Labour councillor slams city traffic plan over pollution

The draft version of the Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3), which contains detailed proposals up to 2015 and future plans as far as 2031, has been published by York Council. Residents have until the end of the week to comment on the proposals before they go before the executive in February.

The plans include improvements to the York Northern Bypass and the A64, an expansion of park and ride schemes, better bus services and to further boost the numbers of cyclists already up by nearly 50 per cent in recent years.

But despite acknowledging the worsening problem of air pollution caused by thousands of vehicles snaking through the city's historic streets each day, the LTP3 says investigations into a low emission zone for the city centre will not take place until 2015 and it will be more than 10 years until anything is implemented.

Councillor Dave Merrett, York Labour Group's spokesman on city strategy, said: "I'm very disappointed with the proposals.

"This is an urgent problem but they are saying they are only going to start looking into this in 2015 and do nothing for 10 years.

"There are currently six air quality blackspots in York and an estimated 160 premature deaths due to air traffic pollution every year - it's a scandal."

Coun Steve Galloway, executive member for city strategy, said the LTP3 represented real progress for York, despite being drawn up under severe budget constraints.

"We are doing what we can with the resources that we have", he said.

"We have a very successful transport plan in York already in place and our park and ride schemes are among the most successful in the country.

"We are also investing with our public transport partners in improved bus services and an extension of the present trial of low-emission buses."

Residents have until Friday to write written representations on the draft - which is available on the council website.

Councillor Galloway will then review the draft before it goes before the full executive on February 15.