City centre footfall up 60% compared to last August
The York Council delayed responding to a Freedom of information request until just 5 minutes after a key Lendal Bridge decision was taken yesterday.
After the meeting had concluded it emerged that the effect of the closure on City Centre businesses last year had been more substantial than had previously been revealed.
The Lendal Bridge restrictions were in place from 27th August 2013 to 1st April 2014.
Camera enforcement on Coppergate started on 15th August 2013
During the earlier part of the restriction period footfall – measured by a camera in Parliament Street – showed a significant decline peaking at -12% during September.
The situation improved only during March when a 14% increase was recorded comparing 2014 with 2013.
However, since the camera enforcement was stopped on 1st April 2014, visitor numbers have soared.
- April 2014 up 29% on previous year
- May 2014 up 21%
- June 2014 up 25%
- July 2015 up 33%
- Aug (to 25th) up 60%
These figures are far higher than might be accounted for solely by the economic recovery.
Fortunately they do seem to suggest that the City’s reputation has not been permanently damaged.
A failure by the Council to refund all fines which were imposed unlawfully could change that picture.
The failure to provide information in a timely way – and prevent some Councillors from seeing key legal advice on the Lendal Bridge issue – may lead to the York Council Leadership being reported to the Local Government Ombudsman