Less than 3 weeks before the Council implements its Lendal Bridge closure, they have scheduled a series of drop in sessions at which residents can raise concerns.

The first was taking place today in the council’s exhibition unit which is outside M&S on Parliament St. It will be there on the following dates.

* 12 noon – 7pm on Wednesday 7 August
* 7.30am – 1.30pm on Thursday 8 August

* 12 noon – 7pm on Wednesday 11 September
* 7.30am -1.30pm on Thursday 12 September
* 10am – 4pm on Saturday 5 October

The Council claims to have produced a leaflet which should have been delivered with Local Link. This somewhat flawed delivery process which has been criticised in the past. The leaflet is available to view by clicking here
Councillors have apparently been given bundles of the leaflets to use in fending off irate constituents.

Two business briefing sessions are being held to inform the businesses and retail community on where they can find out more about the trial and ask any questions, on:

* 3pm on Wednesday 14 August at City of York Council’s West Offices

* 6pm on Wednesday 14 August at West Offices

Many businesses – including in particular City centre hotels – have already raised concerns that it is too late to warn many of their guests and customers about the proposed closure dates and times.

They have asked the Council to ensure that Sat Nav companies to update their software to reflect the closure times. So far they have had no response.

Many want the kind of hotel direction signs – popular on the continent – introduced in York.

All in all, this is a rushed initiative which needed a lot more preparatory work and at least some public consultation.

The closure is initially for six month’s from 27 August during daytime hours (10.30am to 5pm), Lendal Bridge will only be open to pedestrians, cyclists, buses, taxis, and emergency vehicles.