York's transport record (From York Press)

1. Bus passenger numbers have increased over the 7 years since the LibDems took over the leadership of he Council
2. Labours original A59 Park and Ride site was regarded by many as in the wrong place. It now forms part of the New Manor school playing field. The work on the new Park and Ride site opposite the garden centre also involves major upgrades to the roundabout which in turn will ease traffic congestion in the area.
3. One of the differences between Labour and LibDem transport policies is that the latter are commited to upgrading the A1237. Labour were not (and must bear some of the blame for the current levels of congestion on that road). The new Moor Lane roundabout is rated as a success by users. As Dave Merrett does not drive he will probably never experience the improvement himself
4. The numbers cycling in and around the City has increased following the start of the LibDem programme of providing more "off carriageway" cycle paths
5. Dave Merrett was kicked out of office in 2003 when his scheme to introduce congestion charging into the City was unveiled.
6. Air quality in the City is no worse now than when Labour were in office. CO2 emmisions have been reduced.

I understand that the Rawcliffe Roundabout scheme is being funded by the Yorkshire/Humber Regional Rransport Board. Which pot is funding the A59 P&R, and have there been issues outside CoYC's control, which have reversed these two schemes? Please tell us, so that we can judge for ourselves.
It is time for cross-party concensus on Transport Planning in York. Embrace the advice that you receive from your Officers, despite its occasional political unpopularity. The growth in demand for car use can never be fully matched by capacity improvements. Let's all accept this sometimes unpalatable truth. Continue to follow Government advice and encourge modal shift voluntarily, through the expanded cycle network, P&R and bus priority schemes. And if that doesn't work within the decade, tell the electorate that you will take the bull by the horns, and introduce congestion charging.
A city with decent air quality, free flowing public transport and minimal private car use is not a dream. Political courage is all that's needed.

1. Bus passenger numbers have increased over the 7 years since the LibDems took over the leadership of he Council

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Forgive me for interrupting this little love fest but the letter writer does state 'paying' passengers libdem. Or is it just a case of you'll read what you want to read?

The numbers of bus passengers were increasing before the "free" elderly persons travel pass was introduced.
Now that the fares of he elderly are paid for by the Council (mostly using central government grant) you can't simply discount the 60+ age group from calculations

pedalling paul wrote:
I understand that the Rawcliffe Roundabout scheme is being funded by the Yorkshire/Humber Regional Rransport Board. Which pot is funding the A59 P&R, and have there been issues outside CoYC's control, which have reversed these two schemes? Please tell us, so that we can judge for ourselves. It is time for cross-party concensus on Transport Planning in York. Embrace the advice that you receive from your Officers, despite its occasional political unpopularity. The growth in demand for car use can never be fully matched by capacity improvements. Let's all accept this sometimes unpalatable truth. Continue to follow Government advice and encourge modal shift voluntarily, through the expanded cycle network, P&R and bus priority schemes. And if that doesn't work within the decade, tell the electorate that you will take the bull by the horns, and introduce congestion charging. A city with decent air quality, free flowing public transport and minimal private car use is not a dream. Political courage is all that's needed.

The 3 new park and ride sites - which include the A59 roundabout improvement - are a separately approved RTB funded scheme. They are effectively now awaiting formal Ministerial sign off. The project cost is around £25 million. They require planning permission as some of the work is "off highway".
The A19 roundabout improvement is being funded from a RTB underspend. This was worth £2 million to the Council but is only available until March 2011. After that the RTB budget is heavilly over-subscribed. The scheme has completed its pre-implementation processes and does not require planning permission because the works are entirely within the existing highway

What absolute claptrap. For all our sakes get off your self publicising, love yourself High Horses.
All the transport initiatives in the world won't cure your self delusions. All of you, not Lib, Lab, Tory or even Puddled Paul.
The Moor Lane Roundabout was another step too far in stupidity and non essential spending. All it needed was a no right turn, so all traffic joining the 1237 would not cross the flow of traffic and then carry on to the next roundabout and continue on their way. Before you even bluster a defence, neither the wetherby road nor the Askham Bryan roundabout cause unacceptable queues.
What is needed here is not to continue to follow government advice. I don't need to tell you where that has led us in the past.
What is needed is a fully dualled By - Pass in the same vein as the A64 south of York. "We can't afford it" "It will only encourage more cars"
For Paul to advocate the Council to "Tell" the electorate what they will do is a wonderfully Communist doctrine.
What will work is Consultation you berk, not your ideas that people don't know what's best for them, let alone your obvious communist or dictatorial views.
As for the Buses, don't you think it's about time we started to control them and not the other way round?
They want to operate in OUR City then as people who pay the piper they should play to our tune and not vice versa.
Stop playing politics with this and get on with doing something practical.

ak7274 wrote:
What absolute claptrap. For all our sakes get off your self publicising, love yourself High Horses. All the transport initiatives in the world won't cure your self delusions. All of you, not Lib, Lab, Tory or even Puddled Paul. The Moor Lane Roundabout was another step too far in stupidity and non essential spending. All it needed was a no right turn, so all traffic joining the 1237 would not cross the flow of traffic and then carry on to the next roundabout and continue on their way. Before you even bluster a defence, neither the wetherby road nor the Askham Bryan roundabout cause unacceptable queues. What is needed here is not to continue to follow government advice. I don't need to tell you where that has led us in the past. What is needed is a fully dualled By - Pass in the same vein as the A64 south of York. "We can't afford it" "It will only encourage more cars" For Paul to advocate the Council to "Tell" the electorate what they will do is a wonderfully Communist doctrine. What will work is Consultation you berk, not your ideas that people don't know what's best for them, let alone your obvious communist or dictatorial views. As for the Buses, don't you think it's about time we started to control them and not the other way round? They want to operate in OUR City then as people who pay the piper they should play to our tune and not vice versa. Stop playing politics with this and get on with doing something practical.

Hear, hear!

For the uninitiated, RTB is the Regional Transport Board..in our case for Yorkshire & Humber. They hand out grants from a Dept. for tTransport "pot" for major road rail and air schemes across the region. But like all such "pots," the Y&H one is well oversubscribed .

Dave Merrett allegates that the honourable member for foxwood has used his powers to benefit his constituents. Recently, I have suggested the lights at the Fox have been heavily tampered with to favour transport from Acomb (Foxwood) as opposed to traffic from the A59. Would any councillor like to comment?