Vision of country parks to circle city

A LONG-TERM vision for the future of York could see the introduction a series of country parks circling the city to work in tandem with park and ride schemes to lure motorists away from a reliance on their cars.

An economic masterplan has been drawn up during the last 12 months and will drive forward multi-million-pound developments over the next 30 years, while also attempting to solve major problems including traffic tailbacks and a lack of affordable housing.

It is being heralded as the most important strategy for the city since Lord Esher’s groundbreaking study on conservation was published in 1969.

Among the key ideas are proposals for six new country parks around the outer ring road that would combine with park and ride schemes to become destinations in themselves.

It is hoped the parks project would help to persuade motorists to leave the cars at the park and ride sites before heading into the city centre, and the green spaces would also be connected by strays, cycleways and pedestrian pathways.

Other plans include a Great Street to unite the city’s civic, cultural, natural and educational amenities by establishing a main route running through the heart of York, connecting the university to the east to the York Central development site to the west.

The York Economic Vision – New City Beautiful report has also outlined a need to promote the River Ouse and River Foss, which are both entwined in York’s heritage, with new river frontages, open spaces and river walks.

York Council’s executive met on Tuesday and agreed the study should be given further consideration while preparing the city’s new planning blueprint before a public consultation is launched.

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