – the local parish council can obtain the signs from manufacturers directly and get them installed.

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The news comes at the same time as the two-year anniversary of a Community Speed Watch (CSW) programme in the village, which Wheldrake Parish Council said was operated under the guidance of North Yorkshire Police.

A City of York Council spokesperson said no additional highways measures were recommended at the time of the launch of the CSW and funding has been secured for two signs to be installed in this financial year.

The parish council said since July 2024, there have been 55 CSW sessions monitoring 4,915 vehicles, with 125 drivers logged as speeding.

The parish council chair said it had an agreement in principle with City of York Council to site the VAR road signs at either end of Wheldrake (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Eight CSW sites are approved in the village, with Church Lane—approaching from Thorganby—recording the most speeding vehicles.

Sue Nelson, chair of Wheldrake Parish Council, said: “The lack of progress is infuriating, especially as 139 new homes are being built in the village, a scheme we supported as part of the parish’s contribution to the City of York’s need for more housing stock.

“This is obviously increasing the amount of traffic using the village, which is a busy route at the best of times.”

The parish councillors have offered to fund the signs in a bid to speed up the process but said City of York Council insists on handling procurement and installation itself.

Garry Taylor, director of city development at the city council, said: “We work closely with North Yorkshire Police to investigate concerns about speeding and identify the most appropriate response.

“Following concerns raised by Wheldrake Parish Council, North Yorkshire Police assessed the issue and supported the introduction of Community Speed Watch.

“No additional highway measures were recommended at that time.”

The parish council has requested alternative measures including angled gates and chicanes, but both were declined.

Ms Nelson said: “We’ve been told the only speed reduction tool we can have is the VAS signs, but after nearly two years of waiting where are they?

“We’re sick and tired of being fobbed off, especially as we’ve been trying hard to do our bit to reduce speed in the village.”

Mr Taylor said: “We can confirm that funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mayoral Transport Fund has been secured to install two signs in Wheldrake as part of a wider programme across the city during 2026/27.

“As the highway authority, we are responsible for procuring, installing, and maintaining traffic signs and equipment.

“This ensures installations are safe, meet required standards and are managed consistently across the city.”