York set to be the first UK city to BAN all private car journeys in bid to be carbon neutral by 2030
YORK is set to become the first city in the UK to ban private car journeys.
In radical new proposals the city council is looking to stop all ‘non essential’ car journeys taking place within the city walls by 2023.
The idea follows the lead taken by Bristol City Council in November which agreed to ban diesel cars from entering the city centre by 2021.
York is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2030 – 20 years sooner than the UK’s national target.
More than 200,000 people live in and around the city which also attracts millions of tourist each year.
Councillors have acknowledged they will not be able to achieve the goal unless they take “difficult and ambitious steps”.
According to York Press Labour councillor Jonny Crawshaw said the ban was not aimed to stop people from visiting the city or to stop residents from owning a car.
He said: “This is about reducing and removing non-essential car journeys across the whole city, whilst improving the range and attractiveness of alternative travel options.
“Fewer cars on York’s roads would enable faster, more reliable public transport from the suburbs and villages into the city centre.
“Fewer cars on the roads would make cycling feel safer and more viable option for more people.”
The plans were approved by the council who will now look for a way to implement the ban over the next three years.
They will also look to stop more ‘non-essential’ car journeys on roads at the city’s schools at pick-up and drop-off time.
Mr Crawshaw added those who rely on car travel such as disabled residents would be exempt from the ban. Buses would also be exempt.
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