The Lendal Bridge trial has been axed. And not before time, say critics. As soon as the trial was announced, it sparked a wave of controversy. So what went wrong?
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1 - Right from day 1, the signs sparked controversy. Some referred only to August 27, there was concern tourists wouldn’t know which bridge was Lendal Bridge, and there were many claims the earlier signs in particular were unclear or liable to being obscured by buses or lorries.
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2 - Tens of thousands of tourists were fined, potentially damaging York’s reputation as a tourist city. Visit York voiced major concerns, and many tourists wrote to The Press saying they would not come back.
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3 - The “restricted access” message painted on the road was unclear and did not specify which traffic was banned, or when, said critics.
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4 - SatNav companies were unwilling to adapt their systems to warn of the restriction, until and unless it became permanent, meaning many drivers were directed to the bridge before they knew of the restriction.
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5 - Many felt the restriction simply moved congestion elsewhere, leading to tailbacks on other roads around the city.
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6 - The benefit for bus passengers was unconvincing – a report in February said seven of York’s ten Park&Ride services were actually taking longer than before the trial.
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7 - Businesses reacted angrily to the move, saying they had suffered. York Retail Forum said there had been a “distinct downturn” in city-centre trade.
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8 - Previously-secret emails released under the Freedom of Information Act showed confusion within the council throughout the trial
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9 - A bodyblow to the project came when traffic adjudicator Stephen Knapp said the council had “no power” to issue fines on the bridge.
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10 - In the end, electoral considerations became a key factor – Labour councillors told The Press they feared the move could cost them the next election. Hours later, the scheme was axed.
>> Not convinced it was all that bad? Here are 10 arguments FOR the trial.
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