COUNCIL chiefs have insisted there are no plans to pedestrianise York’s Duncombe Place — despite a new video showing it re-paved and free of vehicles.

One clip in the video features pedestrians, a cyclist and a skateboarder in the middle of the road which leads up to York Minster, while another shows an apparent carnival parade moving along the road.

A council spokeswoman said the video, which can be seen at york.gov.uk/citycentreimprovements, was intended to illustrate a “vision for York’s future” after many vehicles are banned from using Lendal Bridge during the day next month.

“It’s an example of how we could improve the pedestrian flow in this area – there are no plans for Duncombe Place to be pedestrianised and it would be incorrect to say so,” said a council spokeswoman.

“The images we used in the video are impressions and clearly shot in that way – we don’t envisage the space hosting a carnival every day, yet our public spaces will be better suited to do so in the future.”

But Tory group leader Ian Gillies criticised the video, claiming it was an example of the spin being used to support the Lendal Bridge closure and branding it an appalling waste of money.

“It’s convoluting the truth to get what they want,” he claimed. “People are not stupid and will see through it, although some may initially be confused.”

The spokeswoman said that as well as this video, the authority was producing a package of materials to promote both the city centre and Reinvigorate York visions.

“The package includes leaflets, artists impressions, business and resident events etc at a cost of approximately £4,000, which outline the wider long-term vision and encourages people to feedback their views,” she said.

She added that a number of drop-in consultation events would be taking place in Parliament Street in a public exhibition unit opposite Marks & Spencer, on August 7 and 8, September 11 and 12 and October 5.

The i-Travel website itravelyork.info has advice on journey planning for the Lendal Bridge closure and alternative modes of transport. This advice will also be available in person from the iTravel team in Parliament Street on Saturday August 10 and Saturday August 17.