Fears that congestion stifling city economy

The Conservative MP for York Outer, Julian Sturdy, has established a working group to discuss the pressing transport infrastructure problems which he claimed are threatening York’s economic competitiveness.

He was joined by the Labour MP for York Central, Hugh Bayley, yesterday for the first discussions with leading business figures. Officials from both York Council and North Yorkshire County Council were also present.

Mr Sturdy said: “I am determined that this working group will be strictly non-political and rather an expression of local businesses’ concerns.

“Our great city has enormous potential for the future, but it will be undermined unless we are able to tackle some of our pressing transport infrastructure problems. As such I firmly believe that this working group is a positive starting point as we look to draw up a list of key transport priorities across York.”

The meeting was attended by representatives from Visit York, York Racecourse and the Federation of Small Businesses as well as York University, Science City York and the York Economic Partnership. Members of the Shepherd Group, Northminister Business Park and Cellhire PLC also took part in the discussions, which focused on how to secure funding for transport schemes.

Another meeting will be held in the summer before a final list of recommendations is drawn up. The list will then be submitted to both the York Council and the Secretary of State for Transport before lobbying for funding starts.

The Yorkshire Post revealed in December last year that senior councillors had warned a dramatic culture shift is needed to cut car use and tackle congestion in York after air pollution has been linked to scores of deaths every year.

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