A CROSS party committee of City of York Council could be about to launch a review of the botched Lendal Bridge closure trial, after a newly re-elected councillor forced the issue onto the agenda.

Andrew Waller was elected councillor for Westfield in mid October, and became chairman of the influential Economic and City Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee shortly after.

Now, papers published for his first meeting in charge include a scoping report on a possible Lendal Bridge review.

Cllr Waller said: "There are lessons that need to be learned from the closure. Information needs to be recorded whilst it is still relatively fresh in the minds and emails of officers and Cabinet members. I appreciate that there is a limited amount of time left in the remainder of the council year, but efficient and effective scrutiny could take place as most of the key people involved are within the council."

He said he wanted to see the committee vote openly on whether to start its own review of the issue.

The review was requested by Liberal Democrat councillors in June, but was opposed by Labour councillors including James Alexander and Dave Merrett.

The new report, written by a scrutiny officer for the committee, said the earlier committee had thought any review they carried out could not add to the planned Congestion Commission.

But now committee memberships on the council have been rebalanced, giving no party an overall majority and meaning opposition parties can together out vote the ruling Labour group, the next meeting in mid November could see the review forced through.

The scoping report reveals that 7,783 refund applications have been made so far, and £162,000 on refunds - out of £708,000 set aside by the council.

It goes on to recommend that the merits of the bridge closure, as a way to reduce congestion in York, are not included in the scrutiny review so it does not overlap with the Congestion Commission.

The decision on whether to launch the review will be taken at a meeting on Wednesday, November 12.