Everyone who lives and works in the great city of York knows it isn’t designed for car users – even the police and paramedics have to cycle round the city centre.
But now it’s being claimed that a ‘dramatic culture shift’ is needed to cut car use and tackle congestion because air pollution has been linked to scores of deaths every year.
Vehicle traffic around the city walls can be 'busy'
And in what is Britain’s second fastest growing city (after Milton Keynes) it’s thought the death toll could rise.
There have been attempts to tackle pollution blackspots in the city as car fumes from traffic tailbacks have contributed to high levels of nitrogen dioxide.
And now the man in charge of transport in the city, Coun Dave Merrett, says we need to see a major reduction in car use to help reduce congestion and air pollution.
That’s because pollution has been linked to an estimated 158 premature deaths in York every year.
Coun Merrett, who is York Council’s cabinet member for city strategy, says he wants traffic cut by five per cent in the next three years with attempts to promote alternative modes of transport, including walking, cycling and increased use of buses.
There are a number of issues here.
The number of deaths seems steep but I have not seen the raw data and wouldn’t like to be drawn on whether it’s accurate (and here I’m hoping that the figure hasn’t been boosted in a bid to bring in draconian changes).
Secondly, the bus fares have just gone up again so that’s another disincentive.
Third, the council has deliberately set the traffic lights to create jams and backlogs – change the traffic lights, ease traffic flow and help the city move.
Fourth: lead from the front and ban all council staff and councillors from using cars and vans. No exceptions.
There’s no point creating a situation then bringing in mass changes without first showing how you would be affected.
If it’s good enough for the council staff then I’m on board with what they want to do.
I cycle a lot in the centre anyway and use the bus frequently but not when taking a family – and that Mr Merrett is where your good intentions will fall down.
While it’s cheaper to drive and park (though I realise you are trying to kill off visitor numbers with the extortionate parking charges in York) people will always vote with their wallets.
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