Simon Hughes MP and Cllr Keith Aspden
York Liberal Democrats will formally call for Lendal Bridge to reopen at a council meeting later this month.
The council’s six month trial closure was due to end on the 27th February, but Labour have extended the restrictions indefinitely as they are yet to make a decision on whether the bridge should reopen.
Since the closure started in August over 45,000 motorists have been fined for crossing the bridge and the trial has been attacked by businesses, residents and tourist groups. The latest figures show that traffic levels on Foss Islands Road and Water End at Clifton Bridge have increased while the trial has failed to improve overall bus times or air quality.
Liberal Democrat Minister Simon Hughes MP on a visit at the weekend met with York’s Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Keith Aspden and backed the calls to reopen Lendal Bridge.
Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on City of York Council, commented:
“It is time for Labour to stop dithering and end the trial closure of Lendal Bridge. They said it would be a six month trial and they should stick to that.
“It is clear that the closure has failed to achieve its aims of improving overall bus times and council officers have admitted that it is having little impact on air quality as congestion is just moving elsewhere in the city.
“Our motion calls on Labour to immediately lift the restrictions and fully publish the raw data on the trial. They should then listen to residents and local businesses and address the legitimate concerns that have been raised over the last six months before bringing forward their long-term plans for the city-centre network.”
Liberal Democrat Justice Minister Simon Hughes MP, former Liberal Democrat President and Deputy Leader, commented:
“York Labour council needs to listen to the concerns raised by local residents and businesses about the closure of Lendal Bridge. I have heard about the problems the closure has caused and I fully support the local Liberal he Liberal Democrats will move their motion calling on the Lendal Bridge restrictions to be lifted at York’s Full Council meeting on Thursday, 27th March 6.30pm at the Guildhall.