Meeting focus on community stadium congestion risks

The move by Liberal Democrat members for Huntington and New Earswick comes after the announcement earlier this month of Huntington Stadium as the preferred site for the new home to York City FC and York City Knights, plus community sporting events.

The project is also likely to see development on a nearby site to help fund the stadium. Huntington and New Earswick councillor Carol Runciman will be joined at today's meeting by ward colleagues Keith Hyman and Keith Orrell.

The councillors say they are supportive of the stadium project but want to make sure that concerns raised by local residents were taken into account.

Coun Orrell said residents had raised a number of issues and concerns about the stadium proposals, mainly relating to the increased traffic.

He added: "Clearly the biggest traffic issue will be related to the York City football games when there will be a number of people accessing the stadium at the same time."

"However, the stadium will be designed to be used by the whole community and so will be hosting many more events throughout the year, not just football and rugby games."

Coun Hyman said: "While the preferred site for the stadium has been chosen, detailed plans are still at a very early stage.

"I hope that by meeting with the council officers responsible for this project we will be able to ensure that traffic issues and the concerns of local residents are taken fully into account when the plans are being drawn up."

"The stadium has the potential to be a real boost for the local area but it is important that local residents are fully involved in the process and that their concerns are addressed."