The way we were – 2011

  • The new Barbican auditorium opened. It is now run by the private sector with no Council subsidy.
  • Labour gained an overall majority at the Council elections and promptly changed the Councils budget priorities. They approved proposals to reduce the size of recycling containers.
  • May 2011-Labour announce plans to sell off the Union Terrace car park to St. Johns University. There is massive public opposition The University later pull out of the deal and the plan is abandoned   

    Attempted sale of Union Terrace car park

    Attempted sale of Union Terrace car park

  • June 2011-Labour give their first indication that they plan to build on the Green Belt
  • July 2011-The Lowfield care village plans are published. Public consultation is to follow. Four years later the project is to collapse costing taxpayers over £350,000. Labour confirm their plans for a “signed only” 20 mph speed limit Public reaction is overwhelmingly negative.
  • August 2011-Redevelopment of the British Sugar site stalls
  • September 2011-The Council announce plans to close their branch office in Acomb. The closure hastens the economic decline of the Front Street area. The local social care budget deficit hits £1.6 million and chaos hits the care homes plan
  • October 2011–A record fall in bus use in York is revealed as Labour try to force the ftr off roads
  • November 2011-Labour close the Haymarket car park losing £300,000 a year in income. There are calls for Labour Councillors to be frank about their trades union sponsorship arrangements. The Coalition Government gives the “go ahead” for two new park and ride sites in the City.
  • December 2011–secret plans for new access routes into the York North West development are leaked. The Council is set to abandon its historic Guildhall home. A spoof obituary goes viral on internet.
Dringhouses Focus Feb 2012 click to enlarge

Dringhouses Focus Feb 2012 click to enlarge

90% say “lift Lendal Bridge access restrictions”

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

An overwhelming majority of residents have given the thumbs down to the current closure restrictions on Lendal Bridge.

Responding to a survey carried out by the Liberal Democrats, in the Dringhouses, Woodthorpe and Hob Moor areas, only 8% have said that the trial is a success.

90% want the restrictions to be removed.

A massive 95% say that traffic congestion in the City has got worse over recent months.

The results underpin the findings from other sources.

Over 35,000 penalty notices have been issued since the Lendal Bridge and Coppergate ANPR cameras were installed.

Stand and deliver Labour adopt traditional approach to transport funding in York

Stand and deliver
Labour adopt traditional approach to transport funding in York


The influential “Trip Advisor” web site has logged a large number of complaints from visitors who are vowing never to visit the City again.

A Facebook page has also been set up by opponents of the restrictions.

The Council leadership continue to maintain an air of lofty indifference to resident’s views prompting new calls for a referendum on the future of the restrictions.

An opportunity to test resident’s views, at a reasonable cost, will come on 22nd May when European Parliament elections are already scheduled to take place.

By then, however, some traders may have been forced to close as City centre shopper numbers continue to fall.

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There is no consolation for the Council’s Leadership from residents other responses to the survey.

88% say there is no justification for Labours plans to build on the Green Belt, while 80% remain opposed to a wide area 20 mph speed limit.

Most damming verdict comes from the 93% who believe that public service standards have got worse since Labour took office.

No one who has responded so far believes that standards have got better.