TOP cricket commentator David Lloyd has revealed he was left stumped by the Lendal Bridge traffic trial ahead of a visit to York.

The Sky pundit – whose commentating catchphrase is “start the car” and whose wife, Diana, comes from York – appealed to his 340,000 twitter followers for help to cross the city without ending up on a sticky wicket because of the six-month experiment, during which £60 fines are being issued to drivers who flout the rules.

Lloyd also tweeted that there were not enough signs advertising the restrictions, which ban cars, vans and motorbikes using the bridge between 10.30am and 5pm, and that they were “very. very confusing for visitors”.

The former England and Lancashire batsman, whose nickname in the commentary box is Bumble, is part of Sky’s team for the forthcoming Ashes series in Australia.

The Lendal Bridge trial runs until February 27. The Labour-controlled council claims it will cut pollution, encourage people to use other forms of transport and ease bus journeys, but opponents claim it is harming businesses and damaging York’s image.

In one tweet, Lloyd said: “Sat nav sends you over Lendal...Council love that...you get fined”. Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Ayre said: “Unfortunately, David Lloyd’s experience is typical of many other visitors to York since the closure of Lendal Bridge.

“Many tourists, unfamiliar with York, are either getting lost trying to avoid the closure or inadvertently crossing Lendal Bridge and getting fined.

“I have been contacted by visitors who have received fines and vowed never to return to York.

“That is why Labour need to listen before any further damage is done to York’s reputation.”

Darren Richardson, the council’s director of city and environmental services, thanked David Lloyd for “helping to raise awareness” of the trial, which was given advance publicity through a city-wide consultation, leaflets to all households and a public exhibition.

Mr Richardson said: “Sat nav companies have advised us devices are not currently able to incorporate the restrictions because this is not a permanent scheme, but a comprehensive signage scheme was implemented to inform drivers of the restriction, including its timings and that it is to be enforced by cameras.”

He said there was a map of the signs at york.gov.uk and an online journey planner at itravelyork.info