Congestion charge considered as gridlock threatens historic city

Efforts to tackle traffic tailbacks in the North Yorkshire city are now being intensified following an estimate that the number of vehicles on York's roads could increase by as much as 28 per cent by 2021.

Councillors have admitted that continuing with York's existing transport policies is not an option.

They are now looking in detail at the possibility of introducing a congestion charge.

They have confirmed that experts – including the firm used to implement London scheme – are now being consulted.

A shortlist of four options – ranging in cost from 97m to 244m – is being analysed including schemes to boost public transport and encourage walking and cycling, as well as the possibility of road tolls.

Members of York Council's cross-party traffic congestion scrutiny committee have prepared a survey that is being sent out to the city's 90,000 households in the next fortnight to find out what people think about tackling the problem.

Committee chairman Councillor Dave Merrett, admitted that a "radical future solution" was needed to stop the city becoming gridlocked.

Two main traffic bottlenecks in need of major improvements are the western and northern sections of the city's outer ring road – which has been dubbed "Yorkshire's answer to the M25" by business experts.

Coun Merritt admitted that securing funding to finance improvements on the scale needed presents a "really serious challenge", especially at a time when public spending cuts are imminent.

But he added: "Based on the evidence, it is clear that the city has few choices that will really make a dent in the long-term growth of traffic and congestion in the city.

"Many measures only make a marginal difference that is soon swallowed up by further traffic growth.

"The committee agreed with officers' views that a radical future solution will be required if we are to avoid the further serious spread of congestion well outside the current problem areas, increasing delays and disruption to motorists and bus users, continuing air quality problems and negative effects on both the York economy and the quality of life in the city."

The possibility of road tolls emerged in October when the transport policy review began. Congestion charges and levies on car commuting into York are the most contentious ideas.

Councillors stressed that charging motorists would only be pursued if promoting environmentally-friendly methods of transport, including cycling, buses and trains, proved ineffective.

Some work has already started. Proposals were unveiled last month by the Council to improve the approach to Micklegate Bar, which dates from Roman times and is used by as many as 17,000 drivers a day.

More bus and cycle lanes and junction improvements are being put in place on Fulford Road.

The consultation lasts until March 26.